18 May 2021 – The History of NW 200 – Mervyn White

Link to the talk on FACEBOOK:  https://www.facebook.com/colerainehistoricalsocietyni/videos/4117842381628167

Tuesday 18 May 2021 

The History of the NW 200 

Mervyn White

The talk covered the race from its inception in 1929 up until the 90th anniversary which took place in 2019. It contains very interesting information covering the 90 years with up to date details on the management of the North West 200 today.

Mervyn Whyte MBE has been involved in the North West 200 since 1973, his first duty involved marshalling at Station Corner, throughout the year’s Mervyn has been involved in various roles up to the year 2000 when he took on the Event Director’s role assuming overall responsibility.

He was awarded an MBE in 2010 for services to Motorcycling in Northern Ireland and the North West 200. In 2018 he was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Coleraine. Mervyn plays a crucial role in the Governing Body of the Sport, the MCUI UC, he is also race consultant for the Macau Grand Prix and has completed six years as Steward at British Superbike meetings.

The Event Director’s role assumes a full time job with the North West 200, working on the event 365 days a year. He has raised the profile of the North West 200 over the past twenty years with safety uppermost, he has been instrumental in many

safety improvements for the competitors and spectators. Over the years he has brought the cream of road racers to the Causeway Coast, he has also been instrumental in increasing the profile of the event, adding big screens, Hospitality, Grandstands etc. On race week he is responsible for 800 people approximately and through the contract with BBC the event is transmitted to a world wide audience.