Ryan Farquhar claims 'bullying' forced him out

The decision to miss the Bush National Road Races by Ryan Farquhar was down to what he calls 'bullying' by the governing body, the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland (Ulster Centre).

Farquhar, who dominated the Irish roads season in 2009, was expected to be a front-runner at the weekend's event in Dungannon. His 2010 season had picked up where he left off last year, picking up victories at the Cookstown 100, and he'd enjoyed a much improved Isle of Man TT, securing two podium finishes.

However, the four-times Duke Road Race Rankings winner boycotted the Bush event amid a row over the eligibility of one of his bikes. Farquhar said he was bitterly disappointed not to be able to race at his home event.

He said:

"The MCUI (UC) can't change the rules as and when it suits them, yet they're bullying people around and, quite frankly, it's just not on."

"Everyone I've spoke to, whether it be sponsors or friends, is right behind me so I made the decision to withdraw from the Bush meeting. It's my home event so I was bitterly disappointed not to be there, but I feel that I have to make a stand and stand up to the MCUI (UC)."

"I'm being penalised for the inadequacies of the MCUI (UC) who have failed to get their paperwork in order and have been telling people different things over the last few months over what is and what isn't allowed. It's simply not fair and I won't be pushed around by these bullies."

The row erupted after Farquhar was told his self-built 450cc machine would no longer be able to compete directly with 125cc bikes at Irish National Road Races. He said that over the winter he was informed the 450s would be allowed to compete in direct competition to the 125s and built his own bike using a KX450F Kawasaki engine.

After using the bike successfully over the Easter weekend at Bishopscourt and Kirkistown, Farquhar rode the bike at the first road race of the season, the Cookstown 100, and defeated William Dunlop on his 125cc Honda by 1.179s after a thrilling race.

However, Dunlop protested, saying 450s shouldn't have been allowed to race alongside the 125s and, just before he left for the TT, Farquhar was told he had been removed from the results. An appeal was lodged and, although this has yet to be heard, Farquhar wasn't allowed to compete against the 125s at the Bush.

There was a race for 450cc machines, but they had to start separately from the 125s and not together, as the MCUI (UC) had initially stated at the beginning of the year.

Farquhar said the entire reason he built the 450cc machine was to prove that they could be competitive against 125s and that the class had a strong future with two strokes machines gradually disappearing and being phased out from the racing world.

This could only be done by the two different bikes competing directly against each other in a straight race, he added.

Farquhar said:

"Over the winter I was informed by various parties at the MCUI (UC) that 450s were going to be introduced to run alongside the 125s at National road races. I was given a set of regulations, which I still have, and, having spoken to Kawasaki, who fully supported me in the project, built a bike that was completely within the rules and guidelines that were laid down."

"Sadly, the two strokes are dying out and so the 450 machines are the ideal replacement and perfect for getting youngsters into the sport. I believed that I could build a bike that could be competitive and do a lot of good for the future of the sport thus proving a lot of the doubters wrong."

He continued:

"The regulations came out for the Easter meetings and I had my entries accepted subsequently practicing and racing without any problem. The regulations for Cookstown came out in December, before the MCUI (UC) had made their decision about the 450s, but I again spoke to various parties of the MCUI (UC) who told me that I would be eligible to race the 450 against the 125s at the Cookstown 100."

"I entered the race, was listed in the programme, qualified second and then won the race. However, William Dunlop protested my inclusion, a decision that was upheld. I did everything by the book, have everything written down in black and white and so appealed the decision as I felt I had been treated unfairly."

"My appeal has yet to be heard, yet I was told by the Dungannon Motorcycle Club that I wouldn't be allowed to race against the 125s at the Bush - I could've raced the 450 as a separate class, but the whole idea of the 450 concept was for them to compete in direct competition to the 125s."

"In my opinion, I should be allowed to race against the 125s until my appeal has been heard and I feel really disappointed that the Dungannon Club didn't back me 100% on this."

"The 450s are a great bike that can entice young kids into the sport as they are relatively cheap to run and are a great bike for them to learn on. Every manufacturer builds a 450cc machine that can be converted into a race bike and, just like I helped do with the Super Twins class, I believed that I could successfully raise the profile of the class and help the future of the sport."

"But this can only be done if they are allowed to compete directly against the 125s and not be run as a separate race."

Kawasaki's Sales and Marketing Manager Michael Johnstone said:

"Whilst disappointed, Kawasaki UK support Ryan's decision not to race this weekend. The decision by the organising body not to follow the agreed regulations on the inclusion on 450cc, single cylinder four strokes in the 125cc class at this meeting is very disappointing. We share Ryan's frustration knowing the amount of time, effort and money he has invested in to this project."

"We also share the disappointment of many race fans in Northern Ireland. After the close racing seen in this class at Cookstown, I am sure many were relishing the prospect of a season of competitive racing in this category. We hope that this issue can be resolved soon."