REGRETABLE UPDATE JUNE '25

Following on from the Mediation Process between the RRAI and Motorcycling Ireland we need to clarify a number of points being raised over the last number of days. Despite securing an insurance policy for 7 road race events, it was necessary to try and raise the funds through a number of means to pay for the events rather than burden the RRAI Clubs which would essentially place an unfair financial responsibility on those clubs and members.

The RRAI sought to secure meaningful support from the Irish Government though funding not just for the Road Race Insurance Policy, but for the entire sport of motorcycle racing in the Southern Centre. Despite a firm commitment from the relevant bodies, there was a request that the MCI and the RRAI work together as Sport Ireland and the Government would only recognise one National Governing Body for any motorcycle sport in the Southern Centre. The Government and the Department of Sport, along with Sport Ireland provided the space and resources for a meaningful mediation process to commence to assist in finding a way forward for motorcycle sport, and road racing.

The outcome of this process resulted in the RRAI organisation from having nothing to do with the running, governance of road race events, securing insurance policies for the Road Race Events, the licencing and training of officials or riders. With recent changes to MCI Committees, they have autonomy to conduct these operations and governance as part of Motorcycling Ireland. Sadly, and regrettably the RRAI had to surrender the insurance quote and plans for the sport, to ensure the cohesiveness and effectiveness of the National Governing body, Motorcycling Ireland and the MCI Road Race Committee and clubs.

For the RRAI as a representative and governing body for road racing in the Southern Centre, we have come to the end of the road. The RRAI would like to thank everyone for their support and hope, over the last number of months,

and wish Motorcycling Ireland and the Committees the very best for the years to come in representing the entire motorcycle sport in the Southern Centre.

The RRAI is currently in the process of refunding all the purchases of Full Send season tickets and Solo Season Tickets and will refund completely all those sales over the coming days and weeks. In relation to the GoFund Me donations, the RRAI will return those donations to each and every donor. We will be contacting individuals to get this done as soon as possible, and in the event that some donors wish to have their donations retained and given to the Injured Riders Fund, please reach out to us. As previously stated by the RRAI, all operational costs were covered by RRAI Board members personally to ensure that those sales and donations were fully protected.

On behalf of the RRAI we would like to thank all those who have worked diligently as part of the organisation in their roles and wish them the best in all their future endeavours within the sport and their clubs, while acknowleging the fantastic work done by others outside of the RRAI..

In addition, the RRAI would like to thank each, and everyone involved in the sport of Road Racing for their support and messages since last year, those words did not go unnoticed and were greatly appreciated especially as we were ensuring that no stone was left unturned in the pursuit of getting back between the hedges, and to sincerely apologise that sadly we did not achieve the desired outcome of getting the events back up and running. It wasn’t due to the lack of hard work, commitment and belief that our sport could return, and we all could get back to watching what is part and parcel of our motorcycling heritage. Everyone at the RRAI would like to wish the Tandragee Club, and the Armoy Club the very best for the upcoming road races this month, and in July.