NORTH West 200 Clerk of Course, Mervyn Whyte, hopes a new PlayStation computer game will help newcomers to the north coast races familiarise themselves with the high-speed nine-mile circuit in May.

The eagerly awaited game - entitled 'TT Superbikes: Real Road Racing Championship' for the PlayStation II - is Jester Interactive's sequel to the million-selling 'TT Superbikes.'

Exclusively previewed at the official launch of the Kennedy North West 200 in Belfast, the new road racing game features five new circuits in addition to the Isle of Man TT course, including the North West, Ulster Grand Prix, Macau Grand Prix and Aberdare Park.

The sequel is currently in the final stages of completion and could be on the shelves in time to coincide with the Triangle races on May 17.

The original TT Superbikes game's painstakingly accurate recreation of the Isle of Man TT circuit was so realistic that newcomers familiarised themselves with the 37.73-mile Mountain circuit by using the game as a learning guide.

And NW200 supremo Mervyn Whyte plans to provide novices at the Triangle meeting in May with a similar opportunity to acquaint themselves with the nine-mile seaside track if the new game is ready on time.

"The idea is that we would set up plasma screens in the hospitality marquee to give newcomers to the North West the chance to play the game and familiarise themselves with the direction of the course," he said.

"We would also hope to have the game on sale in the paddock, but this obviously depends on whether or not the game in finalised in time."

Jester Publishing's Clark Evans, Commercial Director at the innovative North Wales-based software firm, said that although no release date has yet been finalised, the company was hopeful the game would be on sale in time for the North West.

"We are unable to pinpoint an exact release date at present because the game is being tested to make absolutely sure there are no glitches," he said. "Obviously, we are aiming to have the game released to coincide with the North West 200, but we can't say for certain that it will be on time because while we are not expecting any setbacks arising from the testing of the game, you can never be 100 per cent sure.

"We don't want to release too many details about the game at present, but the sequel will appeal to racing game fans, casual gamers and the existing TT Superbikes players who will be able to experience a fresh challenge with new tracks, bikes and features."

The hugely popular 'TT Superbikes' was launched to great acclaim in 2005, entering the best-sellers gaming chart at number five. It remained in the top 10 for four weeks, selling an incredible one million copies worldwide.