Still too early to make a decision on motorcycling season, says sport's governing body in Northern Ireland

However, in a statement issued on Tuesday evening, the sport’s governing body in Northern Ireland said any remaining events scheduled in 2020 would only go ahead with the ‘support and agreement of government, local councils, PSNI, insurance and the wonderful NHS’.

The statement said: “The local Motorcycle Governing Body, the MCUI Ulster Centre have recently received a framework document from Sport NI, and are presently reviewing the 24 page document for guidance & compliance. Motorcycling (Motorsport) is classified as non contact (stage 5). We are currently in stage 1.

“As guidance and restrictions continue to change, it is still too early to make any decision on all events and we will continue to develop our operational plan to resume if possible whilst continuing to review and communicate with the various relevant authorities in the coming months.

“If any events were to go ahead it would only be with the support and agreement with our Government, Local Councils, PSNI, Insurance and the wonderful NHS.”

The statement also highlighted the need for agreement with the various officials such as timekeepers, marshals and medical personnel in order to proceed with any race meetings this year.

“Within the sport, we also need the agreement of the dedicated medical teams and first aiders, timekeepers, scrutineering, marshals, flag marshals and all the fantastic people it takes to run a race, not forgetting the people we're actually all here for, the competitors and the race fans.

“If it turns out that that's not possible this year then at least the operational plan will have been developed so we're a step closer to running next year.”

The statement comes after the sport’s governing body in the Republic of Ireland, Motorcycling Ireland – incorporating the Southern Centre – condemned Ulster Centre clubs for pressing ahead with plans to run their events ‘in the current climate’.

All Irish road races in the south in 2020 have been cancelled and Motorcycling Ireland President, Sean Bissett, suggested in last week’s divisive statement that the sport was being cast in a bad light.

Mr Bissett made his comments after the Cookstown 100 organisers last week revealed they intended to run their event with restrictions on spectator numbers in September.

On Friday, 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 and a statement to that effect was prepared, which was due for release on Saturday morning.

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 outlined his views on the current situation, which was 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 Friday – providing guidance on a resumption of sport in Northern Ireland – 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.

At present, sports organisations are currently planning how to implement Step 1 of Sport NI’s Framework advice.

When sport progresses through the various stages of the guidance and eventually reaches Step 5, spectators would ‘be able to attend live events on a restricted basis’, but also in line with the Public Health Agency’s guidelines at the time.

Any conditions in place relating to the size of public gatherings in Northern Ireland will also apply in Step 5.

Currently, groups of up to six people who do not share a household are permitted to meet outside.

* 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