The sport of street sport-bike racing is in crisis mode after many of the organizing clubs in Northern Ireland deemed it impossible to run their events due to soaring insurance costs.
The previous year has seen public liability insurance premiums soar to over $480,000 per issuance, a levy put almost solely on the clubs themselves and event sponsors. Canceled events include the Cookstown 100, Tandragee 100, Armoy Race of Legends, Ulster Grand Prix and Sunflower Trophy at Bishopscourt.
At this stage, the North West 200 and the Isle of Man TT are still going ahead for 2023, although the Ulster Superbike Championship, a series where many of the NW200 and TT’s stars race, will not go ahead this year.
Following the emergency meeting of various clubs, stake and shareholders, the Motorcycle Union of Ireland has said they will pursue every avenue possible to save road racing events, but noted any rescue package will need to be in excess of $600,000.
Speaking to crash.net, Motorcycle Union of Ireland chairman John Dillon said, “We cannot afford the premium hikes but nor can we afford to stop the events. Members of the MCUI (UC) board and I are now urgently pursuing a series of options and sources including the launch of a crowd funding campaign.
“If racing doesn’t take place in 2023, not only will it be nearly impossible to bring it back in 2024, we will also lose the new riders coming through the ranks.
“There has been a groundswell of support from across all sections of the media and it is clear that we have the support of all race fans making the option of crowd funding a real option to save our sport.
“Additionally, it will become increasingly difficult for the MCUI (UC) to provide licenses and insurance cover for existing riders to compete overseas because of revenue losses.
“Motorcycle racing, especially road racing, is unique on the island of Ireland. It is part of our culture and heritage, and we’ve been racing on roads for over 100 years. MCUI (UC) license holders have always and continue to punch well above their weight and we are proud to have many world champions that come from Northern Ireland.” CN
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