Attending this year’s Brigg’s Equipment North West 200? Here’s everything you need to know about traffic and travel to the circuit, including road closure times, practice/race schedule and parking.
WHERE IS THE NORTH WEST 200 HELD?
The world famous North West 200 is held on the connecting roads between Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine. The Triangle circuit normally takes 15-20 minutes to drive. On race day, the riders do it in less than 5! Riders race along the stunning North Coast, cutting through towns and accelerating to over 200mph in the countryside.
WHERE CAN I WATCH THE RACES FROM?
The are a number of vantage points around the circuit, many which have catering and toilet facilities. See the map below to map for where to watch from on race day.
WHAT TIME DO THE ROADS CLOSE?
Wednesday 8th May Practice 9am – 3pm Thursday 9th May Practice 9am – 3pm Thursday 9th May Evening Racing 4.45pm – 9pm Saturday 11th May Race Day 9am – 7pm
Roads comprising the Course
• Route B185 (Station Road – Cromore Road), from its junction with Portrush Road, Portstewart, Route A2, to its junction with University Park, Coleraine Unclassified No.3522.
• Route A29, Ring Road Coleraine, from its junction with Cromore Road, Route B185, to its junction with Bushmills Road Roundabout, Route A29.
• Route A29 (Atlantic Road – Coleraine Road – Eglinton Street), from its junction with Burn Road, Coleraine, Unclassified No.3526, to its junction with Sandhill Drive, Portrush, Unclassified No.3543.
• Route A2 (Portstewart Road – Dhu Varren – Ballyreagh Road – Portrush Road – Portmore Road) from its junction with Coleraine Road, Portrush, Route A29, to its junction with Atlantic Circle, Portstewart, Unclassified No.3534.
• Unclassified No.3303 Glenmanus Road, Portrush, from its junction with Glenvale Crescent, Unclassified No.3545, for a distance of 100 metres in a southerly direction.
• Route A2 Crocknamack Road, Portrush, from its junction with Eglinton Street, Unclassified No.3543, to its junction with Hopefield Avenue, Unclassified No.3304.
WHAT IS THE PRACTICE SCHEDULE?
There will be a series of practice sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, with sessions scheduled to begin at 9.45am approx.
Wednesday 8th May
1st Session NEWCOMERS 9.45am
2nd Session SUPERBIKE 10.30am
3rd Session SUPERSPORT 11.45am
4th Session SUPERSTOCK 12.45pm
5th Session SUPERTWIN 1.45pm
Thursday 9th May
1st Session SUPERBIKE 9.45am
2nd Session SUPERSPORT 11am
3rd Session SUPERSTOCK 12 noon
4th Session SUPERTWIN 1pm
*All times are approximate
WHAT IS THE RACE SCHEDULE?
The first three races of the week will take place on Thursday evening, with the first scheduled to start at 5.30pm approx.
Thursday 9th May
Race 1 BRIGGS EQUIPMENT SUPERBIKE RACE (4 LAPS) 5.30pm
Race 2 FRASER HOMES SUPERSPORT RACE (4 LAPS) 6.30pm
Race 3 AMICI RISTORANTE SUPERSTOCK RACE (4 LAPS) 7.15pm
Saturday is the main race day with a six-race schedule, culminating with the coveted Superbike Race. Racing is due to get underway from 10am approx.
Saturday 11th May
Race 1 MILLTOWN SERVICE STATION SUPERTWIN RACE (4 LAPS) 10am
Race 2 ANCHOR BAR SUPERBIKE RACE (6 LAPS)
Race 3 TIDES RESTAURANT SUPERSPORT RACE (6 LAPS)
Race 4 CP HIRE SUPERSTOCK RACE (6 LAPS)
Race 5 JOHN M PATTERSON SUPERTWIN RACE (4 LAPS)
Race 6 MERROW HOTEL AND SPA SUPERBIKE RACE (6 LAPS)
*All times are approximate
WHERE CAN I PARK?
There are a number of official car parks around the circuit. All car parks are clearly marked with signage. Once vehicles are parked in the official car parks, they cannot be removed while the road closure is in place.
The two main carparks are positioned on the Coast Road, one beside the Inn On The Coast and secondly, The Golf Course beside the Paddock. These car parks for the use of cars and bikes only - no motorhomes or vans will be permitted.
Please note that both these carparks are ticket only. Tickets can be purchased through Buy TicketApp. You can get the app on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Other car & bike parks can be found in the following locations:
• Opposite Portrush Police Station - Bike Parking
• West Bay Car Park at Metropole, Portrush - Car & Bike Parking
• Ballyreagh Golf Course (opposite Inn On The Coast Hotel) - Bike Parking
• Quarry Hill - Cars
The cost per day for both car parks are:
• Cars - Wednesday, Thursday, Friday - £10 and Saturday - £15
• Bikes - Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday - £5 per day
IS THERE DISABLED PARKING AVAILABLE?
Disabled Parking is offered on the grass on the Golf Course Car Park situated beside the paddock area. Parking is subject to space and allocated on a first come basis. There will be a blue badge drop off area at the Startline Grandstand to enable car passengers with reduced mobility to exit vehicles safely onto the pedestrian area which leads to the grandstand.
IS THERE PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO THE CIRCUIT?
Translink operate both bus and rail services to Portrush / Coleraine and a bus service to Portstewart. Please note that the bus service will not operate on roads inside the circuit during the road closing times.
Rail timetable for Coleraine to Portrush
Bus Timetable for the Coleraine Triangle Service 140A
Bus Timetable for the Coleraine Triangle Service 140B
For further assistance, contact the Coleraine Depot on (028) 7032 5400 or the Translink Call Centre on (028) 9066 6630.