2020 Ulster Grand Prix cancelled

The 2020 Ulster Grand Prix has been cancelled by its organisers following months of uncertainty. 

The future of the road racing event has been in doubt since November, when the event’s organisers released a statement confirming that they were in financial difficulty.

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The 2019 event started brightly, with Peter Hickman breaking the speed record with his 136.415mph lap. That pace was enough the make the UGP the fastest road race in the world once again. However, a severe weather warning for the main Superbike race on the Saturday led to the majority of fans staying at home and only a small crowd gathering for the main event.

“The huge loss of income, compounded by existing liabilities, has resulted in a major financial crisis for the organisers of the Ulster Grand Prix, the Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club,” the statement in November read.

Since November, the Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club have been meeting with government officials – including Councillors, Westminster MPs and MLAs – and working to find financial support, but to no avail. After weeks of uncertainty, and due to the recent outbreak of coronavirus, the UGP’s organisers have been forced to call off the event.

“It is with great regret the organisers of the Ulster Grand Prix, the Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club, must announce the race will not take place in 2020,” today’s statement reads.

“Despite numerous meetings in recent months with councillors, MLAs, MPs and Ministers and other interested parties, we have been unable to find the necessary financial support to run the meeting this year.

“The unprecedented crisis surrounding the Coronavirus epidemic has made finding a solution at this stage impossible.”

This morning’s news means that all three major road racing events have either been cancelled or postponed. The Isle of Man TT has been cancelled, whilst the North West 200 has been postponed indefinitely because of the coronavirus pandemic.