Road racing in Ireland is in turmoil after one part of the country called a halt to all events for the rest of the season but the remainder can';t come to a decision.

Late last week, the Motor Cycle Union Of Ireland (Southern Centre) annnounced that all motorcycle events in Eire  were to be cancelled and and it was expected the Ulster centre would follow suit. But no.

Southern Centre boss Sean Bissett said:  “Motorcycling Ireland announced on March 19th that all its 2020 events are cancelled for the foreseeable future to ease the pressure on the Health and Medical Services in these difficult circumstances.

“We are alarmed and annoyed to read that some individual organising clubs within the MCUI (Ulster Centre) are still intending to promote events in this current climate. They do not have the authority or support of the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland to promote these events in 2020.

“We also feel that they are bringing our sport unnecessarily into the public spotlight when the governments of Ireland are still trying to keep this epidemic under control.

“We have accepted that as for 2020 our motorcycling sport will not be adding any pressure on the various health and public departments throughout Ireland and would hope the Ulster Centre follows that lead as we look forward to joint planning for our return in 2021.”

Ulster centre bosses have decided it it is still too soon to make any decision on whether to cancel all further events in 2020 in Northern Ireland due to the continuing restrictions incurred by Coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement released on last night, the the Ulster Centre said any remaining events scheduled in 2020 would only go ahead with the ‘support and agreement of government, local councils, PSNI, insurance and the wonderful NHS’.

The statement said: “The local Motorcycle Governing Body, the MCUI (Ulster Centre) have recently received a framework document from Sport NI, and are presently reviewing the 24 page document for guidance & compliance. Motorcycling (Motorsport) is classified as non contact (stage 5). We are currently in stage 1.

“As guidance and restrictions continue to change, it is still too early to make any decision on all events and we will continue to develop our operational plan to resume if possible whilst continuing to review and communicate with the various relevant authorities in the coming months.

“If any events were to go ahead it would only be with the support and agreement with our Government, Local Councils, PSNI, Insurance and the wonderful NHS.”The statement also highlighted the need for agreement with the various officials such as timekeepers, marshals and medical personnel in order to proceed with any race meetings this year.

“Within the sport, we also need the agreement of the dedicated medical teams and first aiders, timekeepers, scrutineering, marshals, flag marshals and all the fantastic people it takes to run a race, not forgetting the people we're actually all here for, the competitors and the race fans.

“If it turns out that that's not possible this year then at least the operational plan will have been developed so we're a step closer to running next year.”