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The following articles are taken from various newspaper archives found on Find My Past. They describe and show the race from before and soon after the event. A history of the event can be seen on the official North West 200 website. Derry Journal 1st February 1929
'Displaying commendable enterprise, the City of Derry and District Motor Cycle Club have decided to make their big road race this year a 200-miles event, and the venue will probably be the triangular stretch of road running between Coleraine, Portstewart, and Portrush.' 'The event will be on scale practically with the Ulster Grand Prix, which is over a distance of 205 miles, and the date suggested for it is April 20. It will be known as “the North-West 200.” And there will be three classes, viz. – 250cc, 350cc, and 500 unlimited. There will also be prizes confined to the members of the club. The event has been promised large support in Portrush, Portstewart, Coleraine, and Derry.' Londonderry Sentinel 12th February 1929
Mr. Black said the club had the promise of a guarantee of three very valuable cups, and also every hope of getting motorcycles from the different manufacturers across the water. They might go in for something larger later on if they got this race ran. The race would attract people to the district, especially as there were seaside resorts near at hand. It was proposed to have the race from twelve noon to half past five… Belfast News-Letter 11th March 1929
Good headway is being made by the City of Derry and District Motor Club with their North West 200 miles race for motor cycles on the 20th April next at Portrush. Prominent cross Channel riders appear in the first batch of entries received and the club is at present considering the possibility of erecting a grandstand, as numerous inquiries have been received from interested parties. The course is an ideal one, passing through the picturesque seaside resorts of Portrush and Portstewart and touching Coleraine. The circuit is 11 miles…
Mid-Ulster Mail 16th March 1929 Belfast News-Letter 28th March 1929
The 2nd April is the closing date for the entries for the City of Derry and District Motor Club’s North West 200 miles motor cycle race at Portrush next month. Among the principal entries so far received are the following:- Stanley Woods (Norton);Percy Hunt (Norton), holder of the amateur T.T. race, Isle of Man; G. E. Nott (Rudge), holder of the Brooklands record for 200 miles; J. W. Shaw, Belfast, winner of the Ulster Grand Prix; H. G. T. Smith (Rudge), Dublin University; C. W. Johnston (entered by Burney & Blackburn, Surrey); J. G. Burney, Dublin, holder of the 100 miles championship of Ireland; W. H. T. Meagan, Whitehaven, former winner of the T. T., Isle of Man; the Crabtree brothers. Of Warrington, who will ride Excelsiors.  A.McIntyre (Belfast) Abington K.D. R.H.Patterson (Derry) O.E.C. R.M.Osbourne (Kilkenny) Raleigh G.McIntyre (Belfast) New Imperial M.McQuigg (Coleraine) Zenith C.Brockerton (Coleraine) A.J.S. W.Hunter (Bangor) A.J.S. K.G.Lammey (Moneymore) Rex-Acme J.Gordon (Whiteabbey) Excelsior W.Boston (Bangor) Rex-Acme J.Woodside (Belfast) O.K. Supreme H.Taggart (Belfast) Excelsior J.Carson (Belfast) Calthorpe J.E.Byrne (Dublin) A.J.S. T.Stewart (Belfast) O.K. Supreme J.R.Hallwell (Ballycastle) Triumph E.Brooks (Belfast) Raleigh R.S.Magee (Devonport) A.J.S. J.Dolan (Newtonbutler) Velocette W.J.McCracken (Belfast) Velocette S.A.Crabtree (Warrington) Excelsior J.McKane (Dervock) Norton J.G.Burney (Dublin) Royal Enfield J.W.Shaw (Belfast) Norton F.J.Drummand (Belfast) Norton W.H.T.Meageen (Whitehaven) J.A.P. B.G.Corry (Groomsport) Matchless T.G.Byrne (Dublin) Norton G.McManus (Coleraine) Zenith G.Brockerton (Coleraine) Excelsior C.W.Johnston (Bookham) Cotton-Blackburn G.E.Nott (Coventry) Rudge-Whitworth P.Hunt (Heywood) Norton H.G.Tyrell Smith (Dublin) Rudge-Whitworth Stanley Woods (Dublin) Norton Belfast News-Letter 11th April 1929  Belfast News-Letter 15th April 1929  Belfast News-Letter 18th April 1929  Londonderry Sentinel 18th April 1929  Belfast News-Letter 20th April 1929  Belfast News-Letter 20th April 1929 George Brockerton was born in Moyarget, County Antrim on the 28th September 1898 to John Brockerton and Elizabeth O’Mullan.  