Vauxhall was unveiled as the new title sponsor of the 2013 North West 200 at the official launch of the event in Belfast on Tuesday morning.

As revealed in the News Letter, the British car giant has committed to a major investment in the international road race - replacing Relentless Energy Drink at the helm - which will be held on Saturday, May 18.

A second Supertwin event has also been added to the race schedule in 2013, plus an additional race will be run on the Thursday evening following final practice.

A total of three races will now take place on the Thursday evening of practice week, May 16, after a Supersport race was added to the week-night bill alongside the opening Superstock and Supertwin races.

On Saturday, the five-race schedule includes two Superbike races, plus the second Superstock, Supersport and Supertwin events.

Guests at the launch included John McGuinness, Michael Rutter, William Dunlop, Lee Johnston, Michael Dunlop, Alastair Seeley and event newcomer, Aussie David Johnson.

Welcoming Vauxhall on board, NW200 Event Director, Mervyn Whyte, said: “We are delighted to be working with Vauxhall Motors.

“As an organisation and a team they understand the event and share our passion for not only the success of the North West but the desire to further develop the event into something very exciting and new for 2013.”

Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Peter Robinson, and Regional Development Minister, Danny Kennedy, were also present at the launch.

Vauxhall sponsored the inaugural Supertwin race at the North West 200 in May, which was won by Ryan Farquhar on his KMR Kawasaki.




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