Ulster Grand Prix: Continued absence of Dundrod event 'a massive blow' to road racing

Multiple Irish champion and international road race winner Ryan Farquhar says the continued absence of the Ulster Grand Prix from the calendar is "a massive blow to the sport".

The race will not take place in 2024, the fifth year in a row that the Dundrod meeting has been cancelled.

"It is fair to say that racing on the roads in Ireland is on its knees," Farquhar told BBC Sport NI.

"I don't think it has ever been in as bad a shape," added the Dungannon man.

A statement released by the Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club [DDMC] on Monday said it "remained committed" to reviving the road race despite its current difficulties.

The event has not taken place since 2019, with the DDMC citing "ongoing insurance issues" and "a lack of sufficient time to find a solution to these challenges" for its absence from the calendar in 2024.

On Tuesday evening, the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland Ulster Centre [MCUI] released a statement saying that it did "not have any insurance issues".

"We therefore assume the Dundrod & District Motorcycle Club are referring to the increased cost to themselves," said the MCUI statement.

"The Dundrod & District MCC had been set a deadline of the 8 January Council meeting to confirm if their event was running or not.

"This was not a scenario we wished to happen but the centre had several other agencies, government departments and other motorsport clubs within the 2&4 wheel motorsport group that needed an answer to allow forward planning for 2024."

The future of the Ulster GP was left in serious doubt when it was revealed that the host Dundrod and District Club had been issued with a winding up order in 2020 and was forced into liquidation.

The club had racked up debts of around £300,000 and entered into a company voluntary arrangement with creditors.

Regarded as one of the fastest road races in the world, it has not taken place since 2019 because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the financial difficulties it has experienced.

The event was handed a lifeline when the Revival Racing Club stepped in to attempt to run the race for its centenary year in 2022 but it could not secure backing, and now the latest attempt under the DDMC has not come to fruition.

"Unfortunately it's not going to happen in 2024 and we'll just have to look to the future and maybe we'll be fit to get it run in 2025," Farquhar told BBC Sport NI.

"The whole history of the event goes way back. It's a massive blow for Irish racing.

"Within the whole of Ireland there are only going to be three events this year [the Cookstown 100, North West 200 and Armoy road races]. And for the Ulster Grand Prix to possibly never go again would be a massive shame."

Farquhar's career highlights have included three Isle of Man TT wins, five North West 200 victories and nine Ulster Grand Prix successes.

He also racked up 357 road race wins and has gone on to become a successful team owner.

"I've always loved the Ulster Grand Prix, always enjoyed racing there. It's possibly the best road racing circuit in the world. I have a lot of good memories," he added.

"I had spoken to Richard Cooper, who has won quite a few races on my bikes at the North West and the Sunflower.

"We talked about going to Scarborough but also the Ulster Grand Prix and he fancied a go at racing the Dundrod circuit.

"If it had gone ahead I'd have been pushing to put a package together to put Richard out on a supertwin there."

The Cookstown 100 will take place on 26 and 27 April with the North West 200 bike week from 8-11 May before the Armoy Road Races complete the road racing season on 26 and 27 July.