Rutter (left) and Archibald (right) will compete at the NW200

A record prize fund of �120,000 has been announced for the 2003 North West 200 international motorcycle road races in Northern Ireland.

The famous races, held over the public roads of Coleraine, Portrush and Portstewart, will be staged on 10 May.

The organising Coleraine club have signed a three-year deal with the new sponsors, the Kennedy Group, who will pour �250,000 into the races.

There will again be six races on the Saturday, with practising taking place on Tuesday 6 May and Thursday 8 May.

The winner of the main Superbike race will collect �6,000.

A 400cc race will be run in conjunction with the 125cc class and a Best Newcomer Award will be selected by the promoters.

There will be two Superbike races, two 600cc races and a Production race, with prize money being awarded down to the 17th place finisher.

Among the top riders who have already confirmed their entries are TAS Suzuki pairing David Jefferies and Adrian Archibald and Renegade Ducati British Superbike rider Michael Rutter.

'Significant improvements'

Rutter has won seven races over the seaside Triangle circuit but drew a blank last year when he bit the dust in both Superbike events.

The Honda team of Steve Plater and Ian Lougher will ride the super-quick SP-2 machines used by Colin Edwards to win the World Superbike title last year and Ryan Farquhar will be aboard Suzuki machinery.

Further significant improvements have been carried out to the course and paddock area, with �35,000 spent on tarmac and spectator fencing.

Some 1500 extra seats will be provided as the promoters seek to improve facilities and safety measures.