While the Department for Regional Development has no responsibility for sporting policy or funding, it does facilitates road racing events by making road closing orders.

Following the cancellation due to severe weather conditions of this year’s Saturday Programme at the ‘International North West 200’ motor cycling race event, the second cancellation in three consecutive years, the Minister pledged to explore measures that would provide all road race event organisers with greater flexibility around road closures.

Danny Kennedy said:

“Every year tens of thousands of people attend car and motor cycle road racing events across Northern Ireland. Motor sport significantly benefits our economy particularly in terms of tourism and support for local businesses.

“This is a cross-departmental issue and I have consulted with my Executive colleagues with responsibility in these areas and I welcome their support for the changes I am proposing.

“I have also taken the views of the ‘2 and 4 Wheel Motorsport Steering Group’ and other stakeholders into consideration in developing what I consider to be a realistic and balanced solution to the problems that our predictably unpredictable weather creates.

“It is entirely realistic that the new arrangements could be in place early next year in time for the 2014 Motor Sport season.”

The proposed change to the current road race legislation would mean that race promoters could, with the Department’s approval, bring forward or defer a race day or practice session where it is anticipated that bad weather might result in their cancellation. The Minister continued: “There now exists a real opportunity for everyone to have their say about how we address the impact that severe weather has on motor sport events.”

The Consultation is open until 7 October 2013 and can be found at http://www.drdni.gov.uk/publications-details.htm?docid=9008



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