Organisers of the Kennedy International North West 200 have taken the decision to proceed with tomorrow's event.

And it has been announced that Robert's funeral will take place on Sunday, May 18at 4.00pm in Garryduff Presbyterian Church near Ballymoney.

He will be buried afterwards in the adjoining cemetery where his brother, Joey, was buried in 2000.

The service will be conducted by the minister of Garryduff, Rev John Gilkinson along with Motor Cycle Union of Ireland chaplain Rev John Kirkpatrick.

They are the same ministers who conducted Joey's funeral.

On the race itself, Coleraine and District Motor Club, who organise the event, say they believe the event will be a fitting tribute to Robert Dunlop who died during a practice session on Thursday evening.

Before making the decision to run the event Clerk of Course Mervyn Whyte spoke to Robert's widow Louise and sponsors and they have given their full support to tomorrow's event.

Mervyn Whyte: "Robert was a wonderful ambassador for the North West 200 and for Northern Ireland and we believe he would have wished the event to go ahead.

"Robert will be remembered with great fondness by all who knew him. His presence, sense of humour, enthusiasm and love for life will be sorely missed. Our prayers and deepest sympathies are with Louise, Robert's sons Michael, William and Daniel and the wider family circle. Our thoughts are also with Darren Burns who was injured last night.

As a mark of respect to the Dunlop family and the motorcycling fraternity at large, all events in the paddock and hospitality area will be cancelled today.

Race Day will take place tomorrow as planned with roads closing at 10am. Prior to the first race a minute's silence will be held.