Episode 2 Bikes!

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. The

fastest point between three points is here. This is a road racing.

The idea for the North West 200 started with a simple beach race

almost a century ago. It soon progressed onto the public roads on

the North Coast. Those early pioneers could hardly have imagined

the global sporting extravaganza that is staged today. But the

history and the heritage of the North West is never too far away.

This is one of Northern Ireland's oldest and most famous sporting

events. Legends have been born here, heroes produced, barrier smashed,

and many records broken. It is all about the emotion. The

excitement. And the electricity. The power. The passion. And, of course,

the high-speed passing. This year, one man is on the verge

of making history and could become the North West's most accessible

ever rider. But whatever happens, there is bendy drama guaranteed. --

plenty of drama guaranteed. Welcome to the Vauxhall international North

West 200, this is the first of three macro special highlights programmes

on the BBC and this is what is coming up on the show. We have got

to macro thrilling races, the Supersport race is going

side-by-side and then the Supertwins battle it out. We meet a rider

trying to take his career to new heights, and is putting his own spin

on things. All of the sport's top riders are here to contest what many

regard as the world's best road race will stop here are some of the stars

to look out for. John McGuinness is regarded as Road racing royalty. Ian

Hutchinson is back to his best after a career threatening injury. Peter

Hickman is a star from the Superbike championship, looking for his first

win, as is James Hillier, he has been on the podium before. Martin

Jessop is the fastest ever rider, clock through the speed trap at over

200 miles per row. Michael Rutter is a 13 times North West winner. Lee

Johnson is amongst those leading the local challenge, as is Jeremy

McWilliams, now 52, but still very competitive. One rider has managed

the North West since his debut in 2008, he has had one race win every

year. Alastair Seeley has a tally of 15 victories, equal with the great

Robert Dunlop. We caught up with Alastair Seeley at one of the area's

most famous landmarks. First first time at the rope bridge, what

are your impressions? I was very impressed, I've lived here for 36

years and it was nice to get across here eventually. How excited are you

about the North West 200? This year is very special. Very important, as

well, we are knocking on the door, taking the record of 16 wins, if we

can get another one. Preparation has been going well. We have gelled

quite quickly. Do you remember your first North West 200? The first win,

yes. 2008. I was in a ding-dong battle and it all came down to the

usual spot on the last lap. COMMENTATOR: Bruce Anstey has got

over the lap. Alastair Seeley takes the winner. It is a fine win. Of

those 15 wins, is there one which jumps out? Probably 2010.

COMMENTATOR: Just what Alastair Seeley needed. It was 13 years

previous to that, and to be the guy after that, that was pretty special.

When you look back at the footage, it got a bit exciting after that,

and I threw my gloves into the crowd. You used to watch Robert

Dunlop, you can now beat his record, what will that mean to you? It will

be eight Amanda 's achievement. -- it will be a great achievement.

Robert was one of the best on all kinds of machinery. We are now on

the verge. It will not be easy to make 16. It's about trying to win

races, and with that will, record. -- will come a record. Alastair

Seeley is in pole position for the first race to the North West 200,

the Supersport class and I'm joined by 11 times North West 200 winner

Philip. Can Alastair Seeley break his record? He is also on and he

should be able to win it tonight. He has won in this class since 2010,

and he is favourite to win tonight, but he has got to macro problems and

they are both called Dunlop. Ash two problems. To hobby record he has, 15

wins, that is a great thing, and if Alastair Seeley beats the record, he

will be even greater. Thank you. The circuit is run on closed public

roads. The route that many people use to go to work turns into one of

the fastest tracks on the planet. It goes to Coleraine and Portrush.

Between the bushes, frighteningly close to the kerbs, even under a

railway bridge. Bikes can reach speeds of over 200 mph around the

circuit which is just under nine miles long. It is time to join our

commentary team, Steve Parish and Richard Nichols.

COMMENTATOR: I'm looking forward to this, Alastair Seeley on pole

position. Lee Johnston on the other Triumph out there. Michael Rutter,

Dean Harrison, James Hillier, it goes on and on. He had a few

problems at the end of the back ten. This is Michael Dunlop with

problems. Alastair Seeley, waiting for the go. That is a drama, Michael

Dunlop out of the 600 race. That is disappointing, he was going to be

one of the front runners. But one less format lap. Dean Harrison, he

is there. Who is it going to be? Alastair Seeley, looking for his

60th win. Heads down and away he goes, that was a lovely clean start.

