Christie Bounces Back With Tullyroan World Series Win

Former World Champion John Christie from Ballinderry bounced right back to form at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday April 29th, winning the National Hot Rods final just two weeks after a huge crash left his car badly damaged. On a night of changing conditions, European and Irish Champion Drew McKeown from Bleary won the opening round of the 2.0 Hot Rods Hoosier Challenge Series, and Gordy McKee from Templepatrick scooped the Unlimited National Bangers Spring Classic.
Newly crowned European Champion Nigel Jackson from Portaodwn raced to a heat and final double in the Lightning Rods, with young Jack Morrison, also from Portadown, the winner in the Ninja Karts.

Round 10 of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI saw an opening heat win for Mark Heatrick after he demoted early leader Johnny McCloy. John Christie and Adam Hylands made the most of their generous blue grading to take second and third respectively. Heatrick repeated the feat in heat two, taking his second chequered flag of the evening ahead of Hylands and Philip McCloy.
The final was run in the wettest conditions of the night, with Johnny McCloy looking good out front for almost half the race distance. He could offer no resistance to Christie when he arrived though, John taking the win to go some way towards banishing the memory of his big crash a fortnight previously. Glenn Bell produced a great drive to take second ahead of Adam Maxwell, Derek Martin and Heatrick.

A scrappy opening heat for the 2.0 Hot Rods saw Allen Cherry take the win over World Champion Jordan Rochford and Conor Hughes, before Adam Best took the chequers in heat two ahead of Drew McKeown and Adam Heatrick.
Cherry beat Best away at the beginning of the Hoosier Tyres sponsored final to take the lead, but his start had grabbed the attention of Race Control and he was given a black cross warning board. An early caution period eliminated some fancied runners, but Cherry was totally in control to take the flag. He was unfortunately docked two places for a jump start, handing to victory to McKeown over Best.

Deano McGrath was the early leader in the Spring Classic for Unlimited National Bangers, but Gordy McKee quickly slipped past to take up the running and take the win over Deano McGrath and World Champion Stevo McGrath.
Kieran McIvor led the opening Allcomers until he went out, handing the win to Stevo McGrath over his cousin Deano. Leonard Dunn took the win in the second Allcomers after McIvor had again been ahead, with Stevo McGrath then taking the Destruction Derby win after a tough battle against David Gurney and Jonathan Compelli.
Deano McGrath took Entertainer of the Day with Best Wreck going to Tony Gillespie.

In the Lightning Rods opener, Dean Catherwood took the win over Stuart Agnew, after Kielian Toland had led for some distance. Dermot Tynan was the low grader to set the pace in heat two, before Nigel Jackson came past to win over Agnew and Mark Corry.
The final saw the worst of the conditions, and that played into the hands of wet weather expert Jackson. He relegated early leaders Mark McCambridge and James McKinney to take the win in some style over McKinney, Agnew and McCambridge.

An excellent field of Ninja Karts entertained as always, with Rowdy Grattan the man to watch in the heats. He took his first ever win in the opening race ahead of Jake Barnett and Keegan Turtle. Rowdy then won again in heat two, taking the flag clear of Jack Murphy and Barnett.
The final saw Grattan go out early on, his hat-trick hopes dashed. Barnett hit the front until a late race caution brought the whole field together for the restart. It was a very messy restart which resulted in a very lengthy Stewards Enquiry after the race. In the final analysis it was Jack Morrison who took a deserved win over Barnett and Irish Champion Charlie Johnston, after a number of penalties were handed down.
John Wolsey photos

Kyle Doubles Up In Spedeworth TV/ NIOval TV Superstox Series

Despite the weather conditions deteriorating as the evening progressed, the drivers still served up an excellent evening of Stock Car racing at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday, April 15th.
The opening round of the Spedeworth TV/NIOvalTV Series for Superstox saw a heat and final double for World champion Kyle Beattie from Aughnacloy, whilst Antrim’s Ryan McCrory was victorious in the 2.0 Hot Rods final.
Wet weather expert Nigel Jackson from Portadown scooped the Lightning Rods final, whilst the other feature race wins fell to Antrim’s Leyton Hughes in the Junior Productions and Cullybackey’s David Wilson in the Thunder Rods.

