Statement on September plans for Cookstown 100 road races

The Co Tyrone meeting was set to open the 2020 road racing season in April, but was postponed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Club chairman John Dillon says plans to reschedule the event for September 11-12 are going ahead as he responded to criticism on social media over the possibility of the race actually taking place later in the year.

In a statement issued online, he said: “Our plans still remain the same to run on the 11th and 12th of September 2020. We have sought our Road Closing Order and our Permit from MCUI (UC) on the above date.

“The club continues behind the scenes to put in place, pre-book and arrange everything that it takes and that is needed for our event to take place on the above date.

"The club could have cancelled this year, but it continues to prepare for September to give riders and spectators something to look forward to in the midst of these hard times.

“Although we will be taking advice and direction from various organisations and will have to abide by any legislation currently in place at the time of event, we are hopeful that with graduate (sic) eases of restrictions due to commence in ROI, that NI Executive may also align with these measures, and we will get to provide both riders a venue to get a spin out in 2020 and spectators a chance to see some racing, from the guys who always put on a great show.”

The statement continued: “As no one knows exactly how this will all work or what the situation will be at the time of event, we as a club will do everything we can, right up to the last to try to make this happen in September.

“A possible other option which is being looked at is that if the event can be run with limited numbers directed by government, that the club will provide an online booking system, to which spectators will be able to pre-book access to the event. This will only be an option and put in place if directed by relevant organisations.

“I hope this clarifys (sic) to the public that we are continuing to push forward with the organising of the event and do everything in our power to bring the Cookstown 100 in 2020.”

The Tandragee 100 and North West 200 are currently postponed indefinitely, while July's Armoy meeting has been cancelled along with all scheduled national road races in the Republic of Ireland.

See also: At-a-glance - Impact of coronavirus on the 2020 road racing calendar* 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