The Motorcycle Road Racing Club of Ireland (MCRRCI) has followed the lead of the organisers of the North West 200 and reduced entry fees for its Irish Superbike meetings.
The MCRRCI is offering riders entry fees at a discounted price if they pay in full by March 16 for the Easter Saturday meeting at Bishopscourt near Downpatrick on March 30.
This month, NW200 event director, Mervyn Whyte, revealed that riders would be offered free entries to all races at the international road race in May.
And now the MCRRCI has followed suit, albeit stopping short of scrapping fees altogether.
The club has also amalgamated the Irish Superbike and Clubmans championships this year in an effort to boost the flagging fortunes of short circuit racing in Northern Ireland.
Mark Sanlon, press officer for the MCRRCI, said: “Entry fees are one of the competitor’s outlays before an event and over the last number of years in the wake of the Regal, Lambert & Butler sponsorship money, prize funds are generated through entry fees, spectator admission charges and the clubs own funding through club sponsors and friends.
“Therefore entry fees have been increasing year on year to meet the deficits clubs have endured through low entry and spectator numbers etc.
“With only a small number of competitors obtaining the prize money from these events and the low prospects of obtaining an event sponsor the only prize money to be paid out this season at our club, events will be for the race classes sponsored on the day.
“The club will continue to present trophies to podium positions,” he added.
“With ever increasing running costs, the MCRRCI and our partners in the Killinchy Club have decided to take a calculated risk and reduce the entry fees for competitors who pay in full by the closing date March 16.
“We have spent a considerable amount of time over the last few months at club meetings discussing the best way forward this season in trying to obtain full grids and hopefully replicate the events of old, when our events took place at Aghadowey with bumper crowds of spectators and a large quality line up of competitors.
“We endeavour to produce a full race day’s programme for the spectators who will once again attend an event with full grids in every race.”
Regulations and entry forms are now available for the Easter Saturday event at Bishopscourt, with solo competitors offered the discounted single event fee of £60 or £100 for two or more events.
Late entry fees for solo riders will be £100 and £150 for two or more events.
Entry forms can be downloaded at www.mcrrci.co.uk.
Comments