Roads: Motorcycle Union of Ireland Ulster Centre launch GoFundMe campaign

The Motorcycle Union of Ireland Ulster Centre has launched a GoFundMe appeal following the shock news that all road racing in Northern Ireland has been cancelled this year.

Events, including the North West 200, have been called off due to the soaring prices of public liability insurance. Alongside road racing, the Ulster Superbike Championship and trials events have also been called off.

The target for the fundraiser is £300,000, with funds being managed by an accountancy firm based in Belfast. At the time of writing, the GoFundMe page has raised £71,503 with over 2500 donations.

The official description of the funding page reads:

“The motorcycle world was rocked here in Northern Ireland when news of the hike in insurance was made clear to all the promoting motorcycle clubs. It was clear to these clubs within the MCUI(UC) that the increase was unaffordable to most if not all running events this year.

“The clubs could not agree to progress with the purchase of the insurance policy, despite knowing fully that this would mean the cancellation of all two-wheeled sport in Northern Ireland in 2023. The MCUI(UC), not having the funds to purchase the insurance could therefore not continue.

“We are now asking our fans, those that love their racing, their road racing and trials to help us by kindly donating directly to our insurance shortfall fund to give us the chance to have racing this year. Your efforts, if successful will result in most if not all two-wheeled sport being back on our calendar.

“This is the official MCUI(UC) fundraising page. All funds received will be managed by ASM Accountants in Belfast, (www.asmaccountants.com) for good governance and full transparency.”

Events cancelled due to insurance costs:

• North West 200
• Cookstown 100
• Tandragee 100
• Armoy Race of Legends
• Ulster Grand Prix
• Sunflower trophy at Bishopscourt
• Ulster Superbike Championship
• Trials

Fans can make their donations here.

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The organisers of the North West 200 have released a statement following the shock announcement that the event, and all other motorcycle racing events in Northern Ireland, have been cancelled.

The Ulster Centre of the Motorcycle Union of Ireland held a meeting on Thursday night (February 9), and the decision was reached by the organising clubs due to the soaring public liability insurance costs in the country – with prices reported to have tripled this year.

Public liability insurance covers the cost of claims made by members of the public for incidents that occur in connection with the races.

“The organisers of the North West 200, the Coleraine and District Motor Club, have been working tirelessly to mitigate the pressure created by these extra costs,” today’s statement reads. “The club was confident it could manage the initial premium increase but with other events unable to do so, the transfer of extra charges to the North West 200 created an unsustainable financial burden.

“Yesterday the sport’s governing body, the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland (UC), announced the cancellation of all motorcycle sporting events in Northern Ireland this year. But the organisers of the NW200 have not given up the fight. We cannot afford to lose an event that has been running for over 90 years and plays such a vital role in the economy of the north coast area.

“We have been overwhelmed by the messages and offers of support we have received today and whilst we understand the decision taken by the MCUI (UC), the Coleraine and District Motor club will continue in its efforts to stage the North West 200 on May 7-13.

“Plans were already in place to welcome new competitors to the event during an induction day next Tuesday, February 14. Both that event and the Meet the Stars race launch, scheduled for February 15, will go ahead as planned and we will continue to keep everyone informed of our progress.”

Alongside the NW200, the affected events include:

• Cookstown 100
• Tandragee 100
• Armoy Race of Legends
• Ulster Grand Prix
• Sunflower Trophy at Bishopscourt
• Ulster Superbike Championship

The cancellations are a huge blow for the motorcycle racing industry in Northern Ireland, and also for tourism as the NW200 is the country’s biggest outdoor event.

Motocross events have not been affected by the decision.

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The 2023 North West 200 plus all other road racing events, short circuit events and trials in Northern Ireland have been cancelled following an emergency meeting of the Ulster Centre of the Motorcycle Union of Ireland.

The decision was reached by the organising clubs due to the soaring Public Liability insurance costs in the country – with prices reported to have tripled this year. Public liability insurance covers the cost of claims made by members of the public for incidents that occur in connection with the races.

The NW200 is one of the biggest road racing events of the year, taking place prior to the Isle of Man TT each season, with several big names and teams, from the roads and from the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, taking part.

Alongside the NW200, the affected events include:

• Cookstown 100
• Tandragee 100
• Armoy Race of Legends
• Ulster Grand Prix
• Sunflower Trophy at Bishopscourt
• Ulster Superbike Championship

“The consensus was that the costs proposed were, at this time, unsustainable for most clubs in order to provide the required Public Liability cover to run our planned events,” a statement from the Ulster Centre of the Motorcycle Union of Ireland said. “The MCUI (UC) will, however, continue to pursue all options for the provision of Public Liability insurance, should they arise in the near future.

“Our immediate attention must now turn to the competitors, who have invested much planning and expense for the 2023 year, to date. To that end, the MCUI (UC) will continue to issue licences and are still endeavouring to procure competitor Personal Accident insurance cover for the 2023 year.

“Although there will be no MCUI (UC) events run in 2023, this will allow MCUI (UC) licence holders to avail of insurance cover required for starting permission applications in order to compete in events elsewhere, outside of the MCUI (UC) jurisdiction.

“We appreciate that this situation is far from ideal, however although we have been unable to secure the running of events for this year, this arrangement and decision will go a little way to at least allowing licence holders the opportunity to engage in competitive events, should they wish, with the appropriate cover and security.”

The cancellations are a huge blow for the motorcycle racing industry in Northern Ireland, and also for tourism as the NW200 is the country’s biggest outdoor event.

Motocross events have not been affected by the decision.