STATEMENT ISSUED AT 19:30 ON WEDNESDAY 19 AUGUST 2026
STATEMENT ISSUED FROM THE MANX GRAND PRIX RACES
The Manx Grand Prix Races is deeply saddened to announce that Sam Naughton, 37, from Castletown, Isle of Man, died in an incident during Wednesday afternoon’s qualifying at the 2026 Manx Grand Prix. The incident occurred at Doran’s Bend, during the third qualifying session of the event.
Having made his debut in 2025, Sam was in his second year of competing at the Manx Grand Prix, and was a regular competitor at a number of other road racing events since he began racing in 2020.
The Manx Grand Prix Races pass on their deepest sympathy to his wife Charlotte, his children Bonnie, Liam, Jesse and Parker, his family, and friends.
STATEMENT ISSUED AT 17:00 ON WEDNESDAY 19 AUGUST 2026
STATEMENT ISSUED FROM THE MANX GRAND PRIX RACES
With great sadness, the Manx Grand Prix Races confirms that Mauro Poncini, 29, from Caslano, Switzerland, died in an incident during Tuesday’s qualifying at the 2026 Manx Grand Prix. The incident occurred at Cruickshanks, on the opening lap of the second qualifying session.
Mauro was an experienced competitor within the Supersport and Supertwin classes, with an established record of competing at a number of road racing events prior to making his Mountain Course debut this year.
The Manx Grand Prix Races pass on their deepest sympathy to his father Florio, mother Manuela, sister Marzia and girlfriend Sharon, as well as his family and friends.
Duncan and McLaughlin’s Shoestring Triumph: Aubrey McAuley Cup Victory Caps Remarkable Season
Darren Duncan, on board the 125GP Honda, owned and prepared by former competitor Graham McLaughlin, this year’s winner of the revived Aubrey McAuley Memorial Cup. This machine, painted bright yellow with black stripes, not only looks but also sounds like a bee—earning it the affectionate nickname ‘The Bee’ among race fans.
Belfast’s Darren Duncan, a true shoestring road racer, and his sponsor Graham McLaughlin—a former competitor and two-stroke enthusiast—proved what passion and grit can achieve. With their modest Graham McLaughlin Racing 125 Honda, the team embodied real grassroots racing. Winning the Aubrey McAuley Cup is a fitting tribute to their dedication and effort this season.
The Mid Antrim 150 return to Northern Ireland’s roads over the weekend of 31st July – 1st August 2026.
Friday saw a full day of practice which was scheduled to be followed by 2 races in the evening, however weather caused too many delays throughout the day and the racing had to be postponed until Saturday. Saturday saw a much better start from the weather and led to a full day of racing.
The results were as follows :
Friday 31st July 2026 : (Scheduled races ran on Saturday due to delays encountered on Friday) :
WestCork Mcc : “It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our dear friend and fellow club member, John “Plumb” O’Donovan.
John was a much-loved character within the West Cork Motorcycle Club and someone who will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. He was known for his incredible sense of humour and quick wit, his generosity, and his unwavering friendship. No matter where he went, John had a way of making people smile and bringing others together.
John’s dedication to racing was second to none. He worked tirelessly to pursue the sport he loved, putting countless hours into preparing, improving, and giving everything he had on the track. His determined riding style earned him respect from fellow competitors, but it never left the circuit. Once the racing was over, John was always the first to share a laugh, crack a joke, and enjoy the camaraderie that made the racing community so special. That balance of fierce competitor and genuine friend is how so many of us will remember him.
Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with John’s wife Valerie, children Sean, Libby and Emily, family, loved ones, and all who are mourning his loss at this incredibly difficult time.
The 2026 Skerries 100 marked the return of road racing to the Republic of Ireland and was held over the weekend of 4th – 5th July 2026.
Saturday 4th July saw practice sessions completed across all classes with racing scheduled for Sunday 5th July 2026.
