Harris Healey has been elected as chairman of the Ulster Centre of the Motorcycle Union of Ireland.

Healey, who previously served as chairman in 1986 and 1987, defeated the present vice-chairman Billy Nutt by 14 votes to five at Saturday's AGM.

Prior to the AGM, there were suggestions that the future of road racing in Northern Ireland could hinge on the outcome of the meeting.

Nutt is on record as saying that road racing should be ended because of the number of riders that have been killed in recent years.

The former North West 200 supremo feels that motorcycling should instead be geared towards the safer short circuit meetinigs.

Healey, on the other hand, argues for the continuation of road racing providing that every feasible safety measure is introduced.

Also at Saturday's AGM, North West 200 Clerk of the Course Mervyn Whyte unseated the outgoing secretary Trevor Reid.

i