Series sponsor Brian Lammey from NIOvalTV set the pace in the opening Superstox heat, leading until well past the half-way mark when former Irish Champion Jordan Robinson swept past to take the win, ahead of Craig McConnell and Kyle Beattie. With the second heat now wet, Beattie excelled to take the victory over his cousin David Beattie and Irish Champion Steven Haugh.
David Beattie hit the front in the final after just five laps, but he then had Kyle Beattie chasing him down and reducing his advantage. As they entered the closing stages, David dramatically had his throttle jam open which saw him crash out on the Annaghmore Bend, gifting the lead to the World Champion. Kyle rounded out the remaining laps to complete his double for the evening ahead of McConnell, Curtis Greer and David McMenemy.

There was drama in the opening laps of the opening 2.0 Hot Rods heat, as a turn one skirmish amongst the leaders resulted in nine cars being eliminated from the race. Through the melee came Ally Neill, who recorded the win over Denver Grattan, Michael Woods and the returning former double World Champ Wayne Woolsey.
Heat Two saw Woods master the changing conditions best, as he swept home to the chequered flag ahead of Ryan McCrory and Grattan.
The Final saw the worst of the weather, with McCrory breaking clear of early leader Chris McCloy to take the win in some style. Conor Hughes worked his way through to second ahead of Woods and Jordan Rochford.

Tipperary visitor Richie Power bolstered the Lightning Rods field, which saw a dominant Heat One win for James McKinney ahead of World Champion Ricky Shaw and Gerry Rogers. Shaw improved in Heat Two to take the win ahead of Stuart Agnew and McKinney.
There was a great early battle in the Final between Nigel Jackson and Mark Corry, with Jackson getting the upper hand to power ahead and take the silverware. Corry had to make do with the runner up position, ahead of Agnew, Shaw and McKinney.

A fine grid of Junior Productions took to the grid for their opener, with Dylan Fegan taking the flag before being disqualified in the post race analysis. That handed victory to Jake Devlin ahead of Harry Minish and Callum Doak. Recent newcomer Minish has impressed many since his debut, and he took the honours in heat two ahead of another rapid novice, Ryan Abernethy. Andrew Russell and Fegan completed the top places.
The final saw Minish again set the pace out front, but he had the field close right up behind him after a lap five caution flag, called after Brandon Litter was stranded on the entry to turn one. Leyton Hughes was the man to watch after the restart, powering around the outside line like a veteran to take the lead, and the win, in commanding style. Minish held on for a deserved second from Doak, Devlin and Lauren Berry.

The Thunder Rods as always produced three close, competitive races, with Simon McLaughlin getting off to the best possible start by taking the opening heat ahead of Gary Freeburn and James Goldie, after Tom Archibald hit trouble whilst ahead. For Heat Two David Wilson was the man to watch in the wet, chasing down long time leader Freeburn to take the victory. Freeburn held on for second ahead of Daniel Rodgers and Archibald.
In the final Freeburn led once again, the Ballymena newcomer showing great skill to build an advantage in the wet conditions. But Wilson was again utilising a wide line and somehow finding grip whilst many of the others struggled for traction. David swooped right around Freeburn with three laps to go to take the win, despite the close attentions of Rodgers who was another revelling in the rain. Rab Preston grabbed third at the end ahead of Freeburn and Matthew Nicholl.

Cardwell On Form To Take Alan Connolly Memorial Trophy Win

The 2023 oval racing season opened at Aghadowey Oval on Easter Monday afternoon. The coveted Alan Connolly Memorial Trophy for Stock Rods was the feature event of the day, and it was won by Ballinderry’s Jonny Cardwell after a dominant display. An enthralling National Hot Rods final fell to Kells driver Derek McMillan, whilst young English driver Charlie Weston won the Ninja Karts King of Aghadowey title.
Other feature race winners were Chris Hamill in the 1300 Stock Cars and Cullybackey debutant Peter Moore in the Thunder Rods.

An international field took to the grid for the third running of the Alan Connolly Memorial Trophy for Stock Rods, held in memory of the former World Champion from Ballymoney. Mark Crawford took a clear heat one win with Jonny Cardwell getting the best of a great scrap for second. Sam McNeice got the better of Scottish visitor Gary Dean to take the second heat win, with Samuel Wilson and Mark Foster next home.
The final saw a polished drive from Cardwell, as the former British and Irish Champion pulled clear from pole position to record a great victory. A huge places battle saw Stevie McNiece grab second, with Sam McNeice in third ahead of Dean, Crawford and Siobhan Martin.