Look at that. That is James Hillier. Martin Jessop, he was sat there on

the second position. He now has the lead, how about that? Alastair

Seeley second. Tipping in for the first time. Trying to get through as

quickly as he can. He has got to fight his way through, Ian

Hutchinson. On board with Alastair Seeley. The riders Triumph gets a

look at. Number 45. 25 is the Welsh gentleman. We go around and away to

the long straight, and this is where the slipstream comes into play, and

we should be in for a drafting treat. Look at that. They are doing

it flat out. Alastair Seeley has got room to pass. Lovely to see blue sky

in front of him and great to see no other motorcycles in front of him at

this moment. The slipstream, you drag yourself forward and then you

get dragged back again and this is Ian Hutchinson. He says it is like

drafting a truck. The Yamaha goes charging through. Paul Jordan is

getting passed in the braking zone. Late on the brakes, back into first

gear. Alastair Seeley and Martin Jessop, right in the mix. John

McGuinness's view, that is, well, it would be, if he turned round.

Michael Rutter, right behind. Number eight. On board with Paul Jordan,

they go round slowly around the roundabout. Bruce Anstey just in

front. It is all happening. Lee Johnston, out of the slipstream.

Trying to go alongside. Jessop on Alastair Seeley, Hillier around the

outside. All over the place, aren't they? Yes, they are not all cow was

a stream of screaming six cc machines. This is Alastair Seeley.

He grabs another gear and now down the inside, so good on the brakes.

He is the man that you decide, if you are going to break later than

him, you will be in trouble. They come towards the chicane on the

left-hand side. McAvoy, Alastair Seeley, Johnson. This is a look back

at Michael Rutter, coming out of the truck. Slipstream. Williams, in

their again. Hutchinson has nipped under Jessop. Around the outside.

Impressive stuff. From the back row of the grid, that is good. I did not

see who that was. Someone else coming around the left-hander.

Alastair Seeley, fabulous corner. Plenty of room for him. He grabs a

gear, you can hear the bike screaming, stretched to the limit,

these 600 Supersport machines. Lee Johnston, on the East Coast racing

Triumph. Still hurting from Scarborough, this is his best chance

or we and no wonder he is trying hard to do this. -- all week. Look

at that. He is trying hard, they are all trying hard. William Dunlop and

Michael Rutter. The top seven or within -- or within .1 of a second.

Alastair Seeley wants to get away. So he's not dragging Dunlop and the

others behind him, but that can happen. You can feel someone for

you, that ruffle short feathers. It on saddles the dynamics of the bike

when someone is that close behind. Ash it on saddles.

John McGuinness nailed it on the line. Hillier, Rutter behind, taking

the inside line, Hillier looking for the big, wide sweep through

Millbank. Michael Rutter looking at the clocks on John McGuinness'

Honda. Jordan was my view, got slightly mugged at the start. The

gearing sounds so high, he revved it and as soon as the clutch came out,

it killed it, took it off the power band, you have to be careful on the

start line with the clutch on Bees bikes because first year will pull

at about 90 mph. 190 mph, 160, 100 70. William Dunlop has done 182, I

been the fastest we have seen on the speed trap here but he had to change

engines afterwards. I think he overstretched it. Did you see that?

Robbing the paint off each other. What they want quartet in the

sunshine. A quintet, here comes another one. I'm not surprised Lee

Johnston sat up a bit, that was close and this is close. Look at

Hutchy, going for the lead. Four abreast at 180 mph. Hutchy into

second place now, Seen Lee, Jessopp, Hutchy looking forwards. You get the

feeling that CD is weighing up the opposition, weighing up the plan

with James Cowton on the Radcliffe machine. William Dunlop leads it

round the Mill Road, the Ballysally Rutherford out. -- roundabout. James

Cowton, a good way behind the leading group has gone now. This is

the battle for the lead and these are the podium finishers, perhaps,

as Alastair Seeley tries to find room beside Ian Hutchinson. It is

not Alastair Seeley, he's fourth! It is Jessopp. Seeley is taking a

breath to check out the opposition. We know he's fast over the closure,

so Hutchinson up in front. Alastair Seeley, not where he wanted to be,

his 16th win on the cards, don't forget but he's got to be up there

and he seems to be losing touch. Somewhere, Alastair Seeley dropped

right back and he's dropping even further back now. It seems that he

is. Martin Jessopp, stalking William Dunlop and Hutchy in the lead, they

changed places in the draft yet again and will always go back that?

