Road racing 'will survive safety crisis'

A month ago, it was revealed that a series of damaging revelations highlighted in the wake of an inquest into the death of leading Ardglass competitor John Donnan, 42, at the Tandragee 100 in 2007 would have serious repercussions in respect of how rider and spectator safety would be safeguarded at future road race meetings.

Senior Coroner John Leckey raised his concerns with Sports Minister Nelson McCausland, in light of which the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) has put pressure on the Motorcycle Union of Ireland, Ulster Centre – which oversees motorcycle racing in Northern Ireland – to outline how it intends to protect riders and spectators, particularly young children, at future events.

Earlier this month, Ulster’s most senior road racer, Ryan Farquhar, told our sister paper the News Letter he felt the sport “was on its knees” and required a dramatic shake-up in order for progress to be made.

Now, the MCUI (UC) has taken the first steps in what it hopes will represent a more stringent approach to safety by appointing a new, six-strong group to its Roads Inspection Committee to assess road race events and determine whether or not they are granted approval to continue in 2010.

The committee boasts a wealth of experience and includes North West 200 Race Director Mervyn Whyte, Mid-Antrim 150 Clerk of Course Jack Agnew, Armoy Clerk of Course Bill Kennedy, George Young, Ian Thompson and convenor Jack McGahan.

They were set to inspect the Cookstown 100 circuit in Co Tyrone on Sunday to appraise safety levels before granting the organising club a permit to host their event – traditionally the curtain-raiser to the road racing season – at the end of next month.

Last Friday, MCUI Roads Inspection Committee official Jack Agnew said he felt optimistic the obstacles facing the sport were not insurmountable.

“We have been working hard since the coroner raised his concerns and now have a new Roads Inspection Committee in place,” Mr Agnew said.

“I feel a lot more positive now than I did a month ago. We have also put together our proposals for the Sports Minister ahead of our meeting with DCAL next week.

“I believe the report we have compiled is more than adequate in respect of answering the queries and concerns raised by the coroner; there is a real determination to pull together to ensure road racing survives.”

He added: “We have a committee that has a wealth of experience and I have total faith that we can move forward on the issue of improving safety. The committee, I feel, consists of the best people from within the MCUI and we will do all we can to ensure every course is as safe as possible for spectators and competitors.

“I can’t say at this moment whether or not the beginning of the road racing season will be affected, because that will depend on whether we feel courses are safe enough and on whether or not the organising clubs are prepared to act on and implement any recommendations we make.

“If they don’t act on our proposals, then they won’t be issued with a permit to run their race. Every course will be assessed on an individual basis.”

Mr Agnew confirmed that moves to appoint an external safety assessor are at an advanced stage, but stressed that the Roads Inspection Committee will retain responsibility for approving national and international road race circuits.

Meanwhile, the organisers of the North West 200 will make a major safety change to the ‘Triangle’ circuit ahead of this year’s meeting on May 15 by constructing a new chicane at the notorious Mather’s Cross section of the course, which has claimed the lives of Robert Dunlop and Mark Young from Cookstown in recent years.