Calls for Government support to ensure Tipperary's Faugheen 50 motorbike race can go ahead

There have been calls that the Government step in to ensure that a famous Tipperary motorbike road race can go ahead this year.

Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath has called on Minister for Sport, Patrick O’Donovan and Minister of State Charlie McConalogue to urgently intervene and provide support to the Road Racing Association of Ireland (RRAI) to ensure that the Faugheen 50, as well as six other motorbike road races can go ahead this year.

The sport has faced increased challenged over the last number of years, the Tipperary TD said, with insurance for the events being among the main problems.

"Our motorcycle road racing tradition has been under serious threat for the past number of years," he said.

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"For years, events like the Faugheen 50 have brought together racers from across the country and beyond to South Tipperary and generated valuable local tourism and economic activity but these events have not happened over the last number of years due to the inability to get insurance, however the RRAI have worked hard to overcome this issue. They now need Government support to help revive the road racing events."

Pointing to the North West 200, Deputy McGrath said that was an example of a successful model where the Government stepped in to help with insurance.

"The North West 200 receives significant backing from the Northern Ireland Executive and local councils and has grown into a major international sporting and tourism attraction in Northern Ireland. There is no reason the sport should not receive similar support in the Republic," he said.

The Tipperary TD has written to the Minister for Sport urging the Government and the Local Authority to engage directly with the RRAI and the Faugheen 50 Supporters Club to help secure the necessary support to allow the Road Races proceed.

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He emphasised that road racing events could be a vital part of rural Ireland’s sports tourism strategy if given the chance to succeed.

"The clubs and volunteers are ready. When we see exchequer funds for all types of sporting events in Ireland, there is no reason why a long running, grass roots and well supported sport should not receive support from Government and I’m calling on the Minister and Tipperary County Council to act now and help revive this important and well renowned event before it's lost entirely," Deputy McGrath added.