The opening race of the 2020 fonaCAB and Nicholl Oils North West 200 (May 12-16) will have a new sponsor with Milltown Service Station in Ballymoney backing the opening Supertwin event.

The four-lap race will take place on Thursday, May 14 following qualifying as part of a new-look race schedule introduced this year, which sees a four-lap Superbike race added to the event programme for the first time.

NW200 Event Director Mervyn Whyte said:

“It is always good to announce the involvement of a new sponsor for the North West 200.

“It is especially important to have the support of a local business like Milltown Service Station in Ballymoney involved in our new race schedule for 2020.”

2020 fonaCAB and Nicholl Oils North West 200 newcomers Brad Clarke and James Ellison join James Henderson and David Bucklee

of Milltown Service Station to announce the sponsorship of the 1st Supertwins race at the event in May.

Also included are Stanleigh Murray, NW200 Clerk of the Course and Event Director, Mervyn Whyte.

Store manager David Bucklee said he was delighted to be on board and paid homage to Ballymoney’s status as the ‘home of road racing’ given the town’s association with the legendary Dunlop racing dynasty.

“We are delighted to be getting the North West 200 racing underway in 2020 with the Milltown Service station Supertwin race,” he said.

“Ballymoney is the home of road racing and lots of bikers visiting the North West 200 come to the town each May. We hope they make a visit to Milltown to fill their bikes and their bellies.”

The corresponding Supertwins race last year proved a classic with Italy’ Stefano Bonetti taking an emotional victory. The Paton rider held off Jamie Coward by just 0.05 second to become the first Italian to win around the 8.9-mile course.