℗ 2021 Christian Löffler, under exclusive license to Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
1929
The first meeting, organised by the City of Derry and District Motor Club, took place with a handicap race of 200 miles being held.
no date
The meeting was originally due to be held on roads close to Maiden City but was eventually held on the roads between Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine with the original start/finish line located near Magherabouy before moving to Portmore Road in Portstewart in 1930. That first race, on Saturday 20 April 1929, saw legendary names such as Stanley Woods, Percy ‘Tim’ Hunt and Ernie Nott all in the line-up but it was W J McCracken who was victorious in the handicap race, his race winning time on his 348cc Velocette being an arduous 3hr8m35s. From the small acorn that was planted back then, a mighty oak has since been formed and we’ve seen everything possible from a road race meeting and as unknown riders have become household names, the racing has seen some of the best anywhere in the world.
1930 – The start and finish was moved from to the Portmore Road in Portstewart.
Jimmy Guthrie wins the first of four successive 500cc races and sets the first ever 80mph+ lap in the process.
The last meeting before the outbreak of the Second World War.
Racing resumes on the Triangle circuit after the end of the Second World War despite shortages of fuel and tyres.
Gilera make their debut at the NW 200 ridden by Dickie Dale and Reg Armstrong.
Alan Lyons wins the 250cc race – Alan and Ernie Lyons are the first brothers to win races at the NW200.
Jack Brett sets the first ever 100mph lap of the course, winning the 500cc race on his Norton.
1958 – Mike Hailwood makes his one and only appearance at the North West 200, finishing second in the 250cc race.
logistical and financial constraints causing issues
Suzuki claim their first victory with Stuart Graham winning the 500cc Production race.
The final year the races were held over the original circuit, which ran along the length of the Portstewart promenade. Race winners were John Cooper (500cc), Paul Smart (350cc) and Derek Chatterton (250cc).
The start and finish moved to its current location between Juniper Hill and Millbank Avenue.
John Williams became the first rider to record a hat-trick, winning the 350cc, 500cc and 750cc races.
Mick Grant records the first ever 120mph+ lap on his 500cc Kawasaki, setting a new lap record of 122
Ray McCullough and Tony Rutter (both Yamaha) cross the finishing line together at the end of the 350cc race, the only dead heat in the history of the event.
Tom Herron sets the fastest ever lap seen at the NW200 with a speed of 127.63mph.
Joey Dunlop wins his first races on the Triangle circuit in the events 50th anniversary year.
New Zealander Stu Avant becomes the first overseas rider to win a race at the NW200, taking victory in the 500cc race.
The Juniper Hill chicane is added in the wake of the fatal accidents of Tom Herron (1979) and John Newbold (1982).
Robert Dunlop beats Gene McDonnell in the 350cc race to take his first NW200 victory.
Steve Hislop wins his only races at the North West 200, the 750cc King of the Roads race and the Superbike race.
Robert Dunlop takes a hat-trick of wins, both Superbike races and the 125cc.
Phillip McCallen won five races in a day – 400cc, 600cc, 250cc and both Superbike races – the only rider to achieve such a feat.
Robert Dunlop records his third hat-trick with a 125cc and two 250cc wins.
Robert Dunlop gave the Honda RC45 its first ever International victory, winning the first Superbike race and then going on to complete the double. He one again scores a hat-trick with a 125cc win also.
The Magherabuoy chicane is added to curb speeds on the run in to the Metropole.
Michael Rutter opens his NW200 account with wins in the 600cc and Superbike races.
David Jefferies takes a treble at the meeting with a 600cc win and victories in both Superbike races.
Joey Dunlop competed in his last ever NW200 meeting, lining up in pole position for both Superbike races.
Bruce Anstey made his debut, setting pole position and then winning the Production race.
Ryan Farquhar takes both Supersport 600cc wins for Kawasaki.
Michael Rutter makes history after becoming the first rider to go through the speed trap at more than 200mph.