Birth certificate found at irishgenealogy The family moved to the Millburn area of Coleraine soon after Georges birth and are seen there in the 1901 and 1911 census.  1901 census found in the national archives.  Belfast News-Letter 20th April 1929  Belfast News-Letter 20th April 1929  Belfast News-Letter 20th April 1929  Belfast News-Letter 20th April 1929  Belfast News-Letter 20th April 1929  Belfast News-Letter 20th April 1929
The first “North-~West 200” road race for motor cycles takes place today on the Portrush-Coleraine-Portstewart circuit, and the City of Derry and District Motor Club are to be congratulated on their courage and enterprise in promoting this “classic” among Ulster motor-cycle racing events. The very title “North West 200” conjures up all the glamour of motorcycle racing and with an entry that includes many of the foremost sportsmen, spectators are assured of a thrilling days sport. Though the majority of people would probably put motor-car racing first in popular favour, motor-cycle racing has a thrill all it’s own, and those who have taken part in it that the other offers nothing to induce them to abandon their saddles. Be that as it may, the spectators find the one equally as thrilling as the other, and the organisers will no doubt be given a large measure of public support. ADVICE TO SPECTATORS So far as lies in their power, officials have done everything to make the event a success, and all that is now required is good weather. Councillor W.J.Chambers, whose work for the Ulster Grand Prix is well known to everyone, will be in charge of the marshals, and an earnest appeal is made to spectators to obey the marshals, keep clear of the corners, and keep well back from the roadway. The timing arrangements are under the direction of Mr R.H.Wright, who may well be described as a genius in this matter. The triangular course of eleven miles passes through Coleraine, Portstewart, and Portrush, the start being at Magherabouy, about a mile from Portrush, on the Coleraine leg of the circuit, and here a stand has been erected to accommodate a couple of hundred spectators. At one o’clock the first rider will be sent off and the others will follow at intervals according to handicap, until both scratchmen – Stanley Woods and Tyrell Smith – are despatched at 1.50. Thereafter the thrills will be seen, and it is expected that the fastest men will average between sixty and seventy miles per hour.
The race is to be run under the open competition rules of the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland (Ulster Centre), and in addition to the prizes for the North West 200 Handicap, which will include the North-West 200 Perpetual Trophy and replica, there will be the Portstewart Cup for the fastest time in the 250cc class, the Portrush Cup for the fastest time in the 350cc class, the Coleraine Cup for the fastest time in the 500cc and over class, a replica of the North-West 200 Handicap Trophy for the fastest lap, a silver cup confined to the Trophy and replica for the fastest time in the three specified classes. There will also be prizes confined to the members of the promoting club, and these will include the City of Derry Perpetual Trophy and replica for the fasted time in the three specified classes. The manufacturers are supporting the event, and a Manufacturers Cup has been presented by Mr. A.M.Stuart, Coleraine. For the convenience of spectators special excursion trains are being run by the R.M.S. (N.C.C.) Railway Company. Cheap one-day tickets to Coleraine, Portstewart Station, and Portrush are available from all stations on the line. AN EARLY CASUALTY While practising over the course yeaterday evening James McKane, Dervock, one of the entrants, came into collision with a Belfast motor-car, and was severly injured. The accident occurred near