Editorial: An air of optimism for Northern Ireland motorcycle road racing fans in 2026

The dawn of the new year brings with it plenty of reason for optimism among fans of motorcycle road racing in Northern Ireland.

The sport faced a bleak few years during the Covid-19 pandemic, while exorbitant insurance costs later placed its very existence in doubt.

In February 2023, almost every Irish motorcycle road race along with scheduled meetings on purpose-built race tracks at Bishopscourt and Kirkistown in Co Down were cancelled, with the soaring costs involved in obtaining public liability insurance proving insurmountable.

However, a major crisis was avoided with weeks to spare before the first planned race on the calendar, when motorcycling’s governing body in Northern Ireland – the MCUI (Ulster Centre) – obtained a revised insurance quote, while some £92,000 raised by a public crowdfunding campaign made it possible for racing to go ahead.

The sport has gradually rebounded and 2025 heralded the return of the popular Tandragee 100 road races in Co Armagh for the first time since 2022, while there was positive news on the famous Ulster Grand Prix, which has not taken place at Dundrod since 2019 after the organising club racked up debts of £300,000 and entered in to a company voluntary arrangement with creditors.

A fresh bid to revive the historic event was announced in November with Stormont support, and a much anticipated return for one of the world’s top road races in 2027 is mooted.

In a further boost, the Mid Antrim 150 in Clough is back on the calendar for the first time since 2022, while there is a realistic prospect of road races returning in the Republic of Ireland after a three-year absence, where insurance challenges have also posed a major hurdle for clubs.