Welsh TT now cancelled…
By Robin Roberts.
Another blow has hit plans to bring back Manx-style TT-road races to Wales.
Cancellation of this year’s Welsh Road Race was announced earlier this month after the organisers failed to meet a strict list of safety and administrative requirements of motor-cycle racing’s UK governing body.
The event, last run in 1954, was announced at the 2017 bike show but now sponsorship and facilities director of the event, businessman Phil Morris, has resigned.
In a short statement he said, “The reasons for my resignation are personal and not for public discussion. I would, however, like to offer my thanks to all my family and close friends, sponsors and other businesses and individuals who have supported me in our plans.”
The sport’s governing body, the ACU, was concerned that the proper permissions had not been obtained to safely run it but the event’s managing director, Derek Smith, claimed it was a recent change to the law in Wales opening up public roads which led to its cancellation.
It is an embarrassment for Mr Smith, who organises the Aberdare Park Road Races and is general secretary of East South Wales ACU.
The cancellation of the Welsh Road Race will disappoint thousands of fans and it will be more difficult to restore their confidence in the event being held in future.