The £187,000 funding has been provided to address the immediate safety priorities of the four governing bodies under the umbrella of 2&4 Wheel Motorsport. The safety priorities are closely aligned to the findings and recommendations of the NI Motorsport Task Force report. The investment will provide safety bales, fencing and safety barriers to improve the safety of participants, volunteers and spectators. The equipment will be used at events such as motorbike road racing, car rallies, karting, hill climbs and at race tracks.
Announcing the funding, Minister Lyons said: “Motorsports have always been part of Northern Ireland’s world class sporting legacy, attracting riders and spectators from across the globe to events such as the North West 200 and other road racing circuits every year.
Minister Lyons highlighted the need to provide safer conditions for up and coming racers, saying: “We have some of the best motorsport talent in the world here in Northern Ireland and local races and circuits are important to develop their careers. While the danger remains present, as it always will at high speeds, this funding, distributed through Sport NI, will boost rider and driver safety as well as the safety of teams, officials and visitors.”