A slightly depleted field of National Hot Rods was reduced further when Kenny McCann crashed out of the opening heat, with Thomas Dilly giving a maiden win to his new Ginetta ahead of Gary Woolsey and Derek McMillan. Dilly again took the honours in heat two, this time heading home Jeff Riordan and McMillan.
A wet track before the Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI Round 9 final saw the teams guessing as to set up and tyre choice, with McMillan the first to show as he powered past Dilly to open out a huge gap out front. Dilly was fighting a rearguard battle, as the pack queued behind looking for a way past. Glenn Bell finally broke through, but he was now over half a lap behind leader McMillan. But Derek was now hitting heavy backmarking traffic backed up behind Dilly, and Bell was right with him within five laps. For the last ten laps the lead duo then circulated side by side, boxed in by the squabbling placemen ahead of them. McMillan just got the verdict on the line by the slenderest of margins, ahead of Bell and Shane Murray.

A high number of visitors from both England and Scotland led to a very busy raceway for the young Ninja Kart aces. National, English and Irish Open Champion Charlie Weston won the opener ahead of Jake Barnett and Stuart Shevill Jnr Jnr. Another English driver, Mason Carberry, then took the second heat trophy over Henry Hunn and debutant Lewis Hazlett.
The King of Aghadowey rounded off a great afternoon of racing from the young 6-11-year-old drivers, with Weston taking the win for England despite the best efforts of Scottish racer Shevill. William Hunn took third ahead of Katie-Lee Smart and Tommy Melrose.

The hard hitting 1300 Stock Cars fielded an excellent 19 cars, with third generation racer Josh Hill leading the field off on his debut. James Crossett took both heat wins, the first ahead of Steven Bolton and Matthew Milliken, the second from Ty Richardson and Chris Hamill.
Richardson worked his way ahead in the final, but as the bumpers were exchanged in the pack Hamill emerged in second. Richardson could offer resistance when Chris challenged for the lead, the signs specialist taking the win ahead of Gareth Halliday and Josh McKinstry.

An excellent field of Thunder Rods were on hand for their first outing of the season, with Gary Freeburn the early heat one leader before Jordan Nicholl slipped past to take the win ahead of Peter Moore. Moore was showing some excellent pace for a novice, and he impressed as he took the chequered flag in heat two over Nicholl and Simon McLaughlin.
Owen Anderson was the first to show in the final, but Moore was again on a mission as he worked his way to the front and pulled clear. He took the chequered flag in style after a dream debut meeting, his double sealing an instant upgrade for his next outing. Adam McKinney, Tom Archibald and Anderson were next as the chequered flag fell.

Big Easter Wins for Sloan & Cardwell At Tullyroan

Kells driver Carl Sloan and Ballinderry’s Jonny Cardwell were the big winners at Tullyroan Oval’s Easter Saturday meeting, as a big holiday crowd enjoyed some top quality international oval racing. Sloan was victorious in Round 8 of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI for National Hot Rods, whilst Cardwell took the honours in the inaugural Northern Ireland Open for Stock Rods.

As DMC Race Promotions marked their 20th anniversary, the other feature race wins fell to Antrim’s Leyton Hughes in the Junior Productions, Strabane’s James McKinney in the Lightning Rods and Garvagh’s William McFaul in the Rookie Bangers.

An excellent 23 car field of National Hot Rods arrived for the latest Simpson Race Exhausts World Series round, with Andy Stewart the early leader in heat one. Derek Martin was on a charge though, the Dungannon based NI Champion blasting around the outside to take the win in some style over Glenn Bell and Shane Murray.
Heat two saw a win for Portadown stalwart Gary Woolsey, who inherited the chequered flag when on the road winner Nigel McCauley was dropped two places for contact.
Carl Sloan had shown some promise during the heats, but come final time he stamped his authority all over proceedings. Carl wasted little time in hitting the front, and then stretched out a commanding lead during the 35-lap showdown. As Carl cruised to the chequered flag and a welcome win, Cork’s Jeff Riordan came out on top of a great places scrap to grab second, ahead of Martin, Murray and McCauley.

Visitors from both Scotland and the Republic of Ireland joined the locals for the Stock Rods Northern Ireland Open, with former World Champion Stevie McNiece taking the opening heat win from pole position from Mark Crawford and his brother Colin McNiece.
Adam Sloan got the jump in heat two to take up the running, and he went on to take a clear win. Impressive Scottish visitor James Robertson took runner up slot ahead of Jonny Cardwell and another Scot, Gary Dean.
Aggregate points saw Cardwell and Crawford share a star studded front end of the grid for the inaugural Northern Ireland Open, and it was Cardwell who quickly established himself out front. Stevie McNiece chased hard in second, and even a mid-race caution period which closed to field together could threaten Jonny’s lead. Despite late pressure it was Cardwell who took the title win, with Stevie McNiece, Sam McNeice, Crawford and Siobhan Martin the premier placed drivers.