Ballyreagh, on the road between Portrush and Portstewart, and McKAne, who was travelling at a fast speed, was rendered unconscious. It is stated that one of his legs was fractured, and he also abstained head injuries. He was removed to Hopefield Hospital, Portrush, and later regained consciousness, but his condition is still critical. Northern Whig 20th April 1929   Northern Whig 20th April 1929 Northern Whig 20th April 1929 THE “NORTH WEST 200” The Portrush-Portstewart-Coleraine circuit and Riders who are competing in today’s big motor-cycling event – 1. Gordon Burney (Royal Enfield) 2. Stanley Woods (Norton) 3. J. W. Shaw (Norton) 4. G. E. Nott (Rudge Whitworth) 5. B. G. Corry (Matchless) 6. George Brockerton (Excelsior) 7. A. McIntyre (A.K.D.) 8. H. G. Tyrell Smith (Rudge Whitworth) 9. J. M’Kane (Norton) 10. C. W. Johnston (Cotton-Blackburn) 11. J. Woodside (O. K. Supreme) 12. Tom Stewart (O. K. Supreme) 13. W. Boston (Rex-Acme) 14. S. A. Crabtree (Excelsior) 15. Percy Hunt (Norton)  Northern Whig 20th April 1929  Northern Whig 20th April 1929  Northern Whig 20th April 1929
W.J.McCracken, of Belfast riding a Velocette, was first home in the North-West 200 miles road race which was run over a triangular course between Portrush, Portstewart, and Coleraine on Saturday. He covered the total distance in 3hrs, 5mins, 35secs, an average speed of 63.4 miles per hour, which, with a handicap allowance of 27 minutes, reduced his net time to 2hrs, 41mins and 35secs, thus placing him first. So far the best actual time was concerned G.E.Nott (Rudge-Whitworth), of Coventry, claimed that distinction by traversing the ful, distance in 61/2 minutes less than any other competitor. His actual time was 2hrs, 58mins, 48secs, which works out an average speed of 67 miles per hour – an excellent performance by the Brookands crack. It is questionable, however, if he would have been able to claim that distinction had Percy Hunt’s 490 Norton withstood the gruelling test to which he put it. The English rider and Nott had set off together from the half minute mark, and when they both streaked through at the end of the first lap, after doing the eleven miles in approximately ten minutes, it was evident that, barring accidents, their strggle was going to be a long and stern one. Hunt was 19 seconds faster on the first circuit, and ? Seconds on the second. At the end of 33 miles Hunt was over four minutes ahead of his rival, and he maintained that lead until a defect in his engine unfortunately put him out of the race at the end of eleven laps. The promoters of the race, the City of Derry and District Motor Club, had taken infinite pains to ensure that the event, which has in it’s first venture reached a classical status, should not be marred by any lack of adequate supervision or control. In this they had the whole-hearted support of their more experienced Belfast friends, who not only made the arrangements for the time-keeping, but assisted in the starting of the competitors, marshelling of the course. The club ghad erected a fairly substantial grand stand at Magherabouy, the starting point, but a cold wind which blew steadily from the Portrush direction made it a rather unprofitable expenditure. The couple of hundred people gathered in the proximity of the pits preferred the lower and warmers altitudes along the sides of the fields, where they were able to move about at will. The club honoured it’s South of Ireland visitors by flying the Free State tri-colour, which, with the Union Jack, fluttered along side each other on the roadway. The scene at the atart resembled a miniture Grand Prix. There were refreshments in a marquee for those who desired them, and a band from the maiden city rendered selection. Ten minutes before the start the competitors wheeled their machines from the paddock. It was then observed that out of the thirty-five entrants four were absent. OcKane, from Dervock, who broke an arm and a leg and received severe cuts to his face when he collided with a car a Dhu Varren the previous evening, was still in