Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > NW200 - Anyone Been?

[webbyc]

Dibble and I were talking about going over to the NW200 next May. Has anyone been? Where did you stay? Which ferry route did you use? As much info as possible would be appreciated.

[NBs996]

I went a couple of years back and it's well worth it. It's a good craic, as they say over there!

Can't really advise on ferry or accomodation cos I was in my appartment in Dublin and just popped up north for the weekend. Stayed in Belfast over night which isn't very local to the racing but sure was an experience.

There's loads of info as well as accommodation guide on the irish road racing website http://www.irishroadracing.co.uk/nw200/nw200.htm

Loads of really nice riding on the north coast to savour too... don't just talk about it chris, you'll love it.

[Scottch]

Mate,

I've been 4 times - always a good time (apart from the weather on a couple of occasions).

Great people, great atmosphere, mostly great boozers, great racing.

Can't advise on ferry routes, as we've went via Troon the past 2 trips and since you're on the shandy side of the border, there's probably ports within easier reach. Try booking with Billy Nutt - we got a huge discount last year and they were easily the cheapest we could find.

Accomodation - take your pick, but book as early as possible. Remember, the circuit is 11 miles long, so where you have your digs will probably have some bearing on where you spectate from.

There were a few new hotels being built on the coast section of the circuit last year, must be worth a try - sit in the bar between laps!

Take a good sized wad and have a belter of a trip mate - ride the circuit sometime before race day too - and take your favourite most comfy walking shoes - you always seem to walk further than intended there.

Be sure to visit Kelly's (biggest night club in N.I.), grunters (really called shunters, guess why), the anchor (in port stewart) and the harbour bar.

You'll have a great time!!

Cheers!

Scott

[KeefyB]

Chris,
I've been up to the NW200 about five times.Its a fabulous event to see.
I used to ferry from Stranrear/Cairnryan to Larne.You used to be able to book it through MCN and get a good deal.I think they have stopped doing the discounts on the Irish ferries now tho.
The ride up the M6 is incredibly boring,but from the end of the motorway onwards is pure motorcycling heaven.Watch out for the Police around Dumfries tho,they are a bit handy with the old speed guns.
When you get over to NI there are some fabulous roads to explore,like the Antrim coast road.Stop off at the Giants Causway for the views and a bite to eat at the cafe.
I used to stay in Portrush,which is basically the centre of things.B&B's and hotels get booked up early,so dont hang around thinking about it.You should be able to get a list from the tourist boad.
The whole event is pretty laid back,very differant to the TT.Great bars to visit are,Kellys,the Alpha Bar, the Harbour Bar and,of course Joeys in Ballymoney.
Great places to watch are the Magic Roundabout,where you can walk across the road inbetween races and watch from a differant angle.For the true NW experience though the Metropole area cant be beat.
The start/finish area is also good.You can get real close to watch the start,then move around to watch at one of the chicanes.

[Edited on 7-11-2004 by KeefyB]

[deej]

when is the nw200

i was planning on going to the le mans motogp for my stag night/day/weekend but maybe tempted by a trip to ireland instead

[Totto]

Originally posted by deej
when is the nw200

i was planning on going to the le mans motogp for my stag night/day/weekend but maybe tempted by a trip to ireland instead

Find out details of racing over here at

http://www.realroadracing.com/


Ps NW200 is in Northern Ireland

[Old Yella]

If you fancy it I agree with using Billy Nutt for travel but get your own digs sorted out, theres loads of little B+B's that are absolutely great.

Me n Jasp went in 2003, ****ing ace.

We stayed in Port Stewart nearly opposite The Anchor Bar, top pub where you can buy, and be bought, beer with some of the best road racers in the world.

Our guest house owner even stayed up to ask if we wanted breakfast every day and we never got in before 2am!

We had a week there and met loads of friends who we wont forget including Totto.

Sat eating lunch in a cafe in a harbour we even met up with a load of guys from Squires Cafe, my local haunt, who I meet on a regular basis for rideouts now.

We even got a text from a guy, who we met on the **** in a nightclub with his wife, asking if we were going again this year.

You need to experience it, you really do, even the Police riding round on SP1's

Top place, top people, top racing, and as they say its a good craic.

You know you want to!

Text me if you want the B+B name where we stayed.

[Jasper]

I'll agree with Yella on this one(makes a change).It was superb.An experience i look forward to repeating in the near future.Great racing,great people,great atmosphere.Crappy weather!But it did't rain in the pub.To sum it up,me and Yella were in the Anchor talking to Mick Wilcox(125 rider),the night before the race.I asked him how come he was in there getting hammered.His answer?The only bloke that's going to beat me,is lying under that table in the corner!!I looked,and there was Ian Lougher,virtually comatose.Lougher won as well!Only at the NW200!!!

[webbyc]

Sounds like a good chraic. Looks like the dates this year are from 16 - 21 May, but I couldn't justify going for the whole time, max would be three nights. Have been looking at the ferries and options from darn south appear to be Holyhead - Dublin or Liverpool - Dublin. Does anyone know how long it would take from Dublin to Portrush?

[Dave G]

I would recommend this to anyone,I had a great time this year.
Managed to stand a few hundred yards away from scottch without actually being able to find him(and he's not easy to hide!).