North West 200 adds extra race to Thursday programme

The 2013 North West 200 meeting will feature an extra race on Thursday 16 May following last year's successful experiment with an additional raceday.

The programme for Thursday evening will now take in events for the Supertwins, Supersport and Superstock classes.

Saturday will again comprise a five-race programme with another Supertwins race added to the card from last year.

The event will also feature two Superbike races and a second run out for Supersports and Superstocks.

The week-long motorcycle festival, which has a new title sponsor in Vauxhall, will see Australian David Johnson make his debut at the Triangle circuit.

The Adelaide rider has previously competed at the Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix and has won the Best Newcomer Award at both.

Other riders who attended the official launch of next year's race at the Waterfront Hall on Tuesday included Michael and William Dunlop, 13-times winner Michael Rutter, John McGuinness, Alastair Seeley and Stephen Thompson.

Carrickfergus rider Seeley won three races in May, with Rutter, William Dunlop, Ryan Farquhar and McGuinness also taking victories.

The event was marred by the death of Scottish rider Mark Buckley.

North West organisers are working on a number of new initiatives to promote next year's event, including an exhibition at the forthcoming NEC Motorcycle Live 2012 Show in Birmingham.

Other ideas include a redesigned interactive website and a purpose built App.