Yes, but William Dunlop has a vast Yamaha and I've been told by a

number of teams that have run him, he's very aerodynamic, can get his

body in a position to keep high speed and is fastest through the

speed traps, normally. William Dunlop is out there, trying to

protect his father's record. Alastair Seeley and Robert Dunlop

both have 15 wins but what Willie and Michael don't want is this man

to get his 16th win and he has closed up, hasn't he? He has, and

Hutchy in four will get into the Metropole first, then William,

Jessopp, Johnston and Seeley, the man looking for his 16th win. Bruce

Anstey, number five, on the Padgett Honda. Through Church, underneath

the bridge. Beautiful conditions all around the circuit. Forgive us for

going on about that a little bit but it has been tenuous since we have

seen whether like this at the North West 200. -- ten years since.

Looking back to Bruce, John. He's been on the podium here, every year

he has come and written. There goes the slipstream along the coast road,

Hutchy with his head down, William, Martin Jessopp, Lee Johnston,

Alastair Seeley, you can't say the name is fast enough. You can see the

bikes compressed, the starches squashed up inside as John

McGuinness and Michael Rutter having a good tussle, two the elder

statesman although experience is probably the world. Again, look at

Lee Johnston, trying to get the Triumph to turn, slithering across

the road. Hutchy looks fearsome though. He's very controlled, isn't

he, and his body language is always very aggressive. This is raising

that we love to see, like you said, breeze behind them as they head out

towards the Mill Road roundabout and then going to the fastest part of

the course. That is also something you don't get at the North West 200

very of, flies on the camera. Hutchy went to deep and fast going into the

corner and lost some ground. We are riding with Seeley and we have a fly

on the screen at the moment. That little mistake from Hutchy has

allowed Seeley to close right up. He did not get the driver of the corner

but he's rude groups and got back. Oh, they tried to get through that

side-by-side but they couldn't. Just the speed... Seeley got past and

Hutchy gets back. They are touching one another. Jessopp is in the mix

and the bikes start to weave around, when you get beside another by, the

air gives you turbulence. It drags you across the road. Dean Harrison

now. Right in the middle, looking for the front! It psyches weaving

his array -- it is like he's weaving his way around the M25 but he's

doing a 180 mph. They go over the link road. This is the mistake from

Hutchy, isn't it? Way to deep, virtually had to stop and turn back.

Bruce Anstey went through there, I wonder what happened to him but he

rejoined and as long as he does not make up any ground, it will be OK

and he will not get a penalty. That will Seeley going past Harrison on

the on-board and this is the battle for the lead between these two,

Hutchy and Jessopp. It is advantage, Hutchy. Look at Seeley, slotting

into second place. Alastair Seeley from Carrickfergus, the wee wizard,

as I said, you would break all the history books if he could win this

race, giving him 16 wins, more than anyone else on the course. He's only

got Hutchy to pass now on the run to Metropole, comes out of the slip

stream and goes down the right of the road, good work from Seeley,

what he wants, make the break along the coast road and it is all his and

buttoned up. Seeley just trying to keep it all together, you have to be

careful when you go over the crown of the road at Metropole, the camber

drops away and it gives you a couple of degrees extra angle of lean. What

is Seeley's game plan? Is probably the most experienced around here,

certainly has the most wins of anyone in the race. Seeley, now,

stretching out an advantage. Is he going to get it? He's pulled away.

They are clapping already, Steve, if you go through this chicane in the

lead, he always says you have won the race. He's got to keep it

together, nice and tidy, won't know how far Hutchy is behind but it

looks like he's getting his 16th win at the North West 200, breaking all

records which will not please the Dunlop family but he deserves it,

he's been a brilliant ride around here. He's worked for that one, his

16th checker flag, Hutchy won't be happy but that's a good finish from

where he started right at the back of the first wave. Confirmation of

it, history being made by Alastair Seeley. That is tremendous.

It is a very special day for you. I felt comfortable in qualifying and I

felt towards the end, if I could get a bit of clear track, I could maybe

hit all my markers that I was doing. In the qualifying today. I felt like

I did that on the last lap. It just seems to be, 2016, 16 wins, the

weather, everything has added up-to-date. It is just, I'm not

going to forget this one. -- added up today. It is nice to be up there

with the Dunlop name. So an unforgettable moment for the

record-breaker, Alastair Seeley. Now, there's a debut here this year

who is creating quite a stir. Malachi Mitchell Thomas from England

is relatively new to the sport but he's made a good impression very

quickly and as Gavin Andrews found out, he is also pretty handy on four

wheels, as he took our old fellow for a spin in his car.

That's a wee bit oily, so it is a touch of oil and then it will spark

back and stuff. I think we will go and try it.

