The Directors and Management of the Motorcycle Union of Ireland (Ulster Centre) Ltd have taken the unfortunate but unavoidable decision to suspend the start of the 2021 Sporting Event Calendar.
Due to the current fluid situation with Covid 19 restrictions combined with pressure on our NHS, we believe this is the only responsible decision we can make at this time. We will review the situation as and when Government restriction is eased. Currently we are taking all guidance, advice from The Northern Ireland Executive, Minster of Health, Department of Communities and SportNI.
Earlier this week two of our flagship’s events were cancelled due to the pandemic, Tandragee 100 and the NW200. The Cookstown 100 are planning on running again in September as they managed to do in 2020. Armoy Road Race club are still hopeful of running on their end of July date.
Our first tarmac event is now planned for 5th June at Kirkistown, the first round of the Ulster Superbike Championship (USBK) and with several more rounds planned between June & October.
The Trials section had already planned to run into the summer months and will release more details in due course.
2020 was almost a wipe out of all our events with only one Road Race and one short circuit managing to run between the restriction and only with authority from Government departments. This announcement will be very disappointing for our Licence holders, Clubs, and supporters, but we must do what is best to keep everyone in the communities safe.
The 2021 Cookstown 100 has been postponed. The Cookstown Club made an official statement on 18th January 2021 confirming that their April 2021 would not be going ahead. All is not lost though, it has been postponed until September…
**OFFICIAL STATEMENT**
The directors of Cookstown & District Motorcycle Club (RR) Ltd held various conversations over the last few weeks in regards to the 2021 Cookstown 100 event which had been scheduled to take place on the last weekend in April 2021.
After receiving advice and information from various bodies in regards to the current situation within our community with the ongoing pandemic, the club has taken the decision to postpone our event until the 10th & 11th of September 2021.
We as organisers of the event are extremely disappointed, but we must put the health and safety of our residents, officials, competitors and spectators first.
Whilst it is welcomed that the current vaccine process has began, the time frame of which the vaccine will be distributed to everyone in the community, means the timing of our event in April brings too much uncertainty to competitors, spectators and of coarse to the club ourselves.
While this may come as a disappointment to many, we must act in a responsible way and allow time for the vaccine to help protect the community and also allow time for the NHS to become less overwhelmed.
We hope that by giving extra time in 2021 before running our event, we are in a much better position in our community by September and we will bring another great few days racing, just as we did in 2020.
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/
2021 Tandragee 100 Road Races have been cancelled.
The Tandragee Club have confirmed via a Facebook Post that their 2021 event is now cancelled due to the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic.
2021 Tandragee 100 Road Races have been cancelled
***Press Release – 2021 Around A Pound Tandragee 100 Cancelled***
First and foremost, the safety of our society, more than ever, has to come first. Tonight’s announcement to cancel the 2021 Tandragee 100 National Motorcycle Road Races has been taken with the intention of keeping people safe. We look forward to returning in 2022.
It is important not only to consider the safety of our volunteers and officials, local residents and landowners, local businesses, the competitors and of course our spectators but also the wider general public. If we are to collectively reduce the spread of the disease and lessen the impact COVID 19 will have in the longer term we believe to gather in large numbers for our event is not appropriate given the circumstances.
Whilst the implementation of the COVID 19 Vaccines is welcome news, it is likely that only the most vulnerable and our precious HSC workforce will have received the first dose by the end of February with the second dose not completed until potentially the end of May. This will mean the full effect for these groups won’t be galvanised until June. In addition, it is likely that the rest of the population who want to avail of it won’t be vaccinated until autumn 2021.
At a time when our Health & Social Care Services are once again managing significantly increased demand we must not place an additional strain on their precious resources. Many of our event medical team and first aiders will still be needed to contribute to the HSC response across Northern Ireland and we also would not wish to potentially divert HSC ambulance and hospital resources to deal with any event related requirements. To all those involved in the response to COVID 19 we thank you.
As a Club we are of course very disappointed to have to take this decision to delay our 60th Anniversary Celebrations for a second time, however, it is the right thing to do. We believe it is important to let everyone involved know at the earliest opportunity, so everyone is not disadvantaged in any way. We will need everyone’s continued support in 2022 to enable us to celebrate our 60th Anniversary and deliver a truly exciting event.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our loyal sponsors for their understanding and support. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this announcement causes. Our overall sponsor Gerard Rice from Around A Pound has indicated his support for this decision and agrees that the health of the population is just too important to jeopardise.
