Phillip McCallen's Classic Bike Festival at Bishopscourt cancelled due to Covid-19 outbreak

The two-day motorcycling extravaganza, held for the first time to great acclaim in 2019, had been scheduled to take place at Bishopscourt Racing Circuit in Co Down from August 1-2.

Jointly organised by Phillip McCallen and Robin Titterington, the festival was due to feature Classic racing for the first time this year in addition to parade laps and displays of rare classic racing machinery.

A statement issued by the event organisers said the decision to cancel the event had been taken based on current guidance from Sport NI.

It read: ‘It has been a difficult year for motorcycle racing and in line with current guidance from Sport NI our Classic Bike Festival Ireland is unfortunately unable to run over the weekend of the 1st & 2nd August.

“The safety of all those involved with the Classic Bike Festival Ireland was the most important issue when making our decision. We would like to thank our sponsors GO, our club members and all others who have been part of the Classic Bike Festival Ireland.

“We will, as will all others in motorcycle clubs, look forwards to our racing events in 2021.”

The festival is the latest motorcycling event to fall foul of the Covid-19 outbreak, which has led to the cancellation of the North West 200 and Armoy road races, and all national road races in the Republic of Ireland.

At present, the Cookstown 100 organisers hope to run their postponed road race in September. The Tandragee 100 – due to have taken place in May – is also postponed, but no other dates for the event this year have been mooted.

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