The MCRRCI says it has yet to meet directly with bike sponsor Adelaide Insurance Services or the Enkalon Club in relation to the fall-out over its Easter Irish Superbike meeting at Bishopscourt.

The Enkalon Trophy race could be switched to an alternative date after the MCRRCI (Motor Cycle Road Racing Club of Ireland), which promotes the meeting in conjunction with the Killinchy Club, said it was unwilling to allow the Belfast company to have a corporate presence at the event.

Adelaide Insurance provides financial backing to the Enkalon Club, but does not provide sponsorship to the MCRRCI or Killinchy clubs.

As a result of the impasse, the showpiece Enkalon Trophy race could be moved from its traditional Easter Saturday date.

Yesterday, Mark Sanlon of the MCRRCI told the News Letter: “We have never had a meeting with Adelaide Insurance or the Enkalon Club to discuss this. Before an agreement can be made on anything, you have got to have discussions.

“They [Adelaide Insurance] do not sponsor our event and we have received no offer of support. They do have an involvement with the Enkalon Club, but not with the event promoters.

“We can’t agree to something if we don’t know exactly what we are agreeing to and that can only be done by having discussions.

“We have offered the Enkalon Club the same opportunity that we do every year, but if they want to move the Enkalon Trophy race then we bear them no ill-will and wish them good luck.”

Earlier this week, Sam Geddis, Director of Adelaide Insurance Services, revealed that he was considering pulling his company’s sponsorship of key motorcycle events including the Enkalon Trophy race and the Adelaide Masters round at Bishopscourt this summer in protest at a £60 being levied on photographers for press accreditation by the sport’s governing body, the MCUI.

Mr Geddis is concerned that media organisations could reduce their coverage of press conferences in protest at the ruling, therefore depriving sponsors of vital publicity.

The Newtownards Chronicle and several photographers have already vowed not to provide pre-event publicity to motorcycle events under the MCUI’s jurisdiction until the fee is abolished.

Motorcycling Ireland, formerly the MCUI Southern Centre, has dropped its plans to charge photographers a fee of 80 euros for press accreditation.

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