Motorcycling racing’s crisis deepens

Motorcycling racing’s crisis deepens

The future of motorcycle racing in the Republic of Ireland hangs in the balance, with the Road Racing Alliance of Ireland (RRAI) emerging as potentially the only lifeline for the sport in 2025.
This comes after Motorcycling Ireland (MCI), the sport’s governing body in the Republic of Ireland, failed to secure insurance terms for the upcoming season, leaving riders and event organisers in a state of uncertainty.
The breakaway RRAI, which includes the local Southwest Road Racing Athea club, has managed to obtain its own insurance, enabling them to proceed with plans for several road races, including an ambitious attempt to revive the famous Athea Road Races in September.
However, a critical hurdle remains: the RRAI lacks the authority to issue motorsport licenses, a responsibility that lies solely with MCI.
MCI, facing a year where license fees will be their primary source of income, is unlikely to recognise RRAI events, as the alliance is not affiliated with the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), the world governing body for motorcycle racing.
The MCI board recently met to address the insurance crisis, considering three options: accepting a policy excluding road racing at €650 per license, accepting a policy including road racing at €1000 per license, or rejecting both and seeking alternative quotes.
The board opted for the third option, leaving road racing and short circuit in the Republic of Ireland events without coverage.
This decision has effectively eliminated the possibility of local riders competing at Mondello Park or in closed-road events this year.
They now face the difficult choice of obtaining an MCI license and paying for additional international start permits to race in events governed by the Motorcycle Union’s Ulster Centre or at international events like the Isle of Man TT, effectively excluding them from RRAI events.
Alternatively, riders could opt to race with the RRAI, risking the loss of their MCI licenses and international start permits, as holding licenses from two different governing bodies is prohibited.
“It is some mess,” said Ballyduff-based racer Dean O’Grady.
Tralee’s Evan O’Grady suggested that MCI could issue licenses that cover RRAI events, drawing parallels with a similar system used in off-road racing.

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