Harry Minish led much of the way in the opening Junior Productions heat, only to trip over a backmarker whilst within sight of the flag. That allowed Dylan Fegan to take the win over Leyton Hughes and Callum Doak. Hughes then went one better in heat two to take the win, with Fegan this time the runner up ahead of Minish.

The final boiled down to a tough battle between Hughes and Daniel Stewart, with the lead swapped on a number of occasions. Stewart picked up a couple of warnings from Race Control, and even though he was first past the flag he was docked 2 places for a misdemeanour along the way. That handed the win to Hughes ahead of Minish and Stewart.

Three welcome visitors from Tipperary raceway bolstered the Lightning Rods field, but the whole evening was all about James McKinney. The Strabane man took the opening heat win by a clear margin ahead of Mark Corry and Stuart Agnew, before repeating the feat in heat two to win from Ricky Shaw and Nigel Jackson.
An upgrade for the feature race final didn’t deter McKinney, and he again romped clear to win. Corry and World Champion Shaw were right in contention in this one, but had to settle for second in third behind hat-trick hero McKinney.

Whilst down on the usual high entry, the Rookie Bangers still entertained the Easter Holiday fans. William McFaul raced home to win the opening heat ahead of Josh Goligher, before Goligher got the nod in the second heat by the slightest of margins after a last bend lunge by runner up Marc Morrell.
McFaul was able to break free once again in the final, and he took his second win of the night over Stephen Boyd and Lucas Goligher.

Martin Victorious As New Season Begins at Tullyroan

The 2023 race season kicked off at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday evening, April 1st, with the drivers coping admirably in very difficult conditions. Dungannon driver Derek Martin took victory in the headline event, Round 7 of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI for National Hot Rods, whilst Antrim Conor Hughes scored a faultless hat-trick of wins in the 2.0 Hot Rods. Other feature race wins fell to Cullybackey's Curtis Greer in the Superstox, debutant Andrew Russell in the Junior Productions and Jack Murphy in the Ninja Karts.

Kenny McCann was the star turn in the National Hot Rods heats, holding off a big field to take his first ever win in the opener over Philip McCloy and Terence McConologue. Kenny then repeated the trick in heat two for his second win of the night, with Derek Martin and returnee Mark Heatrick the placemen.
The final over the longer distance gave the star drivers a better chance of getting on terms with the flying McCann, and it was Martin who hit the front in what were the worst conditions of the night. In the second half of the showdown he had Glenn Bell for company, but Derek, the reigning World Series NI champion, had enough in his locker to hold on for the win. Bell, Keith Martin, Shane Murray and John Christie were next home.

Conor Hughes made good use of his drop to the blue grade by taking the first 2.0 Hot Rods win of the night, relegating early leader Sam Percy to take the flag ahead of Percy and Adam Weir. Conor then easily took heat two as well, this time by some distance over Ally Neill and Ryan McCrory.
The automatic upgrade back to the star grade didn't deter Hughes in the final, Conor making short work of the extra handicap to once again give a masterclass of wet track driving and complete his hat-trick. Weir, Jordan Rochford and Scott Cochrane completed the top finishers.

Another healthy field of Superstox took to the circuit, with the bumpers going in hard right from the off in heat one. Ed Davis was the man to watch as he relegated early leader Nathan Beattie to win over Curtis Greer and World Champion Kyle Beattie. Davis was again the winner in heat two, relegating Troy Crawford to take the win over Jordan Robinson and Steven Haugh.
Davis was promoted back to the red grade for the final, with an early caution period closing the field and bringing the big names into play. David Beattie and Greer had a great battle for the lead, with Greer managing to break clear and record the victory over D Beattie, Craig McConnell and Robinson.

Once again we had some newcomers in the Junior Productions, which is always great to see. Donegal lad Andrew Russell held off the advances of Robbie Dallas and Leyton Hughes to win the opening heat, before Jake Devlin took the second heat ahead of Brandon Litter and Lacey Bevan. Russell then stamped his authority all over the final, edging past Harry Minish to take up the lead and he then powered home to complete his double for the night, and with it the automatic upgrade for the next meeting.

A very busy novice grade in the Ninja Karts bodes well for the season ahead, and it was one of them, Jake Barnett, who raced home to win the opening heat ahead of Keegan Turtle. Turtle went one better in heat two, taking the win over Jack Morrison and Charlie Johnston. The final had a fantastic ending, with Jack Murphy just holding on for the win after a great drive ahead of Turtle and Morrison in a blanket finish.

