For the organisers of top motorcycle racing events held on public roads in Northern Ireland may soon be given the green light to charge fans an entry fee.

Stormont Sports Minister Edwin Poots has revealed that officials from his department are considering the implication of entry fees in ongoing talks with motorsport executives.

Currently, only the organisers of the Ulster Grand Prix can charge an entry fee following the introduction of the Dundrod Circuit (Admission Charges) Regulations (NI) 2003.

The biggest crowd-pulling event - the North West 200 - attracts more than 100,000 fans each year to watch for free star riders like Michael Rutter and Steve Plater.

But Mervyn White, the race clerk at the North West 200, has hinted that fans may soon have to dip into their pocket to support the event that costs £750,000 to put on.

"It's estimated that around 120,000 people come to watch the North West 200 every year, but the reality is that the vast majority of these people don't support the event itself by putting their hand in their pocket to purchase a race programme," he says.

"People seem to expect to watch the racing for free, but it has got to the stage now that we need to see increased revenue from programme sales to enable us to carry out vital improvements around the event. One possibility that I think needs to be looked at in the future is the introduction of course admission charges.

"The main problem surrounding this would be the logistical implementation of such a major change and we would have to consult with residents on the course and make sure they were provided with passes, etc."

Speaking in an interview in the North West 200's official website (www.northwest200.org), Mr White added: "We had something like 20,000 programmes printed, and we haven't sold too many more than 10,000.

"People pay a heck of a lot more to go and watch a football match or a concert, but they seem reluctant to buy a high quality, glossy publication at the North West 200... that will help safeguard the future of the event."

At Stormont, Mr Poots revealed in an answer to a question from his DUP colleague Lord Morrow, that officials from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure are considering the implications of allowing the organisers of motorcycle road races to charge entry fees.

The minister said: "Officials from within my department are in ongoing discussions with the umbrella body for motorsport, the 4x2 Wheel Motorsport Steering Group Limited, about the wider implications this may have for organisers of other motorsports events and how issues in relation to charging at those events might be addressed."