Brilliant, brilliant. To me, it's a bit of a hobby, like. I've been

around bikes all my life so cars are a different thing and I get to learn

how they work as I go. I'm building this myself with the help of my

other mates. It is a Nissan 180 SX from Japan, import. It is good fun,

Sunday afternoons, getting down and getting her up on the axle stands

and doing a bit of work. I like driving and going sideways and

burning rubber smells nice! And he brings that their beauty as under

his bike racing. At just 20 years of age, he's already made his mark on

the roads. I can learn tracks quick, I've got two good people showing me

around the track, John Burroughs and Jamie Hamilton. I can trust them and

when they have shown me around, I know that if they say I can brake

there, I can brake there. Now I know I can get on with bikes, I really

joy it and we work well as a team. I've got some decent race craft so

I'm hoping for a win or a podium. And away from the track, he's been a

hit with the fans. I've loved it, I never want for nothing when I'm over

here, people bring me live to the airport, places to stay and my tea

at night. You never need anything. I love it, really.

How much did you enjoy your experience with Malachi, who is

quite a character? Yeah, I mean, I was stunned to start off with, that

lad can drive a car really well. Then I started to talk to him and he

actually understands the car pretty well as well. He showed me a lot of

tricks. But you know what? I was even more surprised when he started

talking about motorcycles. He is impressive but can he win on his

debut? I think he definitely got potential comedy has won national

road races so far this year and has had a good practice and is well

placed on the grid and he definitely fit to be on the rostrum. Let's hope

he has a good ride for the first time at the North West 200. Malachi

starts on the fourth row of the grid. The front row is made up of

two Englishmen and in Northern Ireland. Dan Kruger, a surprise

package to many, in pole position alongside the home-grown talent who

has dominated this class, Ryan Farquhar of Dungannon. Ivan Lintin,

who has been second here before, is looking for his first North West 200

win. COMMENTATOR: Race tee and what a

lovely day or should I say evening for it? Conditions are perfect. They

most certainly are. None of these riders have been in the Supersport

race and this is one we have seen, Ivan Lintin and Martin Jessopp,

also, going to be ringing the neck of these bikes. Peter Hickman giving

us a thumbs up. Everybody likes the Supertwin, Ryan Farquhar more or

less invented this category and has been the master Robert but he was

not the master of qualifying. Certainly not, Darren Cooper on

pole, Ryan Farquhar second and Ivan Lintin is the front row, Martin

Jessopp and then James Hillier. Jeremy McWilliams, bringing up the

row and then it is Paul Jordan and Danny Webb. This great after-hours

acts, 650 cc twins and they power off the line, about 100 brake

horsepower, quite heavy but number one, Ryan Farquhar getting a

standing start, and on the inside was Hillier and we saw that Jessopp

was in there as well. James Hillier right alongside him and Jessopp

coming to the fore now, as they go left, down towards York Road corner

but the first time. It is Ryan Farquhar who got the best start and

he's back out in front, where he has been since this class, more or

less... Dan Kruger from pole position is locked into second,

Jeremy McWilliams gets weird -- squeezed out and we are on board

with Sweeney. Back of the grid, looking for a way through and

finding lots of space on the run down towards Millbank Avenue but

then going back again, getting shuffled back as they look for open

road. Still cold tyres, too early to be a hero. That was so close, nearly

got put overly kerb but fortunately, we are still on board. A red flag.

What is that about? On fire, someone's barbecue got completely

out of hand. I've never had a barbecue that begin my life! Burn

your sausages. The evening sun is lower in the sky now but conditions

are still lovely on the Causeway Coast as we wait for the second

start of the evening. Ivan Lintin, Ryan Farquhar and Martin Jessopp,

here we go again. This is Dan Cooper on number 20. Again, Ryan Farquhar,

bedevilled with a clutch because it is easy to burn it out, particularly

second time around. He gets away, Ryan Farquhar and we are on board

with Hillier who will very much be in the hunt, here we go. Once again,

Hillier slotting into second this time around and there is Jessopp,

number 40. Looking back from Peter Hickman's machine as Ryan Farquhar

lead them down to York Road corner for the second time, Hillier in

second place. Michael Sweeney, in the mix. I can hear those twin

cylinder machines, a lot of work as the second wave gets away and it is

Martin Lennon from Banbridge, number 15, getting a perfect start, and

Maria Costello, number ten on the inside, squeezes her way through

nicely. And now the slipstream is starting

to come into play, as it closes on Ryan Farquhar. He goes past him.

These bikes, 95 rate and they do about 200 mph, normally, these guys.