2023 Race Dates at DMC Race Promotions

The 2023 Race Dates at DMC Race Promotions are now available to view, using the 'Fixtures' tab in the Menu Bar above.

We look forward to seeing everyone during the 2023 season!

Ninja Kart Engine Rules

With the problems which have been going on in the past 12-18 months with Ninja Kart engines that with most of the time when checked we are finding things wrong, I believe it is time we change the engine supplier and the way it is all dealt with.

From now on, nobody will buy their engine from the authorised engine builder. These will all be brought through Spedeworth and no there is no profit being put on top of the price. Then there will be no more rumours of certain people getting certain engines.

The engines are going to be double sealed with one seal being the engine builders and the second being a Spedeworth seal.

You can carry on running your RPM engine for the 2023 season but you are fully responsible for the engine.

If you wish to have your engine sent back to us to be fully checked and re-sealed you can do this but remember I will not be going every week and will wait until I have 4 or 5 engines to take. There will be a cost of £200 for this.

We do understand some people have just purchased new engines. These must be registered with Allan Rouse within the next five working days from Thursday 5th January. After this time, you will not be allowed to use them and I am looking into a way of an engine swap rule where you keep the engine but this is not 100% organised yet. Any old engines must have the original engine number with the original seal number already registered with Allan Rouse.

If anyone has any questions please contact myself on 07836 226682 and not pester Allan Rouse only for registering.

Thank you and I look forward to seeing you all through the coming season.

Deane Wood
Spedeworth Motorsports

2023 Kicks Off In Style at Tullyroan Oval

The bumper New Year Bank Holiday crowd at Tullyroan Oval on Monday January 2nd were treated to some fantastic race action from all five formulas on show. Dublin’s Jonathan Compelli raced to the Van-dalism title in the outstanding Big Van Bangers, whilst the Limavady-based Goligher family locked out the top three spots in the Rookie Bangers New Year Challenge, with Lucas taking the win.
In the other feature races, girl racer Lauren Berry from Kilmore pulled off a superb final win in the Junior Productions, Cullybackey’s Curtis Greer won the Superstox silverware whilst World Champion Jordan Rochford Portadown took a fine, last-gasp win in the 2.0 Hot Rods.

One of the best fields of Big Van Bangers for many years took to the grid for the Van-dalism title, with World Banger Champion Stevo McGrath’s huge van taking a big shot from Mike Flaherty which rolled it right onto its side! Jonathan Compelli held the early lead, only to lose out to a flying Matthew McKinstry. Compelli came back strong however, spinning McKinstry out of contention to take a superb win amidst the carnage. Tony Gillespie and Leonard Dunn completed the top three.
Compelli then took another win in the Allcomers race, with more great entertainment served up by the drivers. The Destruction Derby was outstanding, with some great hits being dished out. It boiled down to Gillespie and McGrath, with McGrath taking the win after totally obliterating Gillespie’s minibus. Tony had the consolation of the Best Wreck Award, with McGrath also taking Entertainer of the Day.

A 30+ field of Rookie Bangers treated the fans to some spectacular racing, with Gavin Gamble the long time leader in the opening heat before Stephen Boyd stole past late on to take the flag ahead of Lucas Goligher. The star man in heat two was Josh Goligher, as he overhauled early leader Ryan Nixon to take the flag. Unfortunately though, Josh was demoted to fourth by the Stewards for a restart violation, which handed victory to Marc Morrell over John Goligher.
Boyd led the action packed final until he hit trouble and retired, which briefly handed the lead to Morrell. Lucas Goligher soon stormed past to the lead, and he held on to take the chequered flag ahead of his brother Josh, with their father John making it a family clean sweep in third.

Harry Minish was the latest recruit to join the ever growing Junior Productions field, and he and fellow novice Robbie Dallas gave a great account of themselves on the slippery track. Leyton Hughes crossed the line first in the opening heat after a late pass on Dylan Fegan, but Leyton was adjudged to have jumped the start which saw him handed a penalty which gave Jake Devlin the win. Minish and Dallas contested the lead for much of heat two, before Hughes made amends for earlier by powering past to the win on the last lap ahead of British & Irish Champion Jack Morrow.
The final saw Dallas lead Minish for much of the distance on what was a very slippery track indeed. The driver to watch though was Lauren Berry, who arrived with the lead bunch with just five laps to run. Lauren quickly hit the wide outside line, edging past the top three with an outstanding drive that many an adult would have been proud of. She powered home to take the chequered flag and the silverware after the stand out performance of the afternoon. Dallas impressed in second ahead of Litter and Minish.

