Ulster Gazette - News - Tandragee 100 is cancelled

News

Tandragee 100 is cancelled

Thursday, 4 February 2010

THIS year's Tandragee 100 has been sensationally dropped from the road racing calendar.
The decision was taken at a meeting of North Armagh Motorcycle and Car Club last Thursday night.
And the news has been met with disappointment as the Tandragee 100 is regarded as the biggest sporting event of the year in terms of spectators.
Thousands of fans fill every vantage point around the course annually and only last year, the Tandragee 100 celebrated its 50th anniversary.
This will be only the third time that the event has been cancelled. Back in 1972 the Tandragee 100 was called off due to the political situation in the Province, while the 2001 race was wiped out after the outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease.
This year's event, however, according to officials of the North Armagh Motorcycle and Car Club, has fallen victim to 'the current economic climate and circumstances beyond our control'.
A statement released on behalf of the club read: "Due to the current economic climate and circumstances beyond our control, the North Armagh Motorcycle and Car Club Ltd have, with regret, taken the decision to defer the Tandragee 100 national road race for one year.
“The club has every intention to the run the race again in 2011.
“The club would like to extend grateful thanks to our sponsors and landowners for their continued support."
This year's Tandragee 100 had been earmarked as one of three flagship events - along with Mullahead Ploughing Championships and Armagh Show - by Armagh City and District Council.
Ulster Unionist Councillor Robert Turner, who is also a member of the North Armagh Motorcycle and Car Club, said he was disappointed the race had been cancelled.
“It is a real pity that this decision had to be taken," he said.
“Last year the Tandragee 100 marked 50 years of road racing and while it is a dangerous sport, the competitors know the risks involved.
“Behind the North West 200 and the Ulster Grand Prix, the Tandragee 100 is the biggest road racing event in the country.
“But I am confident that the Tandragee 100 will be back with a vengeance next year and it will be bigger and better than ever."
The event has been overshadowed in recent years following the deaths of two high-profile riders.
In 2007 Ardglass rider John Donnan was killed at the event, while a year later, Dubliner Martin Finnegan lost his life in a crash at Marlacoo Corner.
But Councillor Turner added he was confident that the deaths of two of the best names in the sport had 'no influence in the decision to cancel this year's event'.
Last month, an inquest in Donnan's death heard calls from the coroner for safety improvements in local road racing events.
A barrister for Donnan's family argued that a hay bale supposed to slow down competitors helped cause the crash.
The inquest also heard that officials ignored warnings the area was unsafe.
Senior Coroner John Leckey said: "We are just approaching that period of the year when motorcycle road race events are being held and I am concerned that a hard look should be taken at the safety issues in all the circuits."
James Irwin, chief marshal at the course, claimed he had warned the safety officers of the danger after seeing another rider, Leo Fitzpatrick, hit one of the same bales and break a leg.
He alleged he had not been allowed to express his concerns at a meeting and said adjusting the chicane slightly could have prevented the earlier rider from dislodging it and saved Mr Donnan's life.
Richard Nesbitt, convenor of the road inspection committee for looking after competitors' and spectators' safety for the Motorcycle Union of Ireland Ulster centre, said he could not remember receiving any such warning from Mr Irwin and claimed there was nothing more stable available in 2007.