Union Launches Bid to Save NW200

The Motorcycle Union of Ireland Ulster Centre MCUI(UC) is preparing a rescue package to prevent the loss of Northern Ireland’s prime road racing events.

Motorcycle clubs from across Northern Ireland voted for the cancellation because of the hikes in public indemnity insurance.

The move follows a motion to cancel all two-wheeled events in 2023 including the North West 200, Tandragee 100, Armoy and Cookstown 100 at an MCUI meeting of its member clubs on Thursday 9 Feb in Lisburn.

MCUI 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.’

Insurance has risen from a cost of £170k in 2022 to £410k in 2023. MCUI(UC) says clubs will be prepared to pay some of this increase through additional sponsorship and increased entry fees, but there is likely to remain a short fall of over £200k.

In addition, a capped £300k excess has been introduced, this along with the £200k shortfall means that the MCUI(UC) may need  to raise up to £500k in the short time term. However, the MCUI(UC) are confident that with funds in place that through renegotiation with the insurers it will be  possible to lower this amount. Clubs are also happy to pay some of the increased insurance costs.

Mr Dillon said: 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 licences and insurance cover for existing riders to compete overseas (UK mainland, Europe and Worldwide) because of revenue losses’

The MCUI(UC) Motorcycle Union of Ireland (Ulster Centre) is the governing body of Trials, Short Circuit and Road Racing in the province of Ulster.

TT

There has been some concern about the potential for this to impact on the TT, though Tim Crookall, the MHK with responsibility for motorsport says it won’t have any direct impact on the event.

Paul Phillips, business development, Isle of Man TT Races added: ‘We do not foresee any immediate issues with competitors and teams not wishing to or being able to compete at the TT because of the cancellation of the road racing events in Northern Ireland. We are in daily contact with many of those involved, and as previously stated any competitors that do find themselves impacted by the cancellations we will continue to work with.’