Never has the phrase ‘all in it together’ been so pertinent and just so important. The COVID 19 vaccines provide the long-term hope and the current lockdown offers the opportunity to shorten the duration of the current surge. We can all play our part too by staying at home, practising social distancing, good hand hygiene and wearing face coverings. We must all put our health first, don’t take any unnecessary risks. Keep up to date with and follow the advice given by the Public Health Agency. Think about the vulnerable in our society and act with compassion towards each other.
To anyone who is currently affected by COVID 19 and to those who will later become so, you are in our thoughts and prayers not only now but in the coming weeks and months.
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/
The Cookstown Club have announced that tickets for the 2021 are now available for purchase.
**spectators information for online booking**
Due to being inundated with personal messages and emails regarding pre booking packages for the event in 2021,the club are now opening the online booking system up again from today and will remain open until the limited number of packages are reached.
You can pre book packages by booking via paypal. Enter [email protected] and use the friend option. (THIS IS THE ONLY EMAIL ADDRESS WHICH CAN BE USED TO BOOK PACKAGES THROUGH)
The price of each package is £25 and will include your programme, a wristband to gain access to event and postage cost.(AN ADDRESS MUST BE PROVIDED WHEN BOOKING PLEASE)
Please be aware these packages are non refunable when booked (unless the event is cancelled by organisers, then a full refund will be issued)
As per last year and with the current ongoing situation with pandemic continuing into 2021, it is very clear the event will have to be ran with limited numbers of spectators to be allowed to go ahead in a safe way.
There has been alot of christmas vouchers already issued, (many thanks to those who purchased these) so please be aware these packages are now extremely limited.
Please note.. No packages will be issued after the limited numbers has been reached, nor will be accessible via any club member when online booking has been closed.
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/
The North Meath Rpoad Races Committee have confirmed via a Facebook Post that their 2021 event is now cancelled due to the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic.
2021 Kells Road Races Cancelled
It’s with deep regret we have to write this post.Due to current uncertainty with the on going covid -19 pandemic, the North Meath Road Races LTD committee have decided not to run our event in June 2021.
It would be too much of a financial loss to the club to have to cancel last minute due to covid -19 restrictions.
We would rather cancel it early so riders are not out of pocket preparing bikes for a Road Race season that is not likely to run.We are very disappointed to make this announcement but we have a duty of care to residents, volunteers, riders and of course the general public.
We look forward to returning in 2022. Any riders looking to renew their membership please contact our club Secretary Diarmaid Corcoran by phone or email [email protected] 083 4610469.
We will be in contact with anyone who entered our raffle to arrange a full refund.
We hope to have this done within the coming weeks.
We will however be launching some online raffles so watch this space.
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/
The Cookstown Club have released an information post / press release on the upcoming 2021 Cookstown 100 Races. With the Coronavirus pandemic still in full flow they have set out their plans and racing is still on the cards for 2021!
* Cookstown 2021 plans*
To avoid spectulation and second guessing for plans in 2021 for the cookstown 100 races, this is an update for competitors/teams and spectators.
Currently the Cookstown club hopes to run on the last weekend of April 2021.
Should the situation in regards to covid 19 still not be under control, the club has also been in contact with relevant bodies and have confirmed a back up date of 10th & 11th of September 2021 should we need to postpone our April date.
A decision will be made in March by the club and notice will be given well in advance, should we need to move from our preferred April date.
In regards to the current Covid situation and requirements for next year & to be able for the event to take place, although a vaccine is starting to be rolled out, from various conversations with outside bodies, it is clear already that restrictions will be in place in 2021.
Online booking system will also remain in place and limited competitor spaces may be required, and although we hope to have some lighter restrictions and protocols in place, there will however be restrictions which will have to be in place for this event and others to be approved and allowed to take place that is clear,especially as we continue to try for April date.
As like last year, there will be speculation and second guessing from some on this page and other various social media platforms in aspects of the event going ahead, insurance, goverment instructions etc. but again like last year, the club wish to advise both competitors/teams & spectators, that unless information is coming directly from the Cookstown Club, please take it with a pinch of salt.
We are well underway and things in place to be running the 88th Cookstown 100 races in 2021!!!
Any information which needs to be given to you all, will be done directly and as quickly as we know of it.
We were here last year with some who did not know what the club was doing behind scenes making out it wasn’t going to happen etc, but it did run and ran successfully.
Online booking will be opening again in January. However we have already issued a large amount of spaces via our christmas vouchers, so the availability will be even more limited than last year.
We will continue to provide any information quickly to keep everyone informed early.
But at this current time, everything is well underway to make sure Cookstown 100 is a go in 2021!!
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/
Due to the ongoing global Covid-19 Pandemic, like so many events Motorcycle Live at the Birmingham NEC has had to be postponed until 2021.
