North West 200 organisers say they "deeply regret" the FHO Racing BMW team's decision to withdraw from the event.
The high-profile team - which includes riders Josh Brookes and Peter Hickman - were excluded from Thursday night's Briggs Equipment Superstock race due to a technical infringement.
Their M1000RR bikes have homologated carbon fibre wheels which are not allowed in the regulations.
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Brookes voiced his disappointment on the BBC just moments before the race was due to begin, with the Australian British Superbike rider standing on the grid in his leathers.
And later on Thursday night the FHO team issued a statement to confirm their withdrawal, despite also having entries in the Superbike class.
In it they said they had "no confidence in the application of the Superstock technical regulations".
North West 200 organisers issued a statement late on Thursday night, explaining the regulations are enforced by the Motorcycle Union of Ireland under which their event is run.
They said: "The technical regulations of the Motorcycle Union of Ireland (Ulster Centre), under which the fonaCAB and Nicholl Oils North West 200 is run, state that carbon wheels are not permitted for use at any MCUI road race event.
"Those regulations, which are implemented by the MCUI Stewards of the Meeting, were approved by the sport’s governing body in January 2023 and published on the North West 200’s website at that stage.
"The FHO Racing BMW team were informed by the MCUI’s Stewards after qualifying on Thursday afternoon that their riders, Peter Hickman and Josh Brookes, would be excluded from the Briggs Equipment Superstock race as their machines were fitted with carbon wheels.
"The NW200 organisers were informed of the Steward’s decision, which is final and binding upon the event, at 21.30pm on Thursday night during the final Steward’s meeting.
"No such action had been discussed with the NW200 organisers prior to this time despite the machines having been scrutineered on both Tuesday and Thursday morning."
The controversy has led to a lot of criticism from bike fans, with much of it aimed at the North West 200 organisers.
Former rider and pundit Steve Parrish said the incident was "very embarrassing", while BBC commentator Keith Huewen questioned whether MCUI and North West 200 officials "collaborate efficiently".
The NW200 statement added: "We deeply regret the FHO Racing BMW team’s decision to withdraw from the event tonight as a result of this action, a sentiment we know will be shared by all NW200 race fans."
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