As this situation evolves and affects more events TBNI.Blog will endeavour to keep you up to date.
The TBNI Road Racing Calendar will be updated as soon as new information comes to light so make sure you are subscribed to that : https://tbni.blog/road-racing-calendar/
You will also find new information as soon as it is available through the TBNI Facebook Page and TBNI Twitter Feed.
For more advice and guidance please visit : https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
If you have symptoms of coronavirus (a high temperature or a new, continuous cough), use the 111 coronavirus service.
In an emergency dial 999 (or your country’s specific emergency number) and ask for an ambulance.
This post is now even more poignant given the postponements and cancellation of many 2020 events due to the global Covid-19 pandemic. Please take the time to read and digest…
I am going to ‘Stickie’ this post until around the start of the Season because I think all road racing fans need to read and share it. The future of Irish Road Racing is in the balance and that balance is slowing tipping the wrong way!
It is relatively bleak reading, but it raises some very valid points. In 2020 we have definitely lost the Enniskillen Road Races with that event opting to relocate to a circuit. Also the Ulster Grand Prix looks very like it will not have a 2020 event – its future beyond that looks grim if the rumoured figures of debt are even remotely true and Cookstown have went on record saying that another bad year or two will put their event in real jeopardy.
2020 Cookstown 100 Spectator Information :
It has been a busy 24 hrs for the Cookstown 100 Team and following the announcement in relation to competitors we now have further news in relation to spectators and how getting a ticket for the 2020 Cookstown 100 will work.
The following has been released (24th June 2020) in relation to spectating at this years scheduled event :
** SPECTATOR ANNOUNCEMENT**
As previously announced, Cookstown 100 will be run as a closed event this year and will have to run with limited numbers of spectators allowed to be present at the event, whilst this will not please everyone, it is the only possible way in which the event will be allowed to be ran and we ask that such decision is respected as it is not within the club power to over turn this decision!
From today spectators can make use of our online booking system to obtain packages as follows for the event.
2 day package which includes – A programme with a wristband attached, club badge plus postage – £25
1 day Friday package which includes – A programme with a Friday wristband attached plus postage – £17.50
1 day Saturday package which includes – A programme with a Saturday wristband attached plus postage – £17.50
For those who wish to purchase a programme but do not wish to attend, these can also be purchased for £17.50 which includes postage.
Kids under 13 will not be charged when accompanied by an adult. We do ask for numbers of kids attending when booking.
WRISTBANDS WILL NOT BE SOLD SEPARATELY.
There is a very limited amount of spectators allowed,and the online booking system is on a first come first served basis, so it is up to public to secure their packages as the club cannot issue any further when the numbers are reached. Nor will any member of the club reserve any of the above packages for anyone.
To book any of the above packages, go to PayPal and make purchase through sending payment to cookstown100@hotmail.com and using friend option.
Please verify which package you whish to purchase ie. 1day Friday package or 1 day Saturday package at time of purchase, please confirm your name and address also at time of purchase.
When the programmes are printed, all packages will be sent out in August to everyone who has purchased and booked online.
Online purchases to book you spot is available from today.
CDMCC
The following important announcement / amendment has also been released :
Keep up with all the latest News on the Official Cookstown 100 Facebook Group, the Official Cookstown 100 Twitter Feed and the Official Cookstown 100 website.
As this situation evolves and affects more events TBNI.Blog will endeavour to keep you up to date.
The TBNI Road Racing Calendar will be updated as soon as new information comes to light so make sure you are subscribed to that : https://tbni.blog/road-racing-calendar/
You will also find new information as soon as it is available through the TBNI Facebook Page and TBNI Twitter Feed. So Follow those also.
Iron Butt Association Ireland 2019 Photo Rally :
I know the 2020 IBA Ireland Photo Rally is already, sort of, underway however with the current travel restrictions in place it is likely that most entrants and would be / will be participants haven’t got too far into the competition, yet.
However that is all about to change because as of 29th June 2020 Ireland will enter Phase 3 of it’s Coronavirus Recovery schedule and as such all travel restrictions within the island of Ireland will be lifted, enabling the 2020 IBA Ireland Photo Rally to get well and truly underway.
