By North West 200 organisers the Coleraine and District Motor Club, are not giving up being able to run the Triangle course based meeting in May.
A recent statement issued, which includes confirmation that a planned NW200 newcomers induction day, Meet the Stars extravaganza will still take place, reads as follows:
“The crisis the fonaCAB and Nicholl Oils North West 200 and the rest of motorcycle sport in Ireland currently faces is due to a huge increase in the cost of insurance cover for 2023.
The organisers of the North West 200, the Coleraine and District Motor Club, have been working tirelessly to mitigate the pressure created by these extra costs.
The club was confident it could manage the initial premium increase but with other events unable to do so, the transfer of extra charges to the North West 200 created an unsustainable financial burden.
Yesterday the sport’s governing body, the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland (Ulster Centre), announced the cancellation of all motorcycle sporting events in Northern Ireland this year.”
“But the organisers of the NW200 have not given up the fight. We cannot afford to lose an event that has been running for over 90 years and plays such a vital role in the economy of the north coast area.
We have been overwhelmed by the messages and offers of support we have received today and whilst we understand the decision taken by the MCUI (UC), the Coleraine and District Motor club will continue in its efforts to stage the North West 200 on May 7-13.
Plans were already in place to welcome new competitors to the event during an induction day next Tuesday, February 14. Both that event and the Meet the Stars race launch, scheduled for February 15, will go ahead as planned and we will continue to keep everyone informed of our progress.”
Hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel, not only for the North West 200 but for Irish road racing in general.
It is a truly unique form of bike racing, motorsport overall, one that is real, raw, forever exhilarating.
Quotes via North West 200 statement
Photo credit: Tommy Vennard
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
