Saturday Race Day – the big day for the annual NW200 and what a day it was. The weather forecast had promised to be a scorcher and guess what – even for Northern Ireland it delivered!
Thursday’s racing had already been a massive success with no major incidents and all three races running their full distance with real world class racing on display. Saturday promised another 5 races but could it deliver on what Thursday had already given us?
Well the short answer is yes! The weather was glorious, a bit breezy, but all that really did was hide the sunburn! The racing was outstanding and with only one red flag on the first lap of the final race – of which those involved are fine.
Just want let everyone know I'm fine. I thought my engine seized but it seems I just hit a false neutral at an (1-3) pic.twitter.com/hxcgvQhZ1c
— Nadieh Schoots (@NadiehSchoots) May 19, 2018
The standing of racing was fantastic and the (reported) crowds of 120,000 people loved it!
This all feels surreal. It's not meant to be sunny. It's not meant to run like clockwork. What is there to complain about? #NW200
— @AHardyBreed (@AHardyBreed) May 19, 2018
Glen Irwin was dishing out the lessons on how to ride a superbike, taking 2 wins in the class, meaning he had 3 in a row at the NW200, remembering he took the 2017 Feature Race in fantastic style. Joey Thompson – a new crowd favourite missed out on taking a Supertwin win being piped at the final Juniper Hill Chicane, it was breath taking stuff and an amazing example of how good the NW200 can be if blessed with a little bit of good fortune and weather. Really well done to all those involved.
If you missed it the BBC still have the entire day available for viewing – but I don’t know how long it will be available for – find it here : https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/northern-ireland/43801720
And let’s not forget Jonathan Rea popped along for a private lap, evening stopping to say hello a few times!
Check out my full gallery of all the action from the day’s racing here : https://tbni.blog/2018/06/04/2018-vauxhall-international-north-west-200-saturday-race-day-gallery-saturday-19th-may-2018/
Without further delay here are the results of an amazing day’s racing at Northern Ireland’s North Coast :
Race 1 : Bet McLean Supersport Race : 19/05/2018 :
The penultimate lap of the #supersport race at the 2018 #nw200 #northwest200 @northwest200 another great win for @weewizard34 pic.twitter.com/EYdm731ZFq
— ?TomBoyNI™? (@TomBoyNI) May 19, 2018
Race 2 : Anchor Bar Superbike Race : 19/05/2018 :
The penultimate lap of the first #superbike race at the 2018 #nw200 #northwest200 @northwest200 a lesson in superbikes and a great win for @GIrwinRacing pic.twitter.com/lSnjWLFf2u
— ?TomBoyNI™? (@TomBoyNI) May 19, 2018
Race 3 : J M Paterson Supertwin Race : 19/05/2018 :
The final lap of the #supertwin race at the 2018 #nw200 #northwest200 @northwest200 great win for @james_cowton, so close for @JoeyThompsonTT – next year I wonder what’s odds @bet365 would give? pic.twitter.com/kBsvrPOgs3
— ?TomBoyNI™? (@TomBoyNI) May 19, 2018
Race 4 : CP Hire Superstock Race : 19/05/2018 :
The final lap of the #superstock race at the 2018 #nw200 #northwest200 @northwest200 another great win for @weewizard34 and a cracking 2nd for @peterhickman60 pic.twitter.com/HxFiy92iCr
— ?TomBoyNI™? (@TomBoyNI) May 19, 2018
Race 5 : Merrow Hotel & Spa NW200 Superbike Race (Restart) : 19/05/2018 :
The final lap of the #superbike feature race at the 2018 #nw200 #northwest200 @northwest200 another great win for @GIrwinRacing the new King of the North Coast #3inaRow pic.twitter.com/AkjVmL19fX
— ?TomBoyNI™? (@TomBoyNI) May 19, 2018
For the full results of Thursday’s racing (17/05/2018) click here : https://tbni.blog/2018/05/18/2018-vauxhall-international-north-west-thursday-race-night-results-timings-thursday-17th-may-2018/
Check out my full gallery of all the action from Thursday (17/05/2018) evening’s racing here : https://tbni.blog/2018/06/03/2018-vauxhall-international-north-west-thursday-race-night-gallery-thursday-17th-may-2018/
