Mervyn Whyte is North West 200 clerk of the course

All three will make their debuts at the Isle of Man TT this year and clerk of the course Whyte plans to have the trio at the North West a few weeks earlier.

"I have been in discussions with them. Nothing has been finalised yet but it looks reasonably promising," he said.

Short circuit star Emmett has made one previous appearance on the north coast.

The 38-year-old had four seasons at 500cc Grand Prix level before competing regularly and successfully in the British Superbike Championship.

His last notable success was a race win in the 2006 British Supersport championship and he will compete for the Speedfreaks/Ice Valley Racing Team on the roads.

Yorkshireman Robinson is a former British 250cc champion and 250cc GP rider who finished fifth in last year's highly competitive British Supersport series.

Hillier rides for the Martin Bullock Racing team at the TT and specialises in the 600cc class, having emerged from the Virgin Mobile R6 Cup series.

Another possible target for Whyte and the North West organisers is Italian Alessio Corradi, an Italian and former World Supersport frontrunner.

The Phase One World Endurance team of James McBride and American Jimmy Moore are also expected to weigh in for the seaside spectacular.