2020 Armoy Road Races Cancelled

2020 Armoy Road Races Cancelled :

2020 Armoy Road Races Cancelled
2020 Armoy Road Races Cancelled

Armoy Road Races have now announced that their 2020 Road Races have been cancelled. This was the last Northern Irish event left on the calendar and given that all Irish Nationals have already declared that their events have been cancelled – we are now left with the fact that we will not see road racing on the island of Ireland in 2020.

I know that Cookstown and the North West 200 have hinted at dates towards the very end of summer to hold their events I think we need to be realistic and accept that there will be no road racing in 2020.

The Isle of Man still have the Classic TT and Manx GP on the calendar but honestly I wouldn’t be making too many plans. This ongoing coronavirus pandemic will continue to disrupt for the foreseeable future and I think we need to accept that 2021 is going to be our next opportunity to go racing.

One thing is for sure though, given how critical 2020 was shaping up to be for many events 2021 is really going to need the support of every spectator, fan, sponsor, team…


Press release from the Armoy Club :

Armoy Road Races – Bayview Hotel Race of Legends 24th & 25th July 2020

In view of current extension to the ‘stay at home’ restrictions relating to the Coronavirus public health crisis and the advice from the sport’s governing body, it is with great regret that the Directors and Chairman of Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club Limited have agreed that the Armoy Road Races and Bayview Hotel Race of Legends, due to take place on 24th & 25th July, will unfortunately be cancelled for 2020.

Throughout the course of the last few weeks, we had continued to plan for our race in the event that restrictions could be lifted or relaxed. However, in the light of the recent review by local government and the ongoing economic impact on everyone, we believe that cancelling our event until 2021, is in the best interest of all concerned.

We would like to extend our thanks to all our sponsors, not least our title sponsor the Bayview Hotel, for their commitment to Armoy again in 2020 and for their understanding of our decision to cancel this year’s event. We send them all our very best wishes in these difficult and uncertain times.

We apologise for any disruption this cancellation may cause to those of you who have made travel plans to come to Armoy but we do hope to see you all again in the near future.

On behalf of AMRRC:

Director Chairman – Malcolm Colgan
Club Chairman – Jean McPherson


Keep up with all the latest News on the AMRRC Official Facebook Page, the Armoy Road Races Twitter Feed and the Official AMRRC Web Page.

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 Ulster Grand Prix Cancelled

2019 Ulster Grand Prix
2020 Ulster Grand Prix Cancelled :

2020 Ulster Grand Prix Cancelled :

Probably the least shocking cancellation of 2020 has been officially announced this morning. The 2020 UGP has been cancelled.

A few short weeks ago before Covid-19 started savaging the planet expotientially road racing was in trouble, but the calendar was still full, one major event though was in absolute jeopardy – the 2020 Ulster Grand Prix. A press release from early February 2020 had pretty much confirmed that there would be no 2020 event without actually stating it.

Just a Though :

Obviously we all currently face a much larger beast than the thought of no 2020 Ulster Grand Prix, but when the 2020 Coronavirus is retired (hopefully soon) to the history books, we need to remember and learn what had happened previously re the UGP, and not just assign to history that it didn’t happen because of the global pandemic.

Let’s be candid – there was no chance of there being a 2020 Ulster Grand Prix. The event was in real trouble before this cancellation and let’s all hope that this sabbatical gives it the chance to rise from the flames. However, moving forward we still have to learn so that once the world heals the road racing world can continue also. Road racing events need to be supported, but they can not rely on program sales alone. The UGP system failed, so not only does the amount of money coming in need to increase but the cash flowing out needs to be reduced. If not, in 2021 there will be another post relating to the fact there is again no Ulster Grand Prix. There is still a chance to fix it.

The following is the club’s official statement :

2020 ULSTER GRAND PRIX CALLED OFF

It is with great regret the organisers of the Ulster Grand Prix, the Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club, must announce the race will not take place in 2020.
Despite numerous meetings in recent months with councillors, MLAs, MPs and Ministers and other interested parties, we have been unable to find the necessary financial support to run the meeting this year.
The unprecedented crisis surrounding the Coronavirus epidemic has made finding a solution at this stage impossible.

Keep up with all the latest News on the Ulster Grand Prix Official Website and Facebook Page.

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

The Future of Irish Road Racing is in the Balance

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.

Does motorcycle road racing on public roads in Ireland have a future?

2019 Ulster Grand Prix
2019 Ulster Grand Prix

Read more

Road Riders – BBC One Northern Ireland Road Racing Documentary

BBC One Norther Ireland - Road Riders
BBC One Norther Ireland – Road Riders Wednesday 19th April 2017 at 10:40 pm

From Wednesday 19th April 2017 BBC One Northern Ireland will start a 4 part documentary (TBC) on Irish Road Racing and the people behind it…

Series that captures the lives and passions of the men, women and families who populate the extraordinary world of Irish road racing.

I think with that said, I can categorically state that it will be unmissable!

Check out the series web page here : BBC One (Northern Ireland) : Road Riders

And just to wet your appitite here is the trailer from episode one :

Read more