McKeown Takes First National Hot Rod Victory As Haugh Brothers Both Grab Last Gasp Wins

The new race season at Tullyroan Oval started in style on Saturday evening, March 21st, with some excellent racing across all the formulas on show. Bleary’s Drew McKeown took the honours in the elite National Hot Rods division, whilst Haugh brothers from the Birches both tasted glory with last gasp wins for Steven in the Superstox and Alan in the 1600 Rookie Bangers.
Newcomer Duane Wheelan from Lurgan surprised many with a heat and final double in the Lightning Rods, whilst Scottish youngster Alfie MacLeod made his trip across to Tullyroan worthwhile by taking a great win in the Ninja Karts.

A very pleasing 19-car entry of National Hot Rods saw new cars being debuted by both Davy Clarke and Adam Heatrick. The first heat belonged to Philip McCloy as he took the win over Jeff Riordan and Derek Martin, before Cork man Riordan went one better in heat two to grab the honours ahead of Drew McKeown and Shane Murray.
The final saw McKeown and Riordan dispute the lead for much of the distance, with Allen Cherry gamely trying to get on terms. McKeown was able to stretch his advantage nearing the end to take a great victory, his first in the formula. Many eyes though were on former World Champion John Christie, who had the crowd on their feet as he hit the outside line to race through for second in superb style. Riordan, Cherry and Martin completed the top five.

The 1600 Rookie Bangers entertained as always, with a great battle between Deano McGrath and Alan Haugh in heat one. Haugh got spun which allowed McGrath to take a fine win ahead of Lee Booth. Heat two was tremendous, with Gavin Gamble ahead until he was spun on the last lap by Steven Bolton. Bolton then withstood a last bend attack from Haugh to claim the flag ahead of Haugh and Josh Goligher.
The final saw Josh Anderson in the thick of the action as he had his car totally destroyed. McGrath had the lead until attacked by Bolton, who then lost out in the traffic. That put McGrath back ahead, but Haugh arrived with a last gasp move to grab a superb victory at the death ahead of McGrath. Bolton and Gamble tangled late on which gifted third to Goligher at the end of a great night’s racing from the formula.

A very respectable seventeen Superstox gridded for heat one, with Andrew Murphy ahead until a mid-race caution period. That allowed Neil Hyndman through to give his new car it’s maiden win ahead of World Champ Steven Haugh and Stephen Stewart. Andrew Murphy then made no mistake in heat two, racing to a clear win over Conor Murphy and Hyndman.
The final was their race of the night, with Andrew Murphy ahead but being chased hard by Conor Murphy, Ethan Martin and Paddy Murphy. But Haugh was making big inroads from the rear of the grid, and he stole the lead on the last lap, just when it matters most. Steven took a superb win ahead of Andrew Murphy, Paddy Murphy and Martin.

The Lightning Rods first heat saw Conor Doherty ahead for much of the distance, only for Jake Morgan to slip past with three laps to go to grab the victory over Ian Hobson. From then on the night was all about newcomer Duane Whhelan, as he took a clear heat two win over Doherty before repeating the feat in the final to claim his first silverware on what was a dream debut. He will be one to watch in 2026. Mark McBurney and Morgan filled out the podium slots in the final.

Visitors from England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland bolstered the Ninja Karts field to almost 30 karts, which also included five local newcomers. The heats went the way of Ollie Williamson and Eddie Fowler, who both come on strong very late on to snatch their victories.
As it had been all evening, the going was frantic in the final on a packed raceway. All the young drivers drove superbly, and it was Scotland’s Alfie MacLeod who got the break to land a fantastic final win. Harry Hoy was second ahead of England’s Quinnleigh Felton.

**Due to a hardware issue we had some troubles with the electronic timing at the meeting. We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.