Road Racing: The Ulster Grand Prix cancelled for fifth consecutive year

The Ulster Grand Prix has been cancelled for the fifth year in a row.

The Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club has announced that the Ulster Grand Prix has been cancelled. It is the fifth year in a row that the event has been cancelled – the last taking place in 2019.

The COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the 2020 and 2021 meetings with an aim to return to the calendar for 2022. Since then, the club has faced issues with insurance, allowing the organisers to not be able to run the meeting.

It is not the first road race which has been cancelled in 2024, with the Tandragee 100 cancelled for the second consecutive year.

In a statement on social media, the Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club said: “It is with regret that the Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club must announce the Ulster Grand Prix will not take place during 2024.

“Despite recent positive negotiations with stakeholders of the event, the club has been left with no choice but to take this course of action given motorcycle sport’s ongoing insurance issues and a lack of sufficient time to find a solution to these challenges.

“The DDMC remains committed to reviving the Ulster Grand Prix and will continue to work towards achieving that goal.”

The event has faced multiple financial challenges in recent years, with the club facing debts of around £300,000. In 2022, the Revival Racing Club also tried to run a race but could not find the backing needed.

However, road racing in Northern Ireland faced a massive blow after all motorcycle races were cancelled. Fans raised £97,085 from a GoFundMe page, which allowed events such as the North West 200 to run.

When the Ulster Grand Prix last ran in 2019, Peter Hickman dominated proceedings – winning seven races. Michal Dokoupil and Neil Kernohan also stood on the top step of the podium in the lightweight and ultra-lightweight races.

Image credit: Stephen Davison