-- 95 horsepower. He taps himself in nicely, there. Into first place, Dan

Cooper, looking for the opportunity to capitalise on what was a surprise

pole position. James Hillier. How late was Ryan Farquhar on the

brakes. Different lines as they head into this, they go the wrong way

around. You have got to be a bit careful, you cannot win the race

around this corner of but you can lose it. It drops away. The bumpy

part of the cause, over the top of the hill. Watch this. They head on

down, what a shot that is. They are much closer on the second start, it

will get much more exciting before the evening is over. James Hillier,

looking for a opportunity. Different lines, it is smooth, you can be

careful. The lines do not offer the same grip as the black stuff. They

are fairly rudimentary, as we go towards church corner. Straight into

the evening sunshine, that is what everybody was worried about. Ryan

Farquhar, alongside Dan Cooper. For Ryan Farquhar is in the lead again,

with number two, James Hillier in third place. That seems to be the

breakaway group. Farquhar and Cooper started ice. They are pushing on.

Gash start They go out on the Coast Road,

heading towards Millbank Avenue, we are with James Hillier, in third

place. The battle between Cooper and Farquhar. I can see this going down

to the chicane again, no one seems able to get away. Jeremy Phillips

has dropped back as they climb up the hill. Anyone of those is in for

the win. Farquhar at the front. We joined Mitchell Thomas, he has had a

troubled practice session. It is starting to look like it, that he is

having a better right now, than he has all week on the Supertwin. It is

really these two, they have the faster bikes, James Hillier and Dan

Cooper. James Hillier, he powered his way by. Plenty of modifications

on these bikes, they end up as a follow-on race machine. If you wait

five seconds and you look at a huge slingshot, and they are now dicing

with position. So late on the brakes, coming to University Corner.

Dan Cooper is the man. He slides up the inside. Setting you up for

braking is so important around this course. You don't want to compromise

too much. Generally into the Juniper when you are this close. Dan Cooper,

short circuit racing at the start. James Hillier sliding past. He is

tucked down behind the bubble. Outwardly slipstream, make yourself

small. You can see him flapping away in the wind. He will get it. Dust is

flying everywhere. Not much of a breeze. Absolutely neck and neck.

And there it goes. Farquhar weaving away, gets into the front, very

important, that gives you the chance to stay in front down the coast

road. Dan Cooper right behind. He was later and harder on the brakes,

Dan Cooper, but now Dan Cooper is going past. Into the chicane, back

into the lead, Farquhar, this is just like the Supersport race.

Absolutely. Dan Farber while, many wins in this race. We ride with Ivan

Lintin -- done for quark. Cooper out in front. These are bikes which were

just built for this week and have not returned a wheel. Dan Cooper, on

pole on Thursday, and now leading Ryan Farquhar. I spoke too soon.

Ivan Lintin, he was popping and banging. Looks like he still has the

issue, but no issues at the front. Dan Cooper, great ride, doing a

great job. Ivan Lintin is flustered. When you have a few problems, you

think about that. He is now dropping away. Your mind is on other things.

That is why, you are wondering whether there is something seriously

wrong with the bright or it is a linkage. James Hillier. -- the bike.

You cannot see how bumpy it is. A normal road, normal traffic road,

but at the moment they are using it, the dust curves, as well. Dan Cooper

was first, he is now third, that is all slipstream. It will change. He

pumps in front of James Hillier. James Hillier, coming straight back

at him before the chicane. He is too late to try a hero move. Dan Cooper,

very late on the brakes, he is now right at the back. That is the great

shot of Michael Sweeney. Dan Cooper, very close into that. He takes a

tighter line. James Hillier has got the bird's eye view.

Oh! That is a huge one. Dan Cooper. He hit the debris, there will be a

stoppage, almost certainly. We ride with James Hillier now. He is out in

front. There must be a red flag very shortly. We knew it would have to

happen, we hope they are sorted out. There are procedures which are to be

followed in a procedure like this, this is the official result and that

is the winner of the first of the Supertwin races this week. As a

result of the crash, Ryan Farquhar and Dan Cooper were taken to

hospital. Farquhar was airlifted to Belfast and he underwent surgery and

he remains in serious conditions. Dan Cooper was released and he

returns to the paddock to sign autographs. A very unfortunate end

to the evening, on a night when Alastair Seeley made history at the

North West 200. He has 16 wins and he has taken the Dunlop record and I

think he deserves to be caught king of the Northwest 200. It will be a

very busy Saturday. Can he call your record, five victories in a single

day? Yes, he could equal that record but there are many other people that

want those wins, as well. We will be on the grid tomorrow morning and you

won't miss a single thing on the BBC. All of the racing is streamed

live on the BBC sports website. We have got two more highlights

programmes for you. We have the hour-long highlights

programme for you on Monday morning. If you are coming to the north-west

tomorrow, get here tomorrow, because the roads close at 930. From

everyone here, goodbye.