Mervyn Whyte will stay on as North West 200 event director for another year to begin planning a strategy for his successor.

There had been speculation after this year’s races that Whyte might step down after 17 years in charge of Northern Ireland’s leading road race but he says that he wouldn’t be able to leave without a successor who is completely versed in the festival’s entirety.

“In the months following this year’s NW200 I have given a lot of thought to whether the time was right to call it a day,” said the 67-year-old.

“Anyone who has an insight into the world of international road racing will appreciate how demanding the all year round demands of organising an event such as the NW200 has become.  I had been considering the option of retiring, but after talking things through with my wife Hazel, the rest of my family and my NW200 colleagues it became clear how big a task the handover to my successor was going to be.  

“I am extremely fortunate to have fantastic support from the NW200 Management Team and the many volunteers of Coleraine & District Motor Club and I simply could not have considered walking away at such a critical time without the necessary steps having been taken to ensure the future success of this magnificent event.”