After making a triumphant comeback in 2022, following a two year hiatus due to the Covid19 pandemic, a new threat looms large over the hugely popular Tandragee 100.
The first Tandragee 100 – which took place on Saturday April 19, 1958 and has been one of the most popular events on the annual racing calendar – has been cancelled.
In a statement published on Thursday night, club secretary of the North Armagh Motorcycle and Car Club, Anne Forsythe, said that it is “with regret”, the “Around A Pound Tandragee 100 has been cancelled” citing increases to insurance premiums as one of the main reasons for the decision.
Said Ms Forsythe: “This decision is in part due to the untenable increase in premium quoted for insurance as a result of turbulence within the insurance industry.
“This was not just a significant increase but an increase of over three times the premium for 2022 and with the added pressure of a substantial excess figure, should a claim arise, that is again insurmountable.
“In addition to the position regarding insurance, we have been unable to gain commitment for necessary resurfacing to be carried out, the potential costs for all of the logistics are likely to be up to 25% higher than in 2022, further requirements to secure a road closing order and there is limited time remaining to co-ordinate all the necessary activities. These challenges have all combined to leave the Club in the position that we have no option but to cancel the event.”
The club who have promoted the sporting calendar event since 1958 say they are “very disappointed, however we are committed to do everything we can to bring this awe inspiring event back in 2024.”
Ms Forsythe thanked all competitors, sponsors, landowners, volunteers and spectators for their continued support.
The Tandragee 100 is not the only casualty with all motorcycle road racing, short circuit racing and trials in Northern Ireland cancelled for 2023.
After an emergency meeting of the Ulster Centre of the Motorcycle Union of Ireland earlier this week, the organising clubs deemed it impossible to run events because of a huge increase in insurance charges.
Other cancelled events include the North West 200, Cookstown 100, Armoy Race of Legends and Ulster Grand Prix.
The Tandragee 100 is said to be one of the best National Road Race’s in Ireland and is the largest National Road Racing Grid in Northern Ireland and has been held on the same 5.3 mile long course between Markethill and Tandragee in the shallow hills of County Armagh since it’s inception.
Following last year’s event the North Armagh Motorcycle & Car Club (Tarmac Section) Ltd were delighted to hand over a donation to NI Chest, Heart & Stroke, who were the club chosen charity of the Year.
Cheque presentation from 2022 event in aid of NI Chest Heart and Stroke: Ian Thompson (Club Director), Ian Forsythe (Club Treasurer), Martin Black (NICHS Ambassador), Sheila Sinton, MBE (Club Chairperson), Neil Dillon (Landowner), Anne Forsythe (Clerk of the Course). Not in pic John Adair (Landowner). Photograph by David Maginnis.
Read more: See our Tandragee 100 2022 photo gallery sponsored by Next Move Property Sales, Tandragee
‘Excessive’ red tape could have ended plan for memorial to those killed at Tandragee 100
