Faugheen slides off road race calendar
Wednesday March 10 2010
THE popular Faugheen Road Races, scheduled for July 24th/25th, have fallen foul of the current economic climate, and the race will be missing from the calendar this year. Club chairman Derek Power said: 'The club remains committed to running our road race in 2011 and will pursue with tremendous vigour a number of major fund-raising events during 2010 in order to have sufficient funds in the bank to pay bills, prior to running our road race in 2011.
'The cost of running the road race is in excess of e80,000, despite being provided with a substantial amount of 'free' or 'at cost' items and the goodwill of many local companies and individuals.
'We also feel that you can't cut corners with safety, and we are not prepared to do that. We normally have over 100 entries, but last year we only got 72, and we feel that this year will be worse. 'We have had seven good years and we don't want to cancel, but the decision had to be made, as our insurance bill of e14,000 would have to be paid this week. We are also disappointed for the local community, as it is the major event of their year.'
This sad departure from the calendar follows on from the cancellation of the Tandragee 100, and despite rumours of other events dropping out, Sean Bissett, president of Motor Cycling Ireland, said: 'We are disappointed that the event has been dropped, but we hope that this will be the only event in the South this year to be cancelled, as clubs seem to be coping in the current economic climate.'
Last year the event was dominated by Ryan Farquhar, who won four races, and William Dunlop (two).
Keep 'er lit!
- Jack CORRY
