Weather and security alert halt NW200

The event, which attracts thousands of fans, has been beset by frustrating problems out of organisers' control.

The 2011 N🧸orth West 200 h🍰as been called off at the end of a hugely frustrating day in which just one race was completed.

The road racing eve🧔nt, considered one of the most notable in the world, has endured a plethora of disruptions, resulting in a series of delays that lasted until 17.30BST when organisers eventually decided to call time on proceedings.

As race day dawned, persistent rain was already causing havoc for organisers with a decision taken to start the Supersport race before the scheduled Superbike race in an attempt to let the lesser powered machines clear some of the standing water on the high-speed course. It was a race that was won by𓄧 Alastair Seeley following a thrilling battle with Cameron Donald,ꩵ while Bruce Anstey completed the podium.

The day would then take a dramatic turn🤪 after a security alert forced police to evacuate the paddock. Though the alert turned out to be a hoax, it put the programme well behind schedule, while the rain was causing continued woes.

The Superbikes ✱eventually ventured onto track shortly before 14.00GMT, but without the top two riders Michael Rutter and Martin Jessopp as they, along with Guy Martin, felt the conditions were too difficult to be r🌄acing in.

The race got underway with Seeley storming into an early lead, but the red flag was soon deployed following a seri꧋ous mechanical fault for Ryan Farquhar on the KMR Kawasaki. Coating the Juniper chicane with oil, another lengthy delay ensued as marshal💙s attempted to clear the slick.

However, while the riders went back out onto circuit for two more sighting laps, several 🎀declared that the visibility and track conditions remained poor, parti꧅cularly at the affected corner.

A series o🌌f meetings and consultations would follow as riders and organisers discussed whether it was safe to return to the track with the eventual decision taken to cancel the event after just one race.

A bit💖terly disappointing end 🦄for North West 200 organisers , technical director Mervyn White labelled it as a 'disaster'.

Permits are required by law for road to be closed in Northern Ireland, a ruling that means the NW200 cannot be completed ꧅in the coming days.

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