MCUI Ulster Centre says motorcycle racing won't resume this year 'if it were to have a negative impact upon the NHS'

An update from the sport’s governing body in Northern Ireland revealed that a draft document, in response to Sport NI’s framework for a resumption of sport against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, is ‘predicated on two key principles’.

Specifically, the Ulster Centre says ‘we will not resume unless given the green light by the NI Executive/Sport NI’ and ‘we will not resume if it were to have a negative impact upon HSC (the NHS)’.

Furthermore, a statement added: “In addition, it is important to remember these draft guidelines will be in relation to entering into Stage 5 of the process, and not as we are at present.

“In time, there will be the need for further guidance from NI Executive and Sport NI on staging larger sporting events eg: any NI conditions on mass gatherings will apply eg: size, etc; therefore we may need to review/update this documentation again i.e. it will continue to be a ‘living’ document.

“This document has been developed in consultation with a number of representatives of clubs, MCUI UC committees and personnel as well as a large number of sources of information from WHO, UK Government, NI Executive, Sport NI, Labour Relations Agency, etc.

“The draft guidance was submitted to Sport NI on 19th June 2020 for onward transmission to the Department for Communities for their approval and has also been issued to our Clubs on 30th June 2020 for further consultation with their members.”

After remaining largely silent as most of the Irish motorcycle races scheduled for 2020, including the North West 200 and Armoy meetings, were cancelled, the MCUI Ulster Centre issued a statement at the end of May, which said it was ‘too early’ to make a final decision on the remainder of the season.

As it stands, the Cookstown 100 organisers hope to run their event in September, while the promoters of one or two short circuit events haven’t given up on the prospect of their races going ahead later in the summer. The Tandragee 100 remains postponed, but no alternative dates have been suggested to run the race this year.

All Irish national road races in the Republic of Ireland were cancelled in March by Motorcycling Ireland, which incorporates the MCUI Southern Centre.

The organisation’s president, Sean Bissett, issued a statement in May that was heavily critical of plans to press ahead with the Cookstown 100.

Bissett said Motorcycling Ireland was ‘alarmed and annoyed to read that some individual clubs were still intending to promote events in this current climate’.

He added: “We also feel that they are bringing our sport unnecessarily into the public spotlight when the governments of Ireland are still trying to keep this epidemic under control.”

Following Mr Bissett’s condemnation, the views of the Directors of the MCUI (UC) were sought on whether or not the rest of the season should be cancelled.

The majority were in favour of writing off the rest of 2020 and starting anew next year. A statement to that effect was prepared, which was due for imminent release.

However, the Ulster Centre’s Secretary and General Press Officer, David McAllister, said he was requested to hold the statement back.

A further statement prepared by Ulster Centre chairman John McClure outlining his views on the current situation was then circulated amongst the UC Directors.

In that statement, he advised that it was ‘too early to make any decision on any event’, adding that a framework document released by Sport NI on May 22 providing guidance on a resumption of sport, was being ‘reviewed for guidance and compliance’.

Motorcycle racing is included in the non-contact sports category and falls within Step 5 of the guidance, which is in line with the NI Executive’s Five-Step Plan for easing lockdown. Any conditions in place relating to the size of public gatherings in Northern Ireland will also apply in Step 5.

See also: Cookstown 100 taking online bookings for September race.* A message from the Editor:

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