- Walderstown Race of the South to return in 2026
- Last event was held in 2022
- Irish road racing calendar grows to nine events
After a break of several years, it has been confirmed that the Walderstown Road Races will be held again in 2026. The road race, based in County Westmeath, which was first held in 1973, will once again be part of the national road racing calendar. The event was last held in 2022.
A look back at the last event in Walderstown
The most recent edition of the Walderstown Road Races in 2022 featured a high-caliber field of competitors. Michael Dunlop made a particularly strong impression, winning three races. He won the Open, Supersport, and Grand Final classes, making a big statement in the sport.
There were also familiar names at the top in the other classes. Kevin Keyes from Daracore Racing secured both the Senior Support Championship and several races outside the championship standings. Michael Sweeney prevailed in the Super Twins class.
In addition, other experienced road racing riders stood at the top of the podium. The winners included Barry Davidson, Brian Mateer, John Leigh Pemberton, and Richard Ford. The list of winners was rounded off by successes from Keelim Ryan, Marcus Simpson, nicknamed Spartacus, and Jonathan Watt.
Organizer confirms comeback for 2026
Official confirmation of the event’s return has now come from the organizing Fore Motorcycle Racing Club. Following the club’s annual general meeting, another well-attended meeting was held to lay the organizational foundations for the future.
The discussions focused on the formation of a new organizing committee and the concrete planning of the Walderstown Road Races, which will continue to operate under the traditional name Race of the South. The club announced that the event will definitely take place in 2026. A specific date has not yet been announced, but is to be set in the near future.
The club’s official statement reads as follows:
“And so, the hard work begins. A big thank you to all who attended both meetings, new and old members, and to those who took up positions on the committees. Let’s go racing.”
Significance for the Irish road racing calendar
With the return of Walderstown, the Irish road racing calendar will grow to a total of nine events in 2026. The comeback of this traditional race will strengthen the national road racing scene and bring back a track that has been an integral part of the scene for decades.
Whether and in what form changes will be made to the track layout or the race program is currently unknown. Details will follow as soon as the date and framework conditions have been finalized.
What does this mean for me as a road racing fan?
The return of the Race of the South means, above all, an additional road race in the already packed Irish calendar for 2026. For road racing fans, this means another opportunity to see riders and teams on a classic course that has long been an integral part of the scene. At the same time, it increases the diversity within the season, as Walderstown traditionally had its own sporting and atmospheric profile. Whether the event will develop more as a meeting place for established names, local riders, or both will become clear once further details on the date, classes, and field of participants are announced.
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