The North West 200 is a motorcycle road race that is held each May in Northern Ireland. It is the largest annual sporting event in Ireland, with 150,000 spectators attending over the race weekend. This film shows the riders making their way to the grid and a manic push-start as the race gets underway. Later, we see them take some of the early course corners at ferocious speeds.

This film was digitised as part of the BFI's Unlocking Film Heritage project.

Rushes: The North West 200 course is a closed street circuit, made up of public roads running between the towns of Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush. In 1957, Sammy Millar won the 250cc race, Bob Anderson the 350cc and Jack Brett the 500cc.

• National Museums Northern Ireland
• History of The Northwest 200
• Britain on Film