However – a 2020 Show will go on, but for this year it will be online!
Running from 21 – 29 November 2020 at https://www.motorcyclelive.co.uk you will be able to browse 51 microsites from manufacturers and dozens more from exhibitors.
Obviously it won’t be the same as a walking round the huge arena with a camera and notepad to make a shortlist of what you may buy next nor be able to go home with your new helmet or latest selection of gear for the winter or even next Season but you can still sit down with a cup of coffee and spend some time perfecting your wish list!
Peter Hickman on his Smith’s Racing BMW at the Isle of Man TT
The Gloucester-based Smiths Racing team has announced they will quit motorcycle racing after this weekend’s final round of the British Superbike Championship.
The team has enjoyed extensive success in British Superbikes and at the Isle of Man TT, North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix international road races.
Having competed for 11 years, the BSB round at Brands Hatch this weekend will mark their departure from the sport.
Peter Hickman has achieved all of his five TT wins to date with the team.
The family-run outfit have become a dominant force on the roads since making their debut on closed public road circuits at the North West 200 in 2014.
Their first TT win came that same year with Gary Johnson winning the Supersport TT, with more victories following in the hands of Hickman, plus the outright lap record for the Mountain Course of 135.452mph in 2018.
Hickman also won a record-breaking seven races in a weekend for Smiths at the 2019 Ulster Grand Prix, upping the lap record to 136.415mph. With other successes at the North West 200 and Macau Grand Prix, the tally stands at an impressive 21 major road race victories and multiple podiums.
Under the guidance of Alan Smith and his daughter Rebecca, the team arrived into the British Championship paddock in 2010 and took their first podium in their debut season with Dan Cooper riding the Smiths Triumph to third place in the British Supersport race at Knockhill.
As the official Triumph factory entry, the team won their first British Supersport Championship in 2012 with Glen Richards before fellow Australian Billy McConnell took their second title in 2014.
The team also scored points in selected World Supersport Championship races before moving into British Superbikes in 2015 where McConnell took their debut podium at Cadwell Park.
A further seven podiums were highlighted by Peter Hickman winning a race at Thruxton in 2017 and going on to claim a Showdown spot for three successive years with a best result of fourth overall in the 2017 British Superbike Championship.
Rebecca Smith, the team owner, said: “We have had a wonderful experience and gained lots of fantastic memories in the British Superbike and Supersport Championships and at the TT, NW200, Ulster GP and Macau GP over the past decade or so.
“We have enjoyed a lot of success but now as a family and a business, we wish to concentrate our efforts in other directions. I would like to thank all of our riders, team members, sponsors, fans and organisers who have been instrumental in our successes over the years.
“While it is the end of an era for Smiths Racing as a family owned and operated team, some elements will continue in a new guise and we wish everyone involved good luck for the future.”
Peter Hickman and his Smith’s Racing BMW
So the big question is what we wee Peter Hickman on next season and the next TT? I reckon it will be ‘Hickman Racing’ and hopefully still feature a BMW, but hey ho that’s just a guess.
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/
To the joy of road racing fans the world over we have actually had some racing in 2020! From 14th – 16th August Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough held the Barry Sheene Classic. A day of practice and qualifying followed by two days of flat out non stop racing.
The Oliver’s Mount events are ones that I do not normally cover, mainly because I have no chance of getting any where them but this year I did follow them quite intently on Twitter and on the live timings site and have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the coverage, tweeting and online content that I could find.
UKClubSport have done an excellent job in putting the results together for every qualifying session and race. You will find every result from the 2020 Oliver’s Mount Barry Sheene Classic here :
2020 Oliver’s Mount Barry Sheene Classic Results: LEE Johnston
It brings me great pleasure to say that Northern Ireland’s own Lee Johnston shone to make it a perfect four out of four in the Supersport category.
Dean Harrison also brought his A-game and made it a superb five from five in the Classic Superbike races.
What a packed weekend that event was with a huge 31 races ran over the two race days. That really makes me want to make the trip over.
Oliver’s Mount next event is scheduled to be the Gold Cup due to run on the weekend of the 11th – 13th September 2020. Unfortunately that clashes directly with the planned dates for the rescheduled 2020 Cookstown 100.
Although not part of the Irish / Northern Irish / IOM Calendar, and therefore not usually or easily covered by TBNI.Blog, Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough has some great road racing events of its own.
And the good news is one of these events is this weekend! Yep that’s right, there is some real life actual road racing this weekend!
Important Information :
Oliver’s Mount Barry Sheene Classic 2020
THE BARRY SHEENE CLASSIC IS NOW A 3-DAY EVENT IN AUGUST!
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