Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there's a half hour delay.

Frustrating for now, but safety is paramount.

Image source, pacemaker

BBC's Geoff Maskell with a welcome weather update.

Further information on what Alastair Seeley was referring to.

We now have another delay of at least 10 minutes.

Alastair Seeley is talking to Stephen Watson on the grid. It's safe to say that he, like Irwin, is not keen on what he is seeing.

He's also saying that there seems to be some sort of spillage at Black Hill that nearly dismounted James Hillier in the opening lap of the Supersport earlier. Some of the racers have gone to the area with race director Mervyn Whyte to have another look now.

When the riders are telling you this, it goes without saying that you need to listen.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at the NW200

There was a bit of a meeting on the grid between race officials and some of the front runners who, it’s fair to say, have raised concerns about the conditions.

But it looks like we’re set for a full restart for the 600s, with the riders and bikes making their way back onto the grid.

Looks like we're in for another short delay.

What a contrast this is to Thursday night, where we were treated to some glorious evening sunshine. Hugely frustrating for riders and spectators alike but hopefully we will see some racing before long.

Inevitable perhaps. It's now pouring on the north coast.

The race is halted in the second lap.

Image source, Pacemaker

Local favourite Michael Dunlop, a five-time winner at the North West, is an early retirement in this Supersport contest.

Alastair Seeley is off the line quickly with Peter Hickman following behind. Dean Harrison very slow off the line though and he has a fair bit of work to do if he wants to get in the mix.

James Hillier gets through and he's leading, with Seeley staying hot on his tail.

Unfortunately, and inconveniently, the clouds have come down so low that our TV helicopter is currently out of action which is not ideal.

Regardless, Hillier leads from Seeley after lap one.

The Supersport bikes accelerate off the grid and, at last, the action is underway with six laps of the 8.9-mile Triangle circuit ahead.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at the NW200

The weather thankfully seems to have relented around the North Coast and the Supersport bikes are on the grid awaiting starter’s orders.

One thing to watch - on the sighting lap Alastair Seeley made sure he pulled away from Lee Johnston in the wet conditions. A normal routine or some mind games in the testing conditions?

We’ll soon find out in what has the potential to be another six-lap thriller.

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport NI at the NW200

The first race of the day will be the six-lap Supersport.

Northern Ireland's Lee Johnston won this class on Thursday evening - his fourth career North West victory and first since 2015.

But we face a further five-minute delay because of an oil spill somewhere on the course.

Our video has been showing some of Thursday's highlights - but the live action is coming up.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at the NW200

The unwelcome rain may have made an appearance this morning, but it certainly hasn't dampened the enthusiasm of the race fans.

They've been lining the grandstands, fields, hedges and caravan parks since the crack of dawn. You name it, they'll find a way to watch today's racing.

After a damp start, it started tipping down around an hour before roads closed, which is obviously far from ideal with no wet running so far this week. The forecast is for things to improve later on, so fingers crossed.

The Supersport bikes are due onto the grid when we eventually get underway, and if it is half as good as Thursday's race we are in for a treat.

A double for Lee Johnston? Revenge for Alastair Seeley? A maiden win for Dean Harrison, James Hillier or Paul Jordan? This should start the day off rightly!