Motor sports to recieve £100,000 for safety standards

Motor Sport is to benefit from £100,000 towards safety improvements at this year’s events, Sports Minister Edwin Poots MLA has said.

The Minister broke the news at today’s press launch for the 2008 Kennedy Group International North West 200.

He said: “Motor sports are extremely popular in Northern Ireland. A huge number of riders and drivers take part and even more people enjoy the thrills and spills as spectators.

“I want to make sure that our courses are as safe as possible so that everyone can enjoy racing to the full. I am therefore very pleased to make an award of £100,000 to improve safety standards for the 2008 season. I will be consulting with two and four Wheel Motor Sports Steering Group and the motor sports fraternity before deciding on how this money will be allocated.

“This is in addition to last year’s award which helped meet the cost of safety requirements during the 2007 season. This included the purchase of portable safety equipment which will also be available for this year’s programme.

“Since I became Minister in May 2007 I have met the organisers of many motor sports events and I have attended some races. Without doubt safety is of paramount importance to everyone I meet. I am confident that if races have the reputation for being professionally run, with good safety standards, they will be all the more attractive to participants and spectators.”

The Minister also thanked Mervyn Whyte, Clerk of the Course for the Kennedy North West 200 and his team of organisers from Coleraine and District Motor Club, most of whom are volunteers, for delivering a top class international event year on year. He also thanked the sponsors, Kennedy Group, and the BBC for their continued support which ensures that tourism, the economy and the international image of Northern Ireland all benefit.

He said: “As an ardent fan of bike racing I am already looking forward to 17 May with relish and to seeing some of the riders here today in action. I wish everyone involved well and hope that the weather and conditions are as good as last year.”

Notes to Editors:

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