The Athea Road Races look set to return in August after the South West Road Racing Athea club secured insurance coverage under the Road Racing Alliance of Ireland (RRAI).
This move also paves the way for the return of the Walderstown races near Athlone and the Faugheen 50 in Tipperary.
The RRAI is a breakaway group formed by road racing clubs that left Motorcycling Ireland (MCI), the sport’s governing body in the Republic of Ireland, last October due to insurance difficulties.
MCI has yet to secure insurance for its events, casting doubt on the 2025 season for many disciplines, including Mondello Park’s Masters National Championship which has yet to publish a calendar of events.
This has prompted young Kerry racer Alex O’Grady from Ballyduff to consider competing in the Ulster Superbike Championship.
O’Grady said: “I’ve planned to do USBK, I am sick of waiting for Mondello to release something. Haven’t raced up there in a while now, be nice to be on different tracks.”
O’Grady took his first Production Twin race win at the Bishopscourt Circuit in County Down in July 2023.
The Athea Road Races, held between 2002 and 2009, made a brief return in 2011 after a one-year hiatus, only to be cancelled again due to financial issues.
The South West Road Racing Athea club was formed in late 2022 in an effort to revive the races in 2023 but the insurance issue scuppered plans.
Motorcycling Ireland released a statement following a recent board meeting, acknowledging the ongoing insurance situation, including Mondello Park, as the central topic of discussion.
The MCI reassured members that they are actively engaged in negotiations and are committed to securing the best outcome for all disciplines.
They will continue these discussions until their current policy expires and remain confident in achieving a positive resolution.
The next MCI board meeting is scheduled for February 13, where competitor licensing will be the primary focus.
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Kerry Motorsport News 