By Unfortunately as with various Irish national road races, the North West 200, the TT Races, Southern 100, Pre/Post TT Races, problems relating from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic have forced the abandonment for the second successive year of the Skerries 100.
Confirmation of Skerries dropping off the 2021 roads calendar was provided via Facebook by Loughshinny Motorcycle Supporters Club Chairman Thomas Garry, who issued the following words:
“Loughshinny Motor Cycle Supporters Club have been working tirelessly over the winter to try and promote the Skerries 100 event, the oldest road race in the South of Ireland, in what would have been its 75th anniversary.
We have endeavoured to keep this historic event on the calendar for this year, and give the race starved fans a weekend to enjoy the spectacular sport of road racing.
The current pandemic is affecting every sport, but with the rollout of the vaccine, we had hoped that by the time of the first weekend in July came around, the country would be once more open for business.
Unfortunately this doesn’t look like the case, and with the current level 5 lockdown, or even the prospect of the country dropping to level 4 or below, is still not enough to give the club the hope that it would enable us to proceed.
The unknown cost of insurance for a one event road race may well be out of our reach, but to-date we haven’t been given a quote by our governing body, as they have instructed affiliated clubs that they will not be issuing permits at present and we will only do so when we are given the green light from Sport Ireland.”
Photo by Baylon McCaughey
He continued:
“Unfortunately, like the other Southern clubs who have already cancelled their 2021 road races and with all of the above in mind, the club have taken the regrettable decision to cancel the iconic road race for a second year running.
This decision was not taken lightly, and it was with a heavy heart that the committee felt it necessary to go with the cancellation.
We had great support from our sponsors, Fingal County Council, our course residents and land owners and of course our road race family and we look forward to their valued support for Skerries 100 2022.
We know while the town of Skerries and business in the surrounding areas are still suffering, most were looking forward to the return of racing, to help boost the local economy.
The club wished to thank everyone for their support and patience, as they awaited with hope, the race would return for 2021, but sadly we will have to wait until 2022.
We are still hoping to have one or two small events to celebrate the 75 years of the historic race and we will endeavour to bring details to you as soon as we can.”
Words by Stevie Rial quotes via Loughshinny Motorcycle Supporters Club Facebook page
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