Entries are being accepted for the 2020 until 31st July 2020 – so you still have time : https://www.ibaireland.org/wolfhoundrally?fbclid=IwAR2zuxax_RrGMQZfALzd4WWd3Dqh3H-lUKxm_15izGIlEP9aF_NueqtSvA8
You can check any restrictions currently in place in the Republic of Ireland here : https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/d06271-easing-the-covid-19-restrictions-on-29-june-phase-3/#transport-and-travel
Northern Ireland Restrictions can be found here : https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-regulations-guidance-and-what-they-mean-you
I have previously posted the 2019 IBA Ireland Photo Rally Slideshow in the Motorcycling Section of the site but in case you missed it I am mentioning it again.
So if you are undecided and in order to wet your appetite have a look at where the 2019 Iron Butt Association Ireland Photo Rally would have taken you…
Read moreIron Butt Association Ireland 2019 Photo Rally : Going Underground
2020 Cookstown 100 Competitor Information :
I’m sure most if not all competitors following the Official Cookstown 100 Channels, however I am also aware that sometimes information gets missed or bypassed especially in the world of social medial and thumb scrolling. So just in case – it does no harm to repost information to make sure it gets to the right people at the right time.
So in saying that the Cookstown 100 Club have issued a very important statement for all competitors hoping to race at the 2020 Cookstown 100, currently scheduled for September 2020.
Basically if you want to race, now is the time to get your entry sorted, yep right now.
Due to limited numbers of Competitors allowed to compete at the 2020 Cookstown 100 event, ALL competitors must send FULL PAYMENT of entry fees by the 17th July 2020.
Cheques must be sent and allow time to be received before this date and online payments will be available from tomorrow Wednesday the 23rd June via PayPal (using the friend option) at cookstown100@hotmail.com
This must be done by all competitors so the club can free up spaces for other riders who wish to enter, if those entered already do not make full payment by the above date so that the maximum number of Competitors allowed at event can be obtained on the day.
All riders who wish to check how much they have to pay contact race Secretary Norman Crooks on 02886764168/07900357982 before sending payment via PayPal or by sending cheque through post.
NO CASH ACCEPTED ON THE DAY.
ALL payments must be received by the 17th of July 2020 or your place will be given to another competitor. NO EXCEPTIONS will be made for late payments.
Cheques to be sent to 229 orritor Road Cookstown, BT80 9NB
CDMCC
Keep up with all the latest News on the Official Cookstown 100 Facebook Group, the Official Cookstown 100 Twitter Feed and the Official Cookstown 100 website.
As this situation evolves and affects more events TBNI.Blog will endeavour to keep you up to date.
The TBNI Road Racing Calendar will be updated as soon as new information comes to light so make sure you are subscribed to that : https://tbni.blog/road-racing-calendar/
You will also find new information as soon as it is available through the TBNI Facebook Page and TBNI Twitter Feed. So Follow those also.
2020 Revised MotoGP Calendar :
A revised calendar has been released for the 2020 Moto GP Season.
So soon we are going to have MotoGP bikes and BSB bikes back on track, all we need now is some road action!
After the MotoGP™ and MotoE™ 2020 calendars were released, motogp.com sat down with Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta to get his thoughts on the season ahead.
What can you tell us about the calendar?
“It has been hard work from our side and from the side of the promoters, finally we obtained these possibilities. Once we had the protocol approved then we are able to propose this calendar. In principle we have some circuits where we will repeat races one week after another, because this is easy for movement and to maintain the protocol, although there are others where we will have just one race. We thought when we ran into the problem of the pandemic, we realised we can do 13 races and then if it’s possible to go outside Europe it will be interesting. The races outside Europe need to be confirmed before the end of July, then also our agreement with the manufacturers and with the teams is to finish the Championship no later than the 13th of December, that means we need to decide which of the races to do, if all of them are possible, and we will decide which races we will have outside Europe. This is something we will put in the calendar as a proposal and we will decide on it no later than the end of July.”
So we’re waiting to see how the pandemic evolves and for permissions from authorities for the final four races at the end of the year?