The Superstox again fielded a very good grid of twenty cars, with Nathan Beattie setting the heat one pace before he was overhauled by NI Points Champion Craig McConnell who took the win in emphatic style, ahead of Alan Haugh and Beattie. Heat two saw McConnell repeat the feat with another fantastic drive, this time heading home Curtis Greer and World Champion Kyle Beattie.
The final again saw Nathan Beattie pulling clear early on, but he had Greer bearing down on him and Curtis slipped ahead with just five laps to run. Despite the best efforts of Graham Fegan and Kyle Beattie to get on terms in the closing stages, Greer had everything under control and he took the chequered flag and the silverware.

Tipperary racer John Kennedy was a welcome addition to the 2.0 Hot Rods field, where he was joined by newcomer Davie Black. Teenager Sam Percy led much of the distance in the opener before Adam Heatrick christened his new mount with a maiden win, having slipped ahead in the closing stages. Percy made no mistake in heat two, leading from flag to flag ahead of Adam Weir for a creditable victory.
The final turned out to be a nail biter, with Percy leading once again but with the star men right on his tail with just a couple of tours left. Ryan McCrory found what looked like a race winning gap down the inside, only for Percy to fight back hard which led to the pair of them clashing. Jordan Rochford quickly capitalised, as World Champions do, powering around the outside of the drama to snatch the win over Weir and Ally Neill.

McMillan Dominates With Aghadowey Treble

Kells driver Derek McMillan was the man on form at Aghadowey on Holiday Tuesday, taking a faultless hat-trick in the headlining National Hot Rods division. Young Jack Jones from Hampshire took a hotly contested Stars of Tomorrow Challenge for Ninja Karts, whilst the other feature race winners were Co Meath’s Shane O’Connor (Stock Rods), Portadown’s Nigel Jackson (Lightning Rods) and fellow Portadown man Rab Preston in the Thunder Rods. A fantastic Caravan Destruction Derby completed the festive meeting, with Ballymoney’s Ian Bolton taking the honours.

A healthy field of National Hot Rods arrived to contest Round 6 of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI. Former Stock Rods multi-champion Derek McMillan has steadily been improving over the past year since his graduation to the premier class, and he set down a marker with victory in the opening heat of the day ahead of Glenn Bell and Adam Maxwell, after John Christie was docked from second to fourth for contact.
Heat two saw McMillan again making good use of the grading system to hit the front early on, and he took the chequers for the second time with Christie and Derek Martin the chasers in this one. That third spot was enough to seal victory for Martin in the Cirrus Plastic DMC Points Championship for 2022.
The final was always going to be much tougher for McMillan with the longer race distance, but he again hit the front before the half distance mark. This time though Martin, Christie and Gary Woolsey were bearing down on him hard. Martin hit trouble and went out, with Christie and Woolsey soon challenging for the lead. Despite the very tricky track conditions, McMillan kept his nerve to hold them all at bay to seal an emphatic and well-deserved hat-trick, with Christie, Woolsey, Adam Maxwell and Ben McKee filling the places after an excellent afternoon’s racing.

Visitors from England and Scotland joined the local youngsters in the Ninja Karts for the Stars of Tomorrow Challenge. Local girl racer Kori Curran impressed in her new kart as she built up a healthy lead in the first heat only to spin out of contention late on. That handed the win to Hampshire’s Jack Jones ahead of fellow English driver Mason Carberry.
Keegan Turtle then restored local pride as the Cullybackey lad won heat two by the slenderest of margins from Jones and Carberry. The final was lined up in points order from the heats and produced an absolutely fantastic race. The battle for the top places was immense throughout, with Jones just taking the honours ahead of Carberry, with Turtle snatching third from Charlie Weston and Saxon Thompson right at the line.

Welcome Republic of Ireland visitor Ronan O’Brien took first blood in the Stock Rods formula, taking the opening heat win ahead of Samuel Wilson and Dan Shannon. Ronan led once again in heat two, only for Joe Largey to power past at half-way to record the win over Stevie McNiece and Sam McNeice.
O’Brien once again set the pace in the final, and his long trip from Tipperary looked like it would pay off until he unfortunately retired with electrical troubles with just three laps to go. That handed the lead and the win to teenager Shane O’Connor, with Adam Sloan, Shannon and McNiece filling the places.

