Insurance problems threaten road racing as motorbike clubs cancel events

Championship motorcycle road racing is under threat this year as three of the six clubs in the Republic have been forced to cancel their planned events due to a lack of insurance cover.

In the last week, motorcycling road races in Kells, Co Meath, Athea, Co Limerick, and Cork were cancelled. A meeting will be held on Wednesday to decide if the Skerries 100 event will go ahead.

So far the sport's governing body, Motorcycling Ireland, has been unable to secure insurance on any motorcycle event in the Republic this year, which also includes trials, motocross and endurance disciplines

Road racing can bring up to 5,000 spectators per day to events which can also boost the local economy.

Even if insurance is secured, time constraints and additional costs for the remaining three clubs would be a factor as up to now, all the road racing clubs shared the insurance costs annually.

However, Motorcycling Ireland said it had no choice but secure insurance cover this year for the future of the sport.

Motorcycling Ireland president Sean Bissett said the body had "tried everything possible" and criticised the lack of support at Government level.

"We have met various Ministers in the Dáil seeking help three times but everywhere we go, we get a no," he said.

"We met what we thought were all the right people but we've had no help at all. Unfortunately, claims in industry are high at the moment as the courts are dealing with a backlog and this isn't helping matters.

"We have not given up. We were dealing with insurance companies in Northern Ireland for over 30 years until 2022 but when Brexit happened, they couldn't deal with us any more.

"So we are trying to find another company. We still are waiting on one broker to come back to us. Even