A COUPLE of top 20 finishes were recorded by Forest Dunn at the famous North West 200 event over the weekend.

The motorbike racer from Falmouth made his debut at the meet held annually in the coastal towns of Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush on a triangular street circuit.

High winds and crashes cut down the amount of rides Dunn was able to have over the event, but still the 27-year-old was pleased with how his weekend panned out, coming 20th in both he took part in.

Dunn said: "I was absolutely buzzing the whole time I was there.

"When we got there, a few of us had a ride on the circuit and as soon as I saw the coast which you drive past I started getting butterflies in my stomach.

"There was lots of support too from Cornwall, including a group who kept flying the Cornish flag everytime I drove past them which was special."

Alongside the racing, Dunn also clocked a top speed of 187.6mph, which was only beaten a few top riders including members of the iconic Dunlop family and professional rider and TV presenter Guy Martin.

"I have to say that did put a big smile on my face," Dunn admitted.

"When I was going round I felt like I was going about ten mph slower than everyone else, but when I saw the speed sheet, I was amazed."

Dunn also made several friends out in Northern Ireland among spectators and other riders, including Austria's Toni Rechberger.

The veteran competitor, who has 25 years experience of TT racing and was being filmed for a German TV documentary, had run out of fuel on the start line.

However, Dunn and his team came to the rescue by giving him enough to get around the track.

Dunn said: "There was a really good community feel to the whole weekend amongst the riders and supporters with everybody helping everyone, so I was pleased to meet so many people and help Toni in the way I did."

Next up for Forest will be the Ulster GP before potentially taking part in the Southern 100 on the Isle of Man.