The Mid Antrim 150 road races have been called off because of extensive oil spillages on the circuit, with sabotage the likely motive for the damage.

The clerk-of-the-course arrived on Saturday morning to find much of the course at Clough had been covered and a major clean-up operation ensued.

The organisers cancelled the event at 1230 BST and the police were informed.

"It looks like it was malicious but I've no evidence to prove that," said organiser Jack Agnew.

"We did our best to run the event but I wasn't prepared to risk the safety of riders. We are determined that the race will run again in 2012," he added.

A mixture of oil and diesel was found on the circuit.

DUP councillor Hubert Nicholl also said "it looks like it was done deliberately".

"If it was, it was a very selfish action and a very dangerous action especially for people other than those who were going to be racing", he said.

Cllr Nicholl dismissed a sectarian motive for any sabotage.

"We would be very surprised if there is anything sectarian in this," he said.

"I think it was probably somebody who didn't want to see the racing take place for some reason."