THE 2015 Vauxhall International North West 200 roars into action this weekend when the top road racers from the Irish and international stages will compete in earnest.
After many months of planning and building towards this event, the promoting club, the Coleraine and District Motor Club, will finally see the fruits of their hard work come together, and foremost in everyone minds will be the dreaded weather which has all but wrecked the event in more recent years.
The event has again attracted the cream of the world;s top road racers, with every manufacturer represented in the programme.
Heading this year's event, with be current king of the roads, Ballymoney's Michael Dunlop.
Dunlop, who will ride Milwaukee Yamaha's in the Superbike, Superstock and Supersport classes is in great form.
But he will face some very stiff opposition, none more so that of Carrickfergus rider Alastair Seeley on the Tyco BMW's.
Seeley, who has notched up 12 North West 200 wins, is hunting down the late Robert Dunlop's tally of most victories around the North West 200
Morecambe's John McGuinness will be hoping to build on his North West 200 record, with the TT supremo again riding the Factory Honda Fireblades.
He will be joined by English riders Guy Martin (Tyco BMW), Michael Rutter (Penz13.com BMW), Dean Harrison (Mar-Train Yamaha), Gary Johnson (Quattro Kawasaki) and Ben Wilson (Gearlink Kawasaki).
Other notable entries include Ballymoney's William Dunlop (Tyco BMW), Australian David Johnson and Dungannon's Ryan Farquhar (Kawasaki)plus a host of other excellent contenders.
First practice session gets under way today.
