THE NORTH WEST A History
Those original pioneers of 1929 will have had no idea how the event would develop or how it would produce such a multitude of record-breaking feats, so many defining moments, controversy, triumph and tragedy in equal measure, races of the highest order, and launch so many racing careers.
Unknown riders have become household names and the racing has seen some of the best anywhere in the world. Indeed, the sight of bikes five abreast on the run down to University or of 10 machines coming into Metropole together has become one of the finest sights in road racing. At one time, over 100,000 people flocked to the Causeway Coast but how did it all begin?
The history
The first ever meeting was due to be held close to Maiden City but was eventually held on the roads between Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine with the start/finish line located near Magherabuoy and on April 20, 1929 a single 200-mile (hence the name), handicap race was held over an 11-mile triangular circuit, much of which is still used today.
Stars on the day included TT winners Stanley Woods and Percy ‘Tim’ Hunt but it was W J
