Road Races: the Ulster Grand Prix is cancelled (again)

Up until 2019, Ulster Grand Prix was right up there with the Tourist Trophy, one of the world’s fastest road races that saw competitors setting incredible average speeds (not to mention top speeds along the renowned “Flying Kilo”) around the Dundrod Circuit. But scenes like the epic duel between Peter Hickman and Lee Johnston that we saw during the last edition are now nothing more than a distant memory.

For financial reasons, the Dundrod & District Motorcycle Club has been unable to organise the event since 2020, with the pandemic clearly not helping when it came to finding sponsors. The project has not been completely abandoned as yet, but after five years of failed attempts it’s understandable that the fans (and the riders themselves, including the aforementioned Hickman who has still not received his prize for his wins in 2019) are increasingly skeptical, seeing as the 2024 event will not take place either.

The official press release

“It is with regret that the Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club must announce the Ulster Grand Prix will not take place during 2024”, reads the official release issued by the organization. “Despite recent positive negotiations with stakeholders of the event, the club has been left with no choice but to take this course of action given motorcycle sport's ongoing insurance issues and a lack of sufficient time to find a solution to these challenges. The DDMC remains committed to reviving the Ulster Grand Prix and will continue to work towards achieving that goal.”