By Sadly the worst case scenario has arisen, all MCUI (Ulster Centre) affiliated events have been cancelled.
Insurance, insurance, insurance is the reason behind today’s unprecedented news which covers trials, purpose built circuit action and pure road racing.
This means meets such as the Cookstown 100, Tandragee 100, Armoy Road Races and Ulster Grand Prix will not take place this year.
Part of an MCUI (Ulster Centre) statement released last night, reads as follows:
“Further to our previous statement, regarding the provision of insurance for the 2023 year, representatives and delegates from the MCUI (Ulster Centre) met both on the 6th and 9th of February, respectively, to try to find a way forward to secure the required cover for the upcoming season.
Negotiations have been continuing in earnest in the background, from August 2022, however, there appears to be no appetite from insurers to offer more competitive quotations.
On the 7th February all clubs were issued with the proposed scale of charges, based on the terms and quotations received, appropriate to their type of planned event, in an attempt to allow clubs to evaluate and discuss the viability of promoting and running their event in 2023.
These emergency meetings took place with a view to the club delegates returning to an MCUI (UC) emergency centre meeting on the 9th February.
At this meeting, the relevant representatives gave their club’s views on their ability to meet the proposed insurance costs and fees proposed, as well as any further viable options that may result in the affordability to run events this year.
The consensus was that the costs proposed were at this time unsustainable for most clubs in order to provide the required public liability cover to run over planned events.
The MCUI (UC) will, however continue to pursue all options for the provision of public liability insurance, should they arise in the near future.”
Speaking via a recently issued press release, Tandragee 100 Clerk of The Course Anne Forsythe added:
“On behalf of the North Armagh Motorcycle & Car Club (Tarmac Section) Ltd it is with regret that I confirm that the 2023 Around A Pound Tandragee 100 has been cancelled.
This decision is in part due to the untenable increase in premium quoted for insurance as a result of turbulence within the insurance industry.
This was not just a significant increase but an increase of over three times the premium for 2022 and with the added pressure of a substantial excess figure, should a claim arise, that is again insurmountable.
In addition to the position regarding insurance, we have been unable to gain commitment for necessary resurfacing to be carried out, the potential costs for all of the logistics are likely to be up to 25% higher than in 2022, further requirements to secure a road closing order and there is limited time remaining to co-ordinate all the necessary activities.
These challenges have all combined to leave the Club in the position that we have no option but to cancel the event.
As a Club we are very disappointed, however we are committed to do everything we can to bring this awe inspiring event back in 2024. We wish to take this opportunity to thank all our competitors, sponsors, landowners, volunteers and spectators for their continued support.”
Quotes via MCUI (Ulster Centre) statement, Tandragee 100 press release
Photo credit: Rod Neill
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
