NW200 set to draw record attendance with race fans flocking to the North West 200 this weekend
Crowds are to flock to the North West 200 this weekend, with organisers hoping to see almost a quarter of a million people over the course of the event.
Coleraine and District Motor Club’s aim is to have 237,000 visitors to the event this year, Tourism NI has said – around 10,000 more than last year.
It’s to be a massive visitor boost, as more than a quarter of the people going will be from outside Northern Ireland – and overall it’s predicted to bring around £9m into the province’s economy.
Boasting a diverse mix of entertainment including racer meet-and-greets and a ‘fan zone’, Tourism NI says the race’s growing popularity shows it continues to “broaden its appeal to families and international audiences”.
But this year’s event has been tinged by sadness after the death of a Czech rider, Kamil Holan on Thursday.
A veteran competitor, the 48-year-old was yesterday paid tribute by his team Hefty74 as a “wonderful friend and a man of great character”.
The statement said: “Kamil, you were an inspiration, support and a partner in life and on the track. Your humility, passion and smile will be missed every second.”
He will live on the hearts of his teammates, the statement added.
The lethal crash on Thursday was the first time in 10 years that anyone lost their life at the event, coming after rising prospect Malachi Mitchell-Thomas died in a crash in the Supertwin race at Dhu Varren in 2016.
Mr Holan is the 20th fatality in the 97-year history of the competition.