The circuit runs between the towns of Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine - dubbed the Triangle - and sees competitors race at speeds over 200 mph.

Two years ago, up to 150,000 people from Ireland, Britain, Europe and beyond descended on the three towns, making it the highest attended sporting event in the island.

The race meeting on the Saturday requires public roads to be closed during the afternoon.

The meeting takes its name from the main race of the afternoon - the 'North West 200,' originally ran over 200 miles, before changing to its current format of six separate races each running 4-6 laps of the 8.966 mile circuit, 8.83 miles on the first lap of every race.

Amongst the many world-class riders to have taken part is Ulster born Joey Dunlop, although English rider Michael Rutter has dominated the event in recent years.

Robert Dunlop, however, held the record number of wins at the event, having notched up 15 victories in his career.