Unfortunately the event was struck by tragedy following the death of a competitor in Race 2 – Junior Support, which resulted in the event being cancelled as a mark of respect for the fallen rider.
On behalf of the North Armagh Motorcyle & Car Club (Tarmac Section) Ltd is with profound sadness that we confirm James Walsh has passed away in hospital after being airlifted from the event last Saturday. We are completely heartbroken by this tragic loss, and our entire club is mourning a truly valued member of our racing community.
Road racing is a sport built on shared passion and tight bonds, which makes a loss like this resonate deeply with every rider, official, and fan. Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathies are with his partner Claire, his Mom Geraldine, the rest of his family, friends, and his own club members during this incredibly devastating time.
We want to express our immense gratitude to the MCUI UC Medical Team, the air ambulance crew, and the medical staff who fought so hard to save him. Out of respect for his family as they navigate this immense grief, we ask everyone to respect their privacy and allow them the time and space they need.
The 2026 Isle of Man TT was one of the most difficult for the organisers in recent history. Practice week saw the Island baked in glorious sunshine however numerous on track incidents resulted in many schedule changes, however as qualifying got successfully wrapped up unfortunately the weather also left the Island behind bringing almost a solid week of rain.
After a week of week of inclement weather leading to postponements and cancellations only 5 races were declared. The Senior TT having only one complete and actually being declared a result after a red flag on lap 2.
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/
The second week of the 2026 Isle of Man TT Races will go down as one of the most weather-disrupted and logistically challenging in the event’s modern history. Persistent rain and adverse conditions relentlessly forced cancellations, truncations, and major schedule overhauls, leaving the Clerk of the Course in a constant battle against the elements.
Out of the ten originally planned contests, only five official race results were declared across the entire event. Notably, both Superstock races were scrapped entirely, and the Sidecar class was suspended for the remainder of the event following serious incidents during practice week.
The second week saw a near-total blackout of racing from Wednesday through Thursday due to unrelenting rain. To salvage the schedule, organizers compressed the remaining action into Friday, June 5, executing a marathon itinerary that included the rescheduled Supersport Race 2, the newly re-branded Sportbike Race 1 (formerly Supertwin), and the blue-ribbon Milwaukee Senior TT.
When Saturday, June 6 brought yet another wave of dense fog and heavy rainfall, the final race day was officially abandoned. In an official statement, the Clerk of the Course summarized the historic frustrations:
“This has undoubtedly been one of the most challenging TTs in recent years from a weather perspective. Over the course of the event, we set out with nine days on which racing could potentially have taken place, and rain will have affected seven of them. That is an exceptional set of circumstances and it has had a major impact on what we have been able to deliver. Throughout the event, the weather simply hasn’t worked in our favour.”
The opening week of the 2026 Isle of Man TT Races has delivered a stark reminder of why the Mountain Course remains the ultimate, most unforgiving test in motorsport. As continuous track action wrapped up for the qualifying stages on Friday afternoon, May 29, the paddock’s focus was heavily divided between record-shattering pace on the tarmac and deep solemnity following severe incidents that reshaped this year’s event program.
Unprecedented Decision: Sidecar Class Suspended
The most significant operational headline of the opening week came on Thursday, May 28, when race organisers took the historic and highly precautionary step to suspend all remaining Sidecar action from the 2026 schedule.
The decision followed an immediate technical and operational review initiated after a series of heavy incidents during the week. Opening practice saw a red flag when Maria Costello MBE and passenger Shaun Parker came off at Brandish; while Costello was reported in serious but stable condition, Parker required extensive treatment for severe trauma injuries. The tipping point occurred during Wednesday evening’s third qualifying session, where the dominant local frontrunners, brothers Ryan and Callum Crowe, suffered a violent crash. Both were hospitalised, with Callum undergoing shoulder surgery and Ryan sustaining a broken wrist and burns.
In an official statement released at 12:15 PM on May 28, the Isle of Man TT Race Organisation stated:
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