Before the opening heat the Lightning Rod drivers and the fans paid tribute to their former European Champion Mervyn Emerson from Antrim, who tragically passed away at a very young age recently. Once racing commenced it was James McKinney who took the opening heat win ahead of Nigel Jackson and Vince Litter. Jackson then took victory in the second heat ahead of Dean Catherwood and McKinney, before Nigel repeated the feat in the final to complete his double for the afternoon. First across the line Stuart Agnew was docked two places to third by the Stewards for contact, elevating Jackson and Catherwood to the top two places.

The racing from the budget Thunder Rods formula was close and competitive as always, with Adam McKinney just holding on to win the opener in a blanket finish with Rab Preston and Adam Graham. Heat two saw Tom Archibald take the honours with a fine driver over McKinney and Preston.
The final saw Archibald again setting the pace, but coming under some severe pressure from behind. There was heartbreak for him with less than three laps to go as he ground to a halt on the back straight, his chances gone! Preston duly accepted the lead and the win, with Graham, Irish Champion Jason Darragh, Lee McCloy and Marc Morrell next over the line.

The Caravan Destruction Derby rounded off proceedings in front of the Bank Holiday crowd, with carnage around the raceway early on. Ballymoney’s Ian Bolton came through to take the win, although he did finish the event inside a caravan as he tried one last glory hit to take the trophy!

Sad News - Mervyn Emerson

Everyone at DMC Race Promotions were shocked to learn of the sudden passing of our 2.0 Hot Rods driver Mervyn Emerson.

Mervyn was one of the most popular drivers around the local raceways, enjoying his racing with us initially in the Lightning Rods formula and more recently in the 2.0 Hot Rods. Mervyn was always one to let his driving do the talking, and he represented DMC both at home and right across the British Isles in the perfect manner for many years.

He was delighted to take a podium place in the final of the Hoosier Challenge Series towards the end of the 2022 season, but his finest hour came back in 2011 when he won the Lightning Rods European Championship in Birmingham.

To his partner Rachel and family, his parents Billy and Eileen, brother Stephen and the wider family circle, everyone at DMC Race Promotions would like to offer our sincere condolences at this sad time.

Shannon & Darragh Take Irish Titles at Aghadowey Season Finale

The curtain came down on the 2022 race season at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday evening, with the fans treated to some great racing as two new Irish Champions were crowned. Glenavy’s Dan Shannon took the Stock Rods Irish title whilst Rasharkin’s Jason Darragh was the winner of the Thunder Rods version.
Rathfriland’s Ivan Elliott took the King of Aghadowey title in the 1300 Stock Cars, with Cullybackey’s Curtis Greer (Superstox) and Portadown’s Nigel Jackson (Lightning Rods) the other feature race winners.

Dan Shannon and defending Irish Champion Jonny Cardwell shared the front row for the Stock Rods Irish title showdown, and as the race settled down it was Shannon who led ahead of former World Champion Stevie McNiece and European, British and National Champion Mark Crawford. Lap after lap they circulated with nothing between them, and at one stage we had a twelve car pack fighting for the lead! Crawford clawed his way past McNiece for second, but he couldn’t unseat Shannon from the top spot as Dan came home to claim the Irish Championship to complete a fantastic season. Crawford, Cardwell, Joe Largey and Sam McNeice completed the top places.
The reversed grid Irish Revenge race saw a win for Ballymena’s Steven McKane over Sam McNeice and Largey.

The Thunder Rods Irish Championship always had the makings of a classic, with Chris Baird and Matthew Nicholl sharing the front row. From row two, Jason Darragh capitalised when Baird left the slightest of gaps into turn one early on to take up the running, but with Rab Preston and Nicholl challenging. Darragh used every ounce of his experience to hold the rest at bay to take the biggest win of his career, with Preston a gallant runner up. A great late battle for third fell to James Goldie over Daniel Rodgers and Clifford Gordon.
The reverse grid Irish Revenge support race went the way of the returning Mark McLaughlin, with Goldie coming through for second ahead of Adam McKinney and Preston.

The all-action 1300 Stock Cars entertained all evening, with bumpers and places exchanged throughout each and every race. Jonny Patterson was the star turn in the heats, taking the opener ahead of Fionn Donnelly and David Wilson, before repeating the feat in heat two with Donnelly again second and Ivan Elliott this time in third.
Patterson broke clear out front again in the King of Aghadowey Final, before faltering which handed the lead to Gareth Halliday. Halliday was well clear by the time Elliott appeared in second, with Ivan chipping into his advantage on each lap. It was nail biting stuff as the laps counted down, and into the Brown Trout Bend for the final time Elliott launched an attack from way back which sent Halliday wide to the wall. That allowed Elliott to steal through for a fantastic win, with Halliday having to make do with second ahead of James Crossett and Thomas McCrory.

