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The future of Irish road racing is under increasing threat following a substantial insurance hike of almost 30%, two leading race organisers have warned.

The cost of insuring international meetings including the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix has risen by 27% this year from £23,810 to £30,130, with national events such as the Cookstown 100 and Mid-Antrim 150 facing an increase of £3,455 from £12,315 to £15,770.

It is a development that has led Mervyn Whyte, event director at the NW200, to question the long-term prospects of some of the smaller road races.

“There are now only a few companies interested in insuring road racing and the cost is soaring,” said Whyte.

“I am sure that some of the smaller races will struggle to meet these extra costs and it will have a major impact on the sport.

“At the North West we are going to be forced to tighten our belts at a time when we would like to be investing more money in our event.”

With national road racing under pressure as a result of declining grid numbers and dwindling attendances, the insurance rise is a significant setback for the sport at national level in particular in an already tough economic climate.

The retirements of Irish road race regulars Ryan Farquhar, Adrian Archibald and John Burrows also serve as a huge blow to promoters struggling to entice large crowds to their events.

Archibald recently spoke of his concerns about the future of national road racing in the News Letter.

Bill Kennedy, clerk of the course at the Armoy road races, said he believes the soaring cost of insurance will sound the death knell for some national meetings this year.

“I think that this will definitely lead to the demise of national road races in particular because every cost in organising a race is rising and something will have to give,” he said.

A surge in the number of personal injury claims plus claims for minor falls and injuries at road races have exacerbated the problem.

Several claims are still outstanding and could potentially result in a further insurance rise in the future.



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