Road Racing: The Ulster Grand Prix has been cancelled

The Ulster Grand Prix has been cancelled for the fourth year in a row.

The Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club has abandoned their plans to run the 2023 Ulster Grand Prix. The club aimed to run the event on the 18th-19^th of August, with the plan to run the race for the first time in four years.

The race has been cancelled due to insurance issues as the club was unable to obtain the public liability insurance policy from the MCUI. They also were uncertain about the level of funding that Tourism NI will provide to the club.

Last year the Revival Racing Motorcycle Club also abandoned their plans of running a race meeting after they were unable to secure funding.

The event’s future was first put in doubt in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to financial difficulties. At the time the club had debts of £300,000, forcing the club into liquidation. 

The MCUI had their own issues earlier in the year, cancelling all events due to insurance issues. The issues were eventually resolved after crowdfunding from road racing fans from across the globe.

The race last ran in 2019 with Peter Hickman setting a new all-time lap record in the Superbike race. Hickman set an average lap speed of 136.415mph, making the Ulster Grand Prix the world’s fastest road race.

The Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club’s statement:

“The club began the initiative with confidence, enjoying the full backing of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council and the Ulster Grand Prix Supporters’ Club. 

“There was encouraging support from teams and riders and we also received strong commitments of financial support from the local business community for which we are extremely grateful. However, in recent weeks those plans have been undermined by two specific issues.

“Despite numerous requests by Dundrod club officials during the last six weeks, we have been totally frustrated in our attempts to gain access to a copy of the public liability insurance policy the Motorcycle Union of Ireland, Ulster Centre, has put in place for 2023.

“The Dundrod club was expected to make an initial payment of £26,000 by mid-April. The finance is in place to make that payment but without sight and consideration of the policy documents, the club’s solicitor has advised this payment should not proceed.

“That issue has been further compounded by ongoing uncertainty around funding for the event from Tourism NI. The Dundrod club made application to TNI last December as required. We are now in April 2023 and there has still been no indication as to whether or not this application will be successful or what level of support the UGP might be eligible to receive.

“Given these uncertainties, the Dundrod club has been left with no option other than to make the unfortunate decision being announced today.”

Image credit: Stephen Davison