Hopefield Hospital. Tommy Stewart’s O.K. Supreme machine did not arrive in time, and he was compelled to discharge the role of marshall, much to the regret of his many admirers. The other absentees were J.Carson and E.Brooks, both Belfastmen. The only other departures from schedule were an alteration in T.G.Byrnes handicap from 17 minutes to 10; and the deputising of W.Sullivan, of Belfast, for George McIntyre, who, however, rode the latters New Imperial. Mr. Harry Ferguson had closed the road, and punctually to time A. McIntyre, of Belfast, on his little Abington Dick, pushed off, accompanied by R.B.Patterson, Derry (O.E.C.), and R.M.Osbourne (Raleigh), Kilkenny. McIntyre was credited with having done two laps, and, with the other two, left 53 minutes before the scratch men. The remainder of the riders left on their journey as the clock, seemingly slowly, worked off their respected handicaps.   Belfast News-Letter 22nd April 1929  Irish Times 22nd April 1929  Londonderry Sentinel 23rd April 1929  Londonderry Sentinel 23rd April 1929  Londonderry Sentinel 23rd April 1929  Londonderry Sentinel 23rd April 1929  Londonderry Sentinel 23rd April 1929  Londonderry Sentinel 23rd April 1929  Londonderry Sentinel 23rd April 1929 RESULTS 1.(£20 and the North West 200 Perpetual Trophy and replica) – W.J.McCracken (Belfast), 348 Velocette (27mins); actual time 3hr, 8mins, 35secs. 2.(£10) – M.McQuigg (Coleraine), 246 Zenith (51mins); actual time, 3hrs, 30mins, 50secs 3.(£5) – W.H.T.Meageen (Whitehaven), 346 J.A.P. (18mins); actual time, 3hrs, 7mins, 12secs. 4.J.W.Shaw (Belfast), 349 Norton (19mins); actual time, 3hrs, 10mins, 14secs. 5.E.G.Lamney (Moneymoore). 346 Rex-Acme (38mins); actual time, 3hrs, 4 mins, 4secs. 6.A.McIntyre (Belfast) 174 Abington K.D. (two laps and 53mins); actual time, 4hrs, 49mins, 6secs. 7.G.E.Nott (Coventry), 499 Rudge-Whitworth (30sec); actual time, 2hrs, 58mins. 8.J.G.Burnley (Dublin), 346 Royal Enfield (22mins); actual time, 3hrs, 29mins, 25secs.  Fastest time in 500cc class (Coleraine Cup and £2) – G.E.Nott, 2hrs, 58mins, 41secs. Fastest lap (replica of handicap trophy) – Percy Hunt, 2hrs, 58mins, 41secs. MANUFACTURERS’ ENTRIES Fastest time (North West 200 Silver Cup – G.E,Nott averaged 66.93mph. CLUB PRIZES Confined to members of the City of Derry District Motor Club:- City of Derry Perpectual Trophy and replica – W.J.McCracken. Fastest time in 250cc class – M McQuigg. Fastest time in 350cc class – J.W.Shaw. The prizes were distributed after the race in the Trocadero Restaurant, Portrush, by Mrs. D.H.Christie, Mayoress of Coleraine. A dance followed. Ballymena Observer 26th April 1929
Thousands of spectators were attracted to the City of Derry and District MotorClub’s 200 miles motor-cycle race over the Coleraine-Portrush-Portstewart circuit last Saturday. These roads were in excellent condition, and yet provided a decidedly difficult task for the competitors. There were nasty corners to be negotiated such as at the Convelalescant Home, Portrush; Henry’s at Portstewart, and at Millburn, the junction of the Portstewart and Portrush main roads, on the outskirts of Coleraine. The start was at Magherabouy, on the Portrush-Coleraine leg, where a stand to hold about 200 spectators had been erected. The total distance of the circuit was 11 miles. 130 yards, eighteen laps making in all slightly under 200 miles. The success which attended the race was decidedly encouraging to the promoters in their first big adventure of the kind, and the event is likely to become a classic in the motor cycling world. The North West 200 is still enjoyed today by the local community and visitors from all over the world. Visit the official North West 200 website to learn more about the event and possibly plan a visit.
Discover Northern Ireland For local genealogy of the Causeway Coast and Glens area visit the Coleraine Family History Society website.
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Lucy LavertyA keen amateur genealogist Archives
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