The Mid Antrim 150 has secured its place on the Irish motorcycle road racing calendar for the 2026 season, marking a significant moment for a circuit that has weathered numerous setbacks over nearly eight decades of operation.
The legendary road race, which will be held on July 31 and August 1, 2026, represents a resurgence for one of Ireland's most storied racing events.
The event will return to the Clough circuit, the venue that has hosted the Mid Antrim 150 since its inception in 1946. This 3.5-mile course in County Antrim has been the backdrop for dramatic races that have featured some of the sport's greatest riders, including Guy Martin, Cameron Donald, Conor Cummins, Ryan Farquhar, Adrian Archibald, Michael Dunlop, and William Dunlop.
The circuit's return to the racing calendar follows a ten-year absence, as the event last took place successfully in 2016.
The road to recovery has been protracted and fraught with difficulties. Financial constraints represented the primary obstacle that kept the race off the calendar from 2017 onwards.
Heavy rain before the 2016 race day had rendered the paddock at Clough a quagmire, restricting attendance and depriving organizers of crucial revenue. Following this setback, organizers faced an uphill battle to resurrect the event amid ever-growing costs and logistical challenges.
A particularly distressing chapter in the event's recent history involved acts of deliberate sabotage. In 2011, an oil and diesel mixture was strategically placed on the circuit's racing line and braking areas on the night before the race, forcing cancellation.
This marked the second occasion when hazardous materials—including oil, glass, and nails—had been scattered across the track to prevent the event from proceeding. A second sabotage attempt in September 2022 similarly thwarted organizers' efforts to revive the race, with oil, glass, and nails discovered on the circuit the evening before the main race day.
Internal disputes also hampered the race's fortunes. In 2007, disagreements between organizers and the Motorcycle Union of Ireland over health and safety regulations led to the cancellation of the event for 2008.
A subsequent dispute with high-profile riders Michael and William Dunlop over entry fees in 2010 further strained the event's reputation and drawing power. These conflicts highlighted the complicated relationship between race organizers, riders, governing bodies, and local interests that has characterized Irish road racing for years.
Despite these obstacles, the organizational team behind the Mid Antrim 150 demonstrated remarkable resilience. Jack Agnew, who serves as treasurer of the Mid Antrim 150 Club, has been instrumental in driving efforts to resurrect the event over the past two decades.
Organizers have successfully maintained the club's profile through short-circuit racing events, including the Neil and Donny Robinson Memorial meeting, which has provided both competitive racing and financial support to offset losses.
The confirmation of the 2026 dates signals a new phase for the event. A fresh organizing team will manage the proceedings, and the club has secured the necessary financial backing to ensure the race's viability.
Crucially, local community support has strengthened considerably. Recent meetings with residents and farmers in the Clough area revealed enthusiastic backing for the event's return, with community members expressing keen interest in welcoming the race back to the region.
Agnew articulated an ambitious vision for the future. The organizers are not merely aiming to run the event in 2026; instead, they have formulated a five-year plan with the intention of hosting the race throughout that period at minimum.
This long-term commitment reflects confidence that past obstacles have been addressed and that the event can operate on a sustainable footing moving forward.
The revival of the Mid Antrim 150 forms part of a broader resurgence in Irish road racing. Earlier in 2025, the Tandragee 100 made its return to the calendar for the first time since 2022, following essential resurfacing work on sections of its circuit.
Additionally, preliminary arrangements are underway for the Ulster Grand Prix, an international event, to return to the Dundrod circuit in 2027 after its last running in 2019.
The road from 1946 to 2026 has tested the Mid Antrim 150 through financial hardship, dangerous sabotage, regulatory conflicts, and weather-related catastrophes.
Yet the event has endured, earning recognition as "Irish road racing's great survivor." As preparations commence for July and August 2026, the circuit at Clough stands ready to welcome competitors and spectators once more, rekindling a tradition that has captivated motorcycle racing enthusiasts across Ireland and beyond.
