Cookstown 100: Motorcycling Ireland 'alarmed and annoyed' by racing plans
- Published
Derek Sheils, Adam McLean and Derek McGee all won races at last year's Cookstown 100
Motorcycling Ireland and the Ulster governing body appear to be at odds over whether the Cookstown 100 should take place in September.
Cookstown 100 organisers announced earlier this week that the event - postponed from April - would now take place in the autumn.
However, Motorcycling Ireland released a strongly worded statement on Friday.
"They do not have our authority or support to promote these events," said Motorcycling Ireland.
Motorcycling Ireland added that it was "alarmed and annoyed" by the intention to run the meeting.
"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," continued Motorcycling Ireland's statement.
"We have accepted that, as for 2020, our 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."
In response, Cookstown 100 organisers said they still planned to try to run their event with 1500-2000 spectators.
The Ulster Centre of the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland does have the option of not acceding to Motorcycling Ireland's directive.
Speaking in a personal capacity on Friday evening, Ulster Centre chairman John McClure did not directly address Motorcycling Ireland's comments.
"We are all concerned at this world pandemic and it's going to be a different world going forward," said Mr McClure.
"Every country in the world are doing things different and within those countries different measures are being implemented.
"The truth is no-one knows what's going to happen and when it will end.
"One thing is however sure. If we give up trying there's no point in anything.
"If any events were to go ahead it would only be with the support and agreement of our government, local councils and the wonderful NHS."
Motorcycling Ireland announced in March that all its 2020 events were cancelled for the foreseeable future to ease the pressure on health and medical services during the Covid-19 pandemic.