Roads: Welsh Road Race set to be called off

Published: 02 February 2018 Updated: 02 February 2018

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The all-new Welsh Road Race event set to take place in the Brecon Beacons later this year has run into difficulty and been called off.

MCN understands the Auto Cycle Union (ACU) has been unable to sanction the event due to organisers being unable to meet a list of requirements by the date the event is due to take place.

Confirming the news, a statement from the Welsh Road Race blamed a revision to the Road Traffic Act in Wales for the complications.

“We are working closely with the ACU, Crown Properties and Powys County Council to organise the Welsh Road Race, and under the new changes in legislation, the new deadlines that have been imposed, will make it very difficult to carry out a safe and successful event,”said Derek Smith, Managing Director of the Welsh Road Race.”

Paul King, Chairman of the ACU Road Race Committee added: “Following concerns raised with the Auto Cycle Union at the end of the year about the proposed Welsh Road Race in August 2018, Members of the ACU Road Race Committee recently met with the event organisers, to understand what was being proposed and what was required for the event to progress.

“In order for the ACU Road Race Committee to sanction the event, a list of requirements required from the Organisers was agreed. It would appear that the timetable to achieve the event for 2018 cannot be achieved.

“The ACU Road Race Committee will endeavour to assist the organisers in progressing the event for 2019.”

The event was due to take place between 3^rd-5^th August this year on a 5.25 mile circuit held over public roads.

The project was the brainchild of Derek Smith (Chariman of Aberdare Park and General Secretary of the East South Wales ACU) and Phil Morris (Businessman, team manager and owner of Owestry Road Racing Museum). Former BSB and TT race winner Steve Plater was also heavily involved in the project.

When news of the event broke at the Motorcycle Live show last November, it was very well received despite some claims made by organisers being brought into dispute. Early press information claimed 23-time TT winner John McGuinness had expressed an interest in racing in the event, but it was later revealed that this was not the case. Similarly, claims that ACU General Secretary and Isle of Man TT Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson was set to take on a similar role for the Welsh race were also dismissed.

Since November, organisers have been selling tickets for the event online. That ticket page has recently been suspended, citing a ‘temporary fault’ with the ticketing system. Those who have bought tickets will receive an email with details on how to claim a refund.

By Oli Rushby

Former sports reporter covering British Superbikes, World Superbikes and road racing