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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Gareth Fullerton

Ulster Grand Prix 2020: Organisers voice 'deep regret' as event is cancelled

This year's Ulster Grand Prix has been cancelled.

Organisers said it was with "great regret" that they have been forced to shelve the 2020 running of the international road race.

The Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club said it had been unable to find enough financial support to proceed with the event.

"It is with great regret the organisers of the Ulster Grand Prix, the Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club, must announce the race will not take place in 2020," the club said in a statement.

"Despite numerous meetings in recent months with councillors, MLAs, MPs and Ministers and other interested parties, we have been unable to find the necessary financial support to run the meeting this year.

"The unprecedented crisis surrounding the Coronavirus epidemic has made finding a solution at this stage impossible."

The Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club  revealed last November  that debts in the region of £250,000 had created a major financial crisis.

Despite a full programme of racing being run throughout 2019 Race Week, a severe weather warning forecast for Saturday’s principal race day resulted in one of the smallest crowds ever witnessed at Dundrod.

The huge loss of income this caused, compounded by existing liabilities, had created a major financial crisis for Ireland’s oldest and most famous motorcycle race.

The impact of coronavirus has compounded the problems being felt by organisers.

Other major motorcycling events have been postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic, including the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT.

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