What a bummer, no road racing in NI in 2023

Andy J

Andy J

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Location
Isle of Man
It’s just been announced by the MCUI (UC) that due to unsustainable insurance costs that all races, including the NW200 have been cancelled for this year. So that fucks up some of my plans for this year! 🤬
 
Was just reading about that on Adventure Rider. I think I might just stay in bed for the rest of my life. Then I won't bother any Insurance People.
 
That's shite news.

Much of modern life seems to be written there. What a bunch of twats an increasingly large minority of us [humans] are. Mother nature gives us the greatest of gifts - to develop and become the most sophisticated and intelligent beings in the universe and then all some do with their 'brilliance' is to scheme and contrive to make our collective existence as miserable and sterile as possible. Fek.
 
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the same happened to ILOC about 25 years ago, there were formally two track days a year one at Mallorry Park and the other at Cadwell.
CLEM

ps and before anyone starts up saying it was lack of attendees, ever increasing circuit fees plus the noise police, note that the events never did make a "profit" and that silencers can be fitted. There are no problems only ever solutions to be found.
 
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Unfortunately, a way of getting spectators to pay (without getting ripped off) to see the ‘greatest free shows on earth’ is a potential solution to the cost issue. However, how are you going to charge someone sat in their front garden or on a sod bank for the privilege of viewing the races? 🤔
 
As the Manx taxpayer underwrites a lot of the costs of the TT etc the races aren’t under threat as such, but if the problem in NI persists then it could yet become an issue if there are fewer opportunities for riders to race on real roads. It’s already a problem to find enough newcomers of sufficient ability to take the place of the old timers.
 
Watching with interest - and some concern. We still have 3 street race meetings atm. One of them tomorrow at the Burt.

And at the Bluff hillclimb there were spectator injuries. Looks like no spectators on the hill next time.
 
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I know anything is possible but if I was spectating at a Rally event to Hill Climb I would think about the possible places where someone might run off the track and not stand there. eg on the outside of bends.
 
Don't know the full story yet. From what was in the media it appears spectators may have been in areas they should not have been. But I've only been there looking after a competitor so didn't go up the hill myself. Don't know how or if it's marshalled away from the start.
 
GregT said:
Don't know the full story yet. From what was in the media it appears spectators may have been in areas they should not have been. But I've only been there looking after a competitor so didn't go up the hill myself. Don't know how or if it's marshalled away from the start.
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There’s temporary fencing at least part of the way, but lots of people moving around trying to find the best view. We got there a bit late but rumours vary from injuries to a spectator sitting behind an airbag, to a spectator crossing the track. I’ve no idea what actually happened, but there were seven rider crashes in all.
 
Better get out and ride as many tracks as i can before it all goes tits up here. 3 days at Broadford is $150, bargain ! I was on the hill at the bluff in 2020, yep its pretty crazy, people right on the edge of the track. Sorry to hear somebody got hurt.
 
There a growing number of prohibited areas (for spectators) around the TT course that are obviously a high risk if a bike crashes. However, there are many more miles where a high speed incident could potentially wipe out scores of spectators. But it wouldn’t be such a ‘spectacle‘ if everyone was miles from the action. Part of the attraction is the ‘buzz’ of having a racing motorcycle pass you at nearly 200mph within touching distance. 👌
 
you could charge people 10p a day to watch from your garden Andy, 35X50 bino's recomended, its only about 3 miles to view the Verandah from your house, you might not make a fortune.

Too many areas of private land are and will continue to rip off spectators in the IOM, the exit from Kirk Michael being a prime spot, (fee to go in, fee to use chair, fee to use the loo, rip off tin of coke/crisps/etc no hot cooked food, no toilets) I learned a long time ago that the churches are the place to watch from, very reasonable charges (or none) and usually great food at great prices, and they dont preach to you, plus are very gratefull for the income,(the two race weeks paying the utility bills for the whole year) all time favourite is Marown Church (no entry fee) brilliant food, fantastic huge cakes in the morning at at tea time, hot lunches, all day bacon baps/burgers for those that must and next is Bradden Church, cheap entry and brill food, ace toilets. then Union mills Church. I like watching from pub gardens as well, plenty to choose from, Ginger Hall hotel is brill as are The Creg and The Raven favourite is the Crosby
CLEM
 
Quite a few races ended because of spectator injury. The Mille Miglia, the Targa Florio? Mercedes pulled out of racing when one of their cars aviated into the spectator tribune at Le Mans. 84 dead.

Paul
 
It seems that having failed to get the requirement to have third party insurance applied to everyone riding/driving/competing on private land, which would have killed off a lot of motorsport events, someone has found another way of doing it…🤬
 
Cookstown 100 are attempting to get their insurance rather than being one event within the whole NI roads programme. The solution isn't as MCN suggests increased charging. While shorter circuits like Cookstown can and do charge admission fees for spectators larger circuits like the NW will need a army of volunteers to prevent spectator "free" entry.
The Ulster charged admission but still ended on cost grounds!
Given what the punters pay out to get over to Ireland from England and shell out on accommodation and spend in the pubs and restaurants it's the tourist board and Stena Line who need to ask whether they can afford those events to end.
Bob
 
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