“We need to wait because as we’ve commented before, to do the races outside Europe it’s necessary to do it with spectators. We are waiting to see the development of health measures in other countries, in the States, Argentina, Malaysia and Thailand, and then we will see what is possible to include in the calendar.”
Could the season, potentially, finish in Malaysia?
“We will see. It’s a possibility, but all the races outside of Europe are pending and we don’t know exactly. If there are no races outside Europe then the Championship will finish like every year in Valencia, if not it depends which races are able to do it but Malaysia is one possibility, yes.”
What more can you tell us about the protocol for going racing?
“The protocol is the hardest one we have. We’ve presented it to everyone. If the situation improves later there could be some changes, but always in agreement with the authorities, but today it’s the protocol we have presented to everyone – from the teams to the FIM, it’s the protocol we will use from the beginning of the Championship.”
And we also have the MotoE™ calendar now announced…
“Yes. There will be five rounds: two in Jerez, two in Misano and one round in France. The second Misano round and the Le Mans round will have two races.”
Do you have a message for the paddock?
“I wish you all the best possible season. The most important thing is for everyone to take care of their health, and as always, we wish everyone a happy season with no crashes!”
PS5 Reveal :
The much anticipated Playstation 5 Reveal was held as an online streamed event on Thursday 11th June 2020, with it all kicking off at 9PM (BST).
If you missed it fear not, the entire show is available right now on YouTube for your viewing pleasure :
However if you don’t have the time right now to watch the entire 75 minutes of game trailers and reveals TBNI.Blog / T80GSA.com have you covered. Below you will find a complete list with screen grabs of every game announced at the event.
2020 BSB Restart Announced :
After a start to 2020 that was dominated by cancellations of pretty much every road racing event in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man we are starting to see little glimmers of hope pushing through in the event calendar. Firstly we have a 2020 Cookstown 100* to look forward to, along with a couple of events planned for Oliver’s Mount* and now we have a BSB Restart Schedule which will hopefully get bikes back on the track.
(• Subject to change)
The following Press Release has been published by the British Superbikes.
Motorcycle Live 2020 Cancelled :
IMPORTANT NEWS: Today the organisers of Motorcycle Live have released an important statement with regards to “Motorcycle Live in association with Bikesure Insurance 2020.”
Show organisers for Motorcycle Live regretfully announced today that following an extensive and detailed consultation period, it has been agreed to postpone this year’s show until 2021 with concern for public safety and the well-being of industry colleagues being central to the decision.
The following open letter has been issued from Managing Director of Motorcycle Live, Finlay McAllan:
“Motorcycle Live is all about audience interaction, meeting with friends, climbing onto all the latest machines and trying on the all latest gear. Many of us use it as an annual pilgrimage to meet with friends and family and enjoy a great day out together. And it’s not just the public who join us each day – we, alongside our industry colleagues – look forward to the event every year too. Therefore, as you can imagine, the decision to postpone this year’s show has not been taken lightly. Our concern for the safety of our visitors, exhibitors and industry colleagues is at the heart of this decision.
“As with any hard decision, we looked at it with a number of different perspectives and factored in various scenarios and restrictions that could be imposed. Running an event like Motorcycle Live under the COVID-19 related restrictions – such as adhering to social distancing requirements, restricting attendance numbers and dictating the direction of people around the hall – all ultimately would have impacted negatively on the experience of those attending and therefore the very essence of the show.
“The whole of the Motorcycle Live team is extremely disappointed – as we’re sure that you are too – but rest assured we will continue working behind the scenes to deliver you a fantastic show in 2021. In the meantime, stay safe and look after each other.”
Motorcycle Live 2021 will take place from 20 – 28 November.
If you are wondering what Motorcycle Live is like, the machine on display and what you could be missing, or you would just like a trip down memory lane then make sure to check out the TBNI.Blog Instagram Page or one of the reviews from the site :*
Keep up with all the latest News on Motorcycle Live via the Official Motorcycle Live Facebook Page, the Official Motorcycle Live Twitter Feed, Instagram Page and the Official Web Site.