The Superstox were lightning fast all evening, with Curtis Greer making short work of those ahead of him to take the opening heat from Craig McConnell and Jordan Robinson. McConnell went one better in heat two, the NI Points Champion taking the chequered flag ahead of Greer and World Champion Kyle Beattie.
Greer once again had the bit between his teeth right from the off in the final, quickly slicing through to the front to go on and complete his double for the night in some style. Irish Champion Steven Haugh, McConnell and Beattie completed the top four.

James McKinney took the opening heat win from a depleted field of Lightning Rods, before British and Irish Champion Stuart Agnew sealed victory in heat two.
The final saw Nigel Jackson get ahead early on, and he took a clear win over Dean Catherwood for a BMW top two. Mark Corry was third ahead of Agnew.

Spectacular Climax To Tullyroan Oval Season

The 2022 Tullyroan Oval racing season finished in style on Saturday evening with a full programme of championship events. Dublin’s Stevo McGrath successfully retained his Unlimited National Bangers Irish Championship, whilst Magheralin’s Stuart Agnew added the Lightning Rods Irish title to the British crown he won earlier in the summer.
In the popular National Hot Rods, Dungannon’s Derek Martin won Round 5 of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI and Portadown’s Adam Hylands took the Ulster Championship victory. Young Jack Jones from Surrey won the Ninja Karts Champion of Champion and Portaodwn’s Jack Morrison took the Individual Achievement Award. The 2.0 Hot Rods final fell to Portadown’s Scott Cochrane.

Before racing commenced, recently crowned Unlimited National Bangers World Champion Stevo McGrath was paraded to his home crowd and he also received a presentation from DMC Race Promotions promoter Davy McCall. Stevo had qualified on pole position for the Irish Championship, and he pulled clear from the start whilst the rest went into self destruction mode! Some of the action was incredible as cars were left littering the track, but McGrath was clear and took the win over Mike Flaherty and Leonard Dunn.
Ballymoney’s Steven Bolton took victory in both Allcomers events, before a huge hit from England’s Curtis Rathbone saw him win the Stephen Bannon Memorial Destruction Derby, even though he did end up on his roof in the crunching finale!

Some rapid National Hot Rod racing under the floodlights was the order of the day, with Johnny McCloy and Thomas Dilly sharing the heat wins. Derek Martin had been making good use of his drop to the blue grade all evening with some good finishes, and over the extra laps of the final he was able to take a fantastic win ahead of McCloy after a great outside pass for the lead. Dilly drove a great defensive race to land third ahead of Shane Murray and Adam Maxwell.
The Ulster Championship race completed the night, using the chose cone challenge rule at 5 laps to go. Adam Hylands had gained pole position thanks to having set the fastest lap time of the night, and he took the title despite having Carl Sloan right alongside him for the final restart. John Christie came home as runner up ahead of Murray and Sloan.

From pole position Stuart Agnew stamped his authority all over the Lightning Rods Irish Championship, the Magheralin man taking the victory in style. Ricky Shaw, James McKinney and Nigel Jackson had a close battle for second but finished in that order.
The reversed grid Irish Revenge race saw a welcome and deserved win for Vince Litter ahead of Jackson and Shaw.

A whole host of mainland UK visitors were amongst an excellent entry of Ninja Karts. The first race of the day was for the local drivers who had not won a race so far in 2022, and it was Jack Morrison who powered clear to win the Individual Achievement Award, with all the drivers getting awards and goodies from the sponsors Midway Autopoint.
The opening heat then saw a great win for England’s Jack Jones over fellow English driver Mason Carberry and Belfast’s Caolan Fegan. The second heat was a Hunn benefit, with Essex based Henry Hunn taking the win over his brother William.
The Champion of Champions Final, sponsored by Hollytree Farm, was a superb race, with little to choose between the front runners throughout. Carberry, Charlie Weston, Jones and Riley Dawson-Stirling battled hard for the full distance, with Jones making the decisive moves to take the win in some style over Carberry and Weston for an all England top three.

A big grid of 2.0 Hot Rods completed the line up, with both heats falling to a rapid Adam Heatrick. In the final 16-year-old Sam Percy, a recent graduate from our Junior Productions, impressed as he led for some distance only to spin just as Michael Woods was putting him under pressure for the top spot with only a few laps to run. With Woods also delayed, that gave Scott Cochrane the chance to launch a challenge for the le ad which gained him the win over Jordan Rochford and Drew McKeown.