Coronavirus crisis forces cancellation of Armoy Road Races in July

On Friday, the organisers issued a statement and confirmed the ‘Race of Legends’ would not take place this year.

The statement said: “In view of current extension to the ‘stay at home’ restrictions relating to the Coronavirus public health crisis and the advice from the sport’s governing body, it is with great regret that the Directors and Chairman of Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club Limited have agreed that the Armoy Road Races and Bayview Hotel Race of Legends, due to take place on 24th & 25th July, will unfortunately be cancelled for 2020.

“Throughout the course of the last few weeks, we had continued to plan for our race in the event that restrictions could be lifted or relaxed. However, in the light of the recent review by local government and the ongoing economic impact on everyone, we believe that cancelling our event until 2021, is in the best interest of all concerned.

“We would like to extend our thanks to all our sponsors, not least our title sponsor the Bayview Hotel, for their commitment to Armoy again in 2020 and for their understanding of our decision to cancel this year’s event. We send them all our very best wishes in these difficult and uncertain times.

“We apologise for any disruption this cancellation may cause to those of you who have made travel plans to come to Armoy but we do hope to see you all again in the near future.”

The announcement follows the postponement of the Cookstown 100, Tandragee 100 and North West 200 road races. The Cookstown organisers have stated their intention of rescheduling their event for September, but no alternative dates have yet been suggested for the Tandragee 100 or North West 200.

All road races in the Republic of Ireland have been cancelled, including Kells, Cork, Skerries, Walderstown, Faugheen and the East Coast Festival at Killalane.

The Ulster Grand Prix is also a non-starter this year as a result of the financial crisis the Dundrod Club is currently facing, while the Isle of Man TT and Southern 100 were cancelled in March.

* A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Irish and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. To subscribe, click here.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Thank you,

Alistair Bushe

Editor