As this situation evolves and affects more events TBNI.Blog will endeavour to keep you up to date.
The TBNI Road Racing Calendar will be updated as soon as new information comes to light so make sure you are subscribed to that : https://tbni.blog/road-racing-calendar/
You will also find new information as soon as it is available through the TBNI Facebook Page and TBNI Twitter Feed. So Follow those also.
Oliver’s Mount Racing Ltd. in conjunction with 243 Road Racing Association are delighted to announce that road racing is scheduled to go ahead for 2020.
Due to ongoing global coronavirus pandemic, the organisers have been forced to reschedule events, but now we can announce two action-packed three-day weekend events in 2020.
The Barry Sheene Classic was due to take place on the 25/26th July, this has now been rescheduled to the 14/15/16th August and will now be a three-day bonanza.
The hugely popular Gold Cup will remain on the 11/12/13th September as per our calendar set out at the start of the season, but now also extended to a three-day meeting!
Each meeting will have three thrilling days of road racing action, practice and qualifying on Friday, with two full days of racing on Saturday and Sunday.
Behind the scenes, Oliver’s Mount Racing Ltd have worked tirelessly to ensure road racing continues in 2020, and now with the full backing of Scarborough Borough Council, plus working in partnership with the ACU we can reveal our exciting news, Director Eddie Roberts added, “I’m delighted to reveal our exciting plans for Oliver’s Mount. We’ve been forced to delay the calendar, but now to have two 3-days meetings is brilliant news. More time on track on Friday will allow the riders to get back up to speed, and two full days of racing is unprecedented at Oliver’s. We must thank the local council and ACU for their support”.
“We are extremely excited to unveil our plans for the second half of 2020. We are proud to say that all our partners, Suzuki UK, RST, Arai, Bennetts, and Ashcourt’s are fully behind us and are extremely excited to be a part of the new three-day events at Oliver’s Mount.”
“However, we are in constant communication with the ACU, plus the local council and we will abide by any government restrictions which may come into effect later in the year. It goes without saying the safety of our supporters, teams, and riders must come before anything else.”
“Further information and details will follow in the coming weeks as only a limited number of pre-sold tickets will be available. There will be further restrictions for riders/entrants and paddock movement/occupancy. However, we are making plans in line with government and ACU guidelines.”
Current day/weekend/season tickets will be valid and tickets in limited numbers will be available from our partners Duke Marketing. We would like to assure our supporters if the event does not go-ahead full refunds will be made.
Rest assured, the team is working hard to make sure road racing continues at Oliver’s Mount with two, three-day events for 2020. More information/details will follow in the coming weeks. Don’t forget to see our popular social media channels, Instagram, Twitter and https://www.oliversmount.com.
Keep up with all the latest News on Oliver”s Mount via the Official Oliver’s Mount Road Racing Circuit Facebook Page. The Official Oliver’s Mount Twitter Feed and the Official Olivers’s Mount Website.
As this situation evolves and affects more events TBNI.Blog will endeavour to keep you up to date.
The TBNI Road Racing Calendar will be updated as soon as new information comes to light so make sure you are subscribed to that : https://tbni.blog/road-racing-calendar/
You will also find new information as soon as it is available through the TBNI Facebook Page and TBNI Twitter Feed. So Follow those also.
TT LOCK-IN 2020 :
Press Release from : https://www.iomttraces.com/news/experiences/tt-lock-in
Whilst the bikes may not be racing down Bray Hill this year, TT fans can look forward to 8 evenings of exclusive TT themed entertainment from the past, present and future as part of ‘TT Lock-In’ fuelled by Monster Energy this June.
Streamed from Saturday 6th to Saturday 13th June, via the Official TT website iomttraces.com, Facebook page and YouTube channel, ‘TT Lock-In’ blends some of the greatest solo and sidecar moments from the track in the TT’s long illustrious history with live interviews, personal insights and revelations from the TT Races biggest stars.
Vlogger Chris Pritchard will be the host for the eight nights of TT content, and he will be joined by double TT Race winner Steve Plater for insightful interviews and indiscreet revelations with some of the riders that have created the headlines over the last twenty years.
