Ian Lougher will face stiff competition at the North West 200

As a result the organisers have had to apply event rules to reduce the number of competitors in many of the classes.

"This is a new phenomena for us. In the past we've had a full house but have never had to deal with excess entries," said clerk-of-the-course Mervyn Whyte.

"I'm delighted with the response, especially from overseas riders. All our marketing abroad has paid off."

This year more than 50 per cent of the riders will come from outside Ireland with 25 of the 160 participants travelling from mainland Europe, South America, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

They will all compete for prize money and guarantees worth �175,000 on Saturday 21 May, with practising on Tuesday 17 May and Thursday 19 May.

The six-race programme will feature two Superbike races, two 600cc events, a 250/400,125cc race and a Superstock class.

Top international stars at this year's event will include HM Plant Honda pair Michael Rutter and Steve Plater, Ian Lougher, TAS Suzuki ace Bruce Anstey and Yamaha rider John McGuinness.

They will face stiff competition from Irish riders Ryan Farquhar, Adrian Archibald, Richard Britton, Darran Lindsay, Martin Finnegan and Guy Martin.

Roads close for the practice sessions at 5.00pm on each day and for racing at 10.00am on Saturday.