BBC Sport NI analyst Alannah Maher takes us through some of the numbers which make up the North West 200.

High-profile newcomer Storm Stacey led the Superstock speeds for much of their slightly curtailed session but ultimately ended up third on the leaderboard with 107.870mph in first qualifying on Wednesday,

Australian Josh Brookes came out on top on 109.411mph, with Harrison again to the fore in second place at 108.814mph.

John McGuinness, Dominic Herbertson and Hickman were next in the order.

Both Brookes and Harrison are chasing their first-ever wins at the North West.

McWilliams was 7.7 seconds faster than his nearest rival in producing the best speed of the Supertwins/Sportbike session on 105.163mph on drying roads on his Yamaha R7.

Jordan, winner of last year's second Supertwins event, was his closest challenger at 102.590mph, with Seeley third fastest at 101.502mph, both riding Aprilias.

Image source, Pacemaker

Lee Johnston
Five-time winner on BBC iPlayer

It sounded like in one breath that Glenn was going to change bike, I don't know how that is possible, but he is definitely not feeling the love for the Ducati at the minute.

Race organisers have said there will be a delay of approximately 45 minutes after the stoppage for the red flag.

Glenn Irwin speaking on BBC iPlayer: "Not so many issues in general, but a few things I'm struggling with we'll keep to ourselves. Bike is okay, it's new to us and the team.

"Too much electronic interference so hopefully we can dial that down and see how this session goes now. We have a few things with me I'm struggling with which is frustrating. I woke up this morning feeling better but it's a little niggle. I'm due to see the doctors next week before Donnington Park, possible tomorrow which would help for Saturday, but I honestly, don't know."

Davey Todd
Nine-time NW200 winner

A lot of people say they have been surprised by how well Storm Stacey has done, I'm not. Storm is a class rider, he's a top class rider at British championships and he's put the work in to learn the course. He's got one of the best possible mentors in Michael Rutter. He'll be one to watch with the usual top runners.

Philip McCallen
11-time race winner on the BBC Sport website

Let's not forget, this is a new bike for Glenn. He was out on it last night but it is really hard to test anything in the wet. He made a big effort in those opening couple of laps. Now he is coming in to debrief the boys and get it right. There will be gearing and suspension to change. They're a good team so they'll dial that out.

Dean Harrison has popped up with the fastest time as he breaks into the 123mph mark.

Glenn Irwin is second, followed by Peter Hickman, Richard Cooper, Josh Brookes and Storm Stacey.

That would be a tasty grid.

Michael Dunlop is on an outlap but he's down in 14th with work to do.

Davey Todd
Nine-time NW200 winner

There's a lot of race craft that goes in to winning round here. It's not as simple as being the fastest guy. You have to plan your race a lot, there's a lot of tactics that come into it, especially in the last lap.

Glenn Irwin has laid down an early marker with the fastest lap of the session so far at 121.767mph.

That lap speed makes him just three tenths of a second faster than Dean Harrison on 121.604 and then Richard Cooper with 120.408.

Early days of course.

Dean Harrison is in third year as part of the Honda Racing line-up.

The Yorkshireman achieved five podium finishes last year to take his overall tally of rostrums to 15 at the event. He still chases his first win however.

On Wednesday Harrison was second fastest in the Superstocks, and third quickest in both the Superbike and Supersport sessions.

Image source, Richard Petrie

Davey Todd
Nine-time NW200 winner

For these guys today one of the most important things will be to get as many laps as possible. With yesterday being very difficult conditions for everyone, it wasn't even as simple as just wet conditions, it was wet, dry and windy in every single session. So today it is about getting some dry laps under their belt. The more laps they can get the better.

1 Richard Cooper (BMW) 110.843mph

2 Paul Jordan (Honda) 109.859

3 Dean Harrison (Honda) 109.626

4 Glenn Irwin (Ducati) 109.580

5 Peter Hickman (BMW) 109.345

6 Mike Browne (Honda) 108.469

They aren't wasting any time and the Superbikes are away out for their first dry session of the week!

Davey Todd
Nine-time NW200 winner

I feel bad talking about the disappointment that I'm stood here talking about the racing. In all honesty I'd love to be on the other side of the fence and racing here today but it is what it is. I love the racing nonetheless but it is going to be pretty cool to watch the guys go at it.

Roads close - 0900 BST to 1500 for practice

1645 to 2100 for racing

Practice order - Superbike; Supersport; Superstock; Supertwin/Sportbike

Race schedule

Thursday - Superbike (4 laps); Supersport (4 laps); Superstock (4 laps)

You can watch live video streamed coverage of Thursday's qualifying session for the North West 200 and the first three scheduled races on Thursday evening on BBC iPlayer and by clicking the 'watch' button on this page on the BBC Sport website.

Thursday's qualifying will be broadcast from 09:30 until 14:45 on BBC iPlayer and the website, with the three-race programme to follow from 16:45 until 20:45.

Stephen Watson, Larry Carter, Phillip McCallen, Lee Johnston, Alanna Maher and Faith Harper will take you through the action and all the atmosphere which surrounds the event, with commentary from Steve Parrish and Keith Huewen.

There will be live audio coverage of the racing on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Foyle from 17:00 to 21:00 on Thursday.

Gavin Andrews and Orla Bannon present, with commentator Chris Kinley, Adrian Coates and Jamie Hamilton also part of the team.