Race of the South looks set to return
The Race of the South in Walderstown looks like it will return this year after a breakthrough was made on the thorny issue of insurance.
A recently established organisation, the Road Racing Alliance Ireland (RRAI) split from the governing body of the sport in the Republic of Ireland - Motorcycling Ireland - last October.
The RRAI has said it has secured insurance to run several races and it released a statement on Facebook saying that the road races in Walderstown (close to Athlone), Faugheen (Tipperary) and Athea (Limerick) would return this year.
No road races have been held in the Republic of Ireland since 2022 because of difficulty in obtaining suitable insurance. The RRAI (a body which includes a number of road racing clubs) said that it “seems like an eternity” since the last motorcycle races took to the roads in the Republic.
“The RRAI are pleased to announce that the organisation has in fact secured an insurance policy to cover several events for 2025,” said the statement.
“Ever since the Road Race Clubs took the unenviable decision to leave Motorcycling Ireland last October, diligent work was undertaken by the clubs to work together under the RRAI umbrella and leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of securing a policy that will result in our sport returning to where it belongs, among the hedges and roads in the Republic.”
The statement said the RRAI was trying to secure the future of the sport, and that other events for 2025 were being explored.
“The work undertaken by the RRAI and the clubs has resulted in an insurance policy that covers road races here in the South, and while there is significant work ahead, we feel that it is wholly achievable.
“At present we can confirm that several road races will take place in 2025, Walderstown, the Faugheen 50 and the return of Athea in Co. Limerick. However we are exploring other events for 2025, and we will update you all in due course with the confirmed dates.”
“The future is positive, and it is a time to celebrate, because what was once lost has been found,” the statement added.