2023 Road Racing Insurance Crisis

The Facts :

• The harsh reality is that road racing (both Irish / Northern Irish events) are facing an insurance crisis.
• Without insurance there will be no racing.
• The previous cost of insurance was expensive, but the current costs anticipated for 2023 are so expensive they are –currently– likely to be unaffordable.
• The risks involved in paying for insurance now need weighed up by the Clubs. Can they afford it, and if so what happens in the case of poor weather, poor spectator attendance, and poor spectator programme / ticket purchases – when these things are considered are the risks still worth it?
• Trials events have already been cancelled in Ireland.
• No insurance is currently in place for MCI or MCI(UC) events – however negotiations are ongoing.
• Brexit has affected MCI Insurance options. Previously UK Insurers were used for MCI events, however this now has to be sought through European Insurers.

No official comment has been made by the MCI or MCI(UC) however the skuttlebutt is that the latest quote for insurance has seen an increase in 300% from last year’s premium.

The Good News :

The Cookstown Club have made a comment, and at the time of writing are the only Club to have done so.

The remain positive for a 2023 event however do recognise the current situation and the risks that are currently hanging over motorcycling as a sport.

The have made these comments through a post on their official Facebook Page.

The full statement is available below.

*Cookstown Club Statement*

After being inundated with PMs & messages,the Cookstown Club can confirm that it is very much their intention to continue and prepare for the 101st running of the Cookstown 100 on the 21st & 22nd of April 2023.

Whilst it is public knowledge and the insurance quote which was received by the MCUI UC has raised concerns for organising clubs, we are hopeful that other quotes which are waiting to be issued may contain a more reasonable option to the MCUI UC,so we will continue to correspond with them over the next week or two.

Cookstown club are also currently behind the scenes preparing documents and preparing various options of the organisation of the event in regards to liabilities etc for presentation, as a possible alternative option to be submitted to various insurance brokers,to maximize the possiblity of gaining a viable quote so the event can take place,should they need to take this direction in the next few weeks..

We continue to ask for the support of spectators and competitors by getting packages asap and returning their entry’s asap (all of which is fully refunded should event not take place),as we need to know any option offered to us, would be viable and sustainable to the Cookstown Club, before any commitment by us as a club is undertaken in regards to purchasing a expensive Insurance policy.

As the past few years has proven,if anyone will fight to keep the sport alive,it will most certainly be individuals within the Cookstown Club and we will keep going even up to the final few hours of the event again this year!!

Any further updates,we will issue at the earliest opportunity, but currently the Cookstown 100 is most certainly still running from the organising Clubs point of view.

We ask that the public only rely on official statements issued by the Cookstown club and avoid speculation or rumours from others who have nothing whatsoever to do with the organising Club.

CDMCC

Chairman

What can we do?

I know most of us already know and accept this, but for those that don’t, or are maybe new to the sport…

As fans of road racing it is time to accept we have a role to play. The most important thing is supporting the events. In the most simple terms, buy a programme.

Buy one or do one.

Outside of that consider joining your local Club / Supporters Group, most of them cost about a tenner which is a small price to pay.

Stay positive. Of course it is annoying if the weather doesn’t play nice for an event, but hey ho, that’s what happens with our weather. It can be glorious in May and bitterly cold in August. Bring a coat, an umbrella, waterproofs… but most importantly accept that the weather is not something the Club can be held to account. If the weather halts or cancels a race or event, accept it. The safety of the competitors is an absolute priority.

Stay Positive. Unfortunately racing incidents happen. That may involve a delay or cancellation of the races, even end an event. Accept it. Chances are someone / a family has something far more severe to deal with than your inconvenience.

Stay Positive. As an attendee of race events you can be the promoter. Social media is powerful, so when you have a good time post it, photos, videos, posts. Share your experience. If people see how good an event is they may decide to give it a go the following event / year, and all new numbers are only a positive factor for the sport moving on.

Stay Positive and Learn the etiquette. That may sound strange to people unfamiliar with the sport, however there is a very real and established etiquette. Be careful what you post, or share online and when. Posting details of a racing incident before the details of the incident have been released in an official Press Release is an absolute NO. Imagine information reaching a family via your Tweet. Imagine your Tweet was wrong! I shall say no more. Posting graphic or traumatic footage / images is an absolute NO. If you need that explained further I am sure that no one wants you at the event anyway, so stay away, you won’t be missed.

Get Involved. Go to the events, enjoy the racing, then look at the Calendar and see where your next stop will be.