NW200 gears up for exciting year.

HM Plant team members John McGuinness and Steve Brogan joined AIM Yamaha rider Ian Hutchinson in helping to kick-start this year's Kennedy Group International North West 200, which is expected to be one of the most exciting yet.

Co-incidentally launching the 2008 Ballymoney Borough Council 600cc Supersport and Autozone 125cc races at Stormont's Parliaments buildings, McGuiness, Brogan and Hutchinson all posted entries for the Coleraine & District Motor Club's big event, with North West 200 stalwart McGuinness - who won last year's first Superbike race - keen to add to his trophy cabinet this year with a Supersport win.

New team-mate Brogan has made one prior appearance at the North West 200, but the 28-year old will also be chasing honours on two fronts, riding new Honda CBR 600RR and Fireblade CBR 1000RR machinery.

AIM Yamaha star Ian Hutchinson didn't make the podium at last year's event, but will be out to deny the Honda stars after taking the top trophy in 2006's Ballymoney Borough Council-backed Supersport 600cc race. He will be hoping to regain that winning streak under Alistair Flanagan's colours, but will face stiff opposition from local favourites such as Ballymoney's Adrian Archibald, who will be aiming to improve on last year's performance, Carrick's Alastair Seeley and father and son duo Robert and William Dunlop. The 2008 TAS team will also boast new star this year, in the shape of Aussie Cameron Donald, who rides alongside last year's double Supersport winner Bruce Anstey.

Other entries in the Supersport category include the charismatic Guy Martin, who came third in last year's first Supersport race, Steve Plater - on another AIM Yamaha - Crumlin rider Stephen Thompson, plus William Dunlop, Ryan Farquhar, Martin Finnegan, Conor Cummins and Welsh wizard Ian Lougher, who will be back in the saddle of his regular Blackhorse machine.

The Autozone 125 race has already attracted entries from 15-times NW200 winner Robert Dunlop, who will compete against Michael Wilcox and Isle of Man stalwart Chris Palmer, who took 4th place in 2007. Further big names are expected to sign up before the 5 April closing date.

This year's event will see a revamped race programme which will include a completely separate 250cc race. The 125cc/400cc races will run concurrently, but will be treated as two separate races. All three races will have separate prize funds. All will start from grand prix-style grids.

"In order to continue to raise safety levels, the GP grid format will see a 45-degree echelon with staggered rows to allow for safer movement of competitors off the grid if a rider happens to stall - as was the case at last year's initial Superbike race," clerk of the course Mervyn Whyte said, before going on to outline another significant change to the race regulations.

"When a red flag is displayed, competitors who are not actively competing in the race at that time will not be classified in race results. In other words, if a rider stops mid-race for whatever reason and the race is subsequently red flagged, he/she will not figure in the final results."

As well as the support of its sponsors, the event has also received the backing of sports minister Edwin Poots, who welcomed the news that Ballymoney Borough Council and Autozone had become sponsors.

"Last month, I announced that ?100,000 has been earmarked by my department to assist motorsports improve safety at races this coming year," Poots said, "I also believe that motorsport events have the potential to attract other support, including local government and private investment. I am therefore delighted to learn that the North West 200, which is one of Northern Ireland's premier sports events, has attracted this sponsorship for the 2008 programme. I would continue to encourage all motorsport event promoters and governing bodies to develop similar opportunities."