BLACKBURN’S Superbike legend Carl Fogarty will return to the North West 200 event this year after an absence of 19 years.
The 46-year-old, who won the Superbike World Championship on four occasions before retiring from racing in 2000, claimed a double victory on his last appearance in the Northern Irish event back in 1993.
And Fogarty has now agreed to perform demonstration laps on a Ducati at this year’s meeting, taking place on May 19 on an 8.9-mile route between the towns of Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine..
“It’s been almost 20 years since I was at the North West 200,” he said.
“I’ve not been back since I last raced there in 1993 when I did the double.
“I’ve talked about going back a lot of times but most years I’ve had something else on and I’ve not been able to make it for whatever reason.
“It’s great to be a part of it all again and hopefully we’ll see some good racing.
“Then I’ll do a lap by myself, if I can remember which way it goes! I can’t wait and it can’t come quick enough for me now.”
Fogarty also set a new lap record during his double triumph in 1993, having been edged out by Steve Hislop a year earlier.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here