MOTOR SPORT:DESPITE BEING forced to cancel for the second time in three years, organisers of the Phoenix Park Motor Races remain confident the event has a long-term future. The lack of major sponsorship and tremendous organisational difficulties have put a severe strain on the staging of the historic road racing event in recent years.

And, less than three weeks before it was due to take place over the weekend of August 14th/15th, an inability to attract sufficient race drivers and sponsorship revenue has seen the event fall by the wayside for another year.

After it was cancelled in 2008, there was renewed sense of optimism last year with some 150 cars competing across 10 different classes around the ‘Oldtown’ road circuit in the Phoenix Park. And with no entrance fee, the park is after all a public space, approximately 30,000 fans lined the narrow course over the two days.

But, against the backdrop of a worsening economic climate, just 28 cars had confirmed for this year’s races by last Friday. With sponsorship equally problematic to secure, organisers were looking at losses in excess of €50,000, a figure that was clearly unsustainable.

“Perhaps we were a little naive to consider running the event again this year, considering the current climate,” conceded clerk of the course Ann Stevens yesterday. “Sponsorship has been very, very difficult to come by. Last year was hard enough, but it has been even worse this year.

“You never rely purely on the entry fees to cover costs and sponsorship has always been essential in making up the shortfall. This year it just wasn’t there. As of Friday, we had 28 entries. You can see the predicament we were in and there was no choice but to cancel. What can you do?”

Regardless of the difficulties Stevens and her team encountered over the past 12 months, with 107 years of history behind the event she is adamant there will always be a place in the Irish sporting calendar for motor racing in the Phoenix Park. “My attitude is to never give up,” Stevens added. “Motor sport isn’t the only sport hurting at the moment but it is suffering, there’s no doubt about that. But we’ve already applied for a date for next year, although that still has to be approved.”