The ‘Ultimate TT Races presented by Bennetts’ series turns the clock back on the greatest recent, and not so recent races. ‘TT Lock-In’ will be revisiting classic footage from five great races including the 1992 Senior TT, featuring the head to head between Carl Fogarty and Steve Hislop and the race that many believe is its closest challenger for the ‘greatest race’ accolade – the 2018 Senior TT.
Other races featured in the Series include highlights from Joey Dunlop’s memorable 2000 Formula 1 win, the dramatic and controversial 1994 Junior TT Race and the 2nd Supersport Race from 2012 – the Australasian battle between Cameron Donald and Bruce Anstey that produced one of the closest finishes in TT history.
Broadcast live via the TT Lock-In virtual studio, Chris and Steve will be joined by a ‘who’s-who’ of TT racing to provide their own unique views and personal insights to the series. Including the chance to submit their own questions and messages, fans will hear from John McGuinness, Dean Harrison, Carl Fogarty, Phillip McCallen, Rob McElnea, Peter Hickman, Brian Reid and Cameron Donald as well as multi-sidecar TT race winners Ben Birchall and Dave Molyneux.
Meanwhile, the world of Gaming will provide fans with their TT racing fix of another kind. The ‘Virtual TT powered by Motul’ will see 8 TT heroes, including Peter Hickman, Conor Cummins and Davey Todd, getting to grips with a new challenge and tackling the familiar course from the comfort of their own homes. Each of the TT Stars will team up with an experienced gamer and go head to head in a competition to be crowned ‘Virtual TT 2020 Champion’.
There’s also an introduction to racing on the Mountain Course for real from TT rider liaison officer, and former TT Race winner, Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle who will provide his unique insight into how to prepare to race the TT Mountain Course.
In depth features and documentaries on teams and riders include a look back at the lap record breaking 2018 TT – ‘One-Three-Five: Breaking the Barrier’, a tribute to one of the Greatest riders in TT history – ‘the David Jefferies Story’ and a celebration of the career of the 23 time TT Race winner John McGuinness. The spotlight will also be turned on one of the TT’s most successful Race teams – ‘TAS: TT Winning Formula’.
There will also be a digital version of the popular TT paddock attraction, the ‘Sundown Cinema’, with a screening of ‘3 Wheeling’ – the feature-length film that follows the high drama of the 2016 Sidecar TT Races while Arai take us behind the scenes with the renown Italian Helmet designer Aldo Drudi whose creations feature in the limited edition Official TT Helmet collection every year.
A complete schedule for the free ‘TT Lock-In’ can be found here, which you can watch via iomttraces.com and the TT Races Official Facebook page and YouTube channel.
TT LOCK-IN 2020 SCHEDULE :
It appears the to and fro between Ireland’s motorcycle sports governing bodies continues.
On the 19th May 2020 the Cookstown Club announced that they hoped to hold their postponed Cookstown 100 event on 11th and 12th September 2020. This was met with a reasonably mixed reaction from the public. The two sides of the coin were :
a. This is a good thing, if conditions around the current coronavirus issues allow it, it will mean bikes racing in 2020 and will give people something to look forward to after what has been a very disrupted year due to the cover-19 pandemic.
b. This is a bad thing, it will put people at risk and add stress to the NHS. People have accepted that 2020 will have no racing so why try and push this through and risk the public’s health.
Then on 22nd May 2020 The Motorcycling Union of Ireland issued a statement. In which they stated that they were ‘alarmed and annoyed to read that some individual organising clubs within the MCUI (Ulster Centre) are still intending to promote events in this current climate.’ Motorcycle Ireland continued… ‘They do not have the authority or support of the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland to promote these events in 2020.’
Obviously this caused further discontent and controversy over the planned 2020 Cookstown 100 event, with the supporters of points (a) and (b) above becoming more polarised. National newspapers ran with the story bringing the issues surrounding the event and the MCUI to the forefront of public view. Newsletter and Belfast Telegraph.
In the late evening of 26th May 2020 the Motorcycle Union of Ireland (Ulster Centre) responded with their press release as below.