Successful Defence For Hughes & Murfin Wins Sensational Irish Title

Antrim’s Leyton Hughes and England’s Boden Murfin were the big winners at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday night, when the young drivers took centre stage. Hughes was victorious in the Junior Productions Irish Open Championship, whilst a sensational National Ministox Irish Championship fell the way of Mufin after a titanic struggle.
Other feature race wins on the evening fell to Bleary’s Drew McKeown (2.0 Hot Rods), Larne’s Samuel Wilson (Stock Rods) and Portglenone’s Clifford Gordon (Thunder Rods).

A very healthy field of almost 30 Junior Productions, including a number of Scottish visitors, arrived for their Irish Open Championship. Callum Doak was first across the line in an incident-strewn opening heat, but in the final analysis he was excluded from the result for his part in a race stoppage. That handed victory to defending champion Leyton Hughes over Harry Minish.
Jake Devlin overcame early leader Andrew Hawe to win the second heat, with Minish again showing his consistency in second. Heat three went to Matthew Weir after he slipped past early pacesetter Dylan Fegan who had to be content with second.
The tension was at fever pitch before the Irish Open Final, with Hughes getting the jump on Minish at the start to move ahead. Hughes again settled into the lead after a mid-race caution period, and despite the best efforts of Minish it was Hughes who raced home to successfully defend his Irish Open Championship title. Minish, Daniel Stewart and Devlin completed the top four.

The stunning National Ministox arrived from England for their annual visit, and they once again thrilled the local fans with some outstanding racing. There was a great battle out front in the opening heat, before Luke Syrett-Barsby broke clear to take the victory over Kasey Jones.
That same lead pairing again fought out the win in the second heat, with this time Jones coming back hard to take the chequered flag ahead of Syrett-Barsby. Heat three saw Syrett-Barsby again in victory lane, after he demoted early pacesetter Ollie Armstrong.

The Irish Championship final saw the superb cars look very impressive under the floodlights. What followed was a simply sensational event, with a three way dice for much of the distance between Syrett-Barsby, Jones and Boden Murfin. They swapped the lead lap after lap, and sometime twice and three times a lap as they entertained the crowds. The sparks were flying as they thundered off the wall bend after bend, but it was Murfin who snatched the win in tremendous fashion, just ahead of Syrett-Barsby and Jones.

The 2.0 Hot Rods saw a debut for the new Allen Cherry Vauxhall, alongside a return for veteran campaigner Davy Potter. Dean McFarland took a clear win in the opening heat ahead of Scotland’s Frankie Cunningham, before Adam Best came home to the flag in a superb heat two ahead of Adam Heatrick and Denver Grattan. The NI Points Championship title was also up for decision, but unfortunately a retirement in this one for Drew McKeown meant the title went the way of defending champ Jordan Rochford.
McKeown was out to make amends in the final though, surging through the field to take the win in emphatic style ahead of McFarland and Rochford.

An incident packed opening Stock Rod race went to Stevie McNiece, after on-the-road winner Declan O’Connor was excluded for an incident early in the race that led to the demise of Joe Largey. Victor McAfee and Jonny Cardwell filled the top three. Heat two saw a fine win for Mark Overend, the Portadown driver staving off a hardy challenge from stalwart McAfee, with Victor having to settle for his second runner up spot of the evening.
Samuel Wilson quickly worked his way ahead in the final, holding off the pack before they were brought up short by an engine failure in the pack which coated the track in oil. At the resumption Wilson managed to hold them all off right to the flag, taking a very welcome and deserved win over Sam McNeice and Stevie McNiece.

Completing the programme were the competitive Thunder Rods division, with Adam Graham taking the opener over Clifford Gordon and Sam Preston. Heat two then saw a great outside line drive from long-time campaigner Graham Young to net the win, over Graham and Curtis Greer.
The final saw Gordon relegate Chris McNeill early on to hit the front, and Clifford even survived a mid race stoppage to hold on out front all the way to the chequered flag. It was just reward for all his hard work to repair his car after a big crash at the previous meeting. Graham, David Wilson and McNeill completed the top places.

Added 30/05/23

Maxwell To The Fore At Tullyroan Oval

The conditions turned very wet during the second half of Saturday evening’s race meeting at Tullyroan Oval, with Crumlin’s Adam Maxwell turning on the style to win the feature race for the elite National Hot Rod. Aughnacloy’s World Champion Kyle Beattie won the Superstox Tullyroan Challenge Cup after another storming drive, with the other feature race winners being Armagh’s Mark Foster in the Stock Rods, Magheralin’s Stuart Agnew in the Lightning Rods and Monaghan’s Phillip Farrell in the Micro Bangers.

The opening heat for the National Hot Rods saw a deserved win for veteran Keith Martin, the former World Champion holding off Thomas Dilly and Mark Heatrick at the flag. In the damp in heat two, Philip McCloy celebrated a welcome win, just a week before his wedding. Martin and Derek McMillan filled the places.
The track was awash come final time, Round 13 of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI. Heat winners Martin and McCloy squabbled over the lead early on, but neither had any resistance to offer to the flying Adam Maxwell. Adam’s pace in the wet was on another level to the rest, and he raced home to a very well deserved final win after a dominant drive. John Christie, Derek McMillan and Glenn Bell were next home, but all some way behind the winner.

The Superstox produced fantastic entertainment all evening, with novice grader Gerard Hartley hanging on for the opening heat win over Conor Murphy and Craig McConnell. Heat two fell to an impressive David McMenemy ahead of Steven Haugh, with Curtis Greer snatching third after a fantastic four way scrap.
The Tullyroan Challenge Cup final was the race of the night by some distance, with Haugh, Jordan Robinson, Kyle Beattie and McConnell trading blows and places throughout. In the wet conditions this was good, old-fashioned Stock Car racing with no quarter given, and certainly none expected! When the others tripped over a backmarker and lost time, Beattie was able to break clear to take the win and the trophy in emphatic style - all after starting the final at the back of the grid after not finishing either heat. Second went to McConnell ahead of Robinson and Haugh.
Mark Foster stamped his authority all over the opening Stock Rods heat, winning by a distance over Dan Shannon and Declan O’Connor after Mark Crawford was demoted from second for contact. Mark Overend then took a rare but very welcome win in heat two, as he drove an excellent race to hold off a whole posse of chasers. Foster and Stevie McNiece filled the places at the chequers.
Foster hit the front on lap four of the final, and he would never be headed as he stormed home to complete his double for the evening and earn a grading rise for the next meeting. Sam McNeice, Samuel Wilson and Crawford filled the premier positions at the flag.

The Lightning Rods opening heat saw another welcome win for Gerry Rogers, who had only tasted victory for the first ever time at the last meeting! James McKinney chased him home in that one, before James went on to record the victory in heat two over Rogers and World Champion Ricky Shaw. Nigel Jackson had edged ahead in this one, only to be sidelined with a gearbox fault.
Recent newcomer Ian Hobson impressed out front early in the final before Mark McCambridge powered clear. But British and Irish Champion Stuart Agnew was on a mission, Stuart sliding ahead with just three laps to go to claim the win. McCambridge, McKinney and Shaw rounded out the places.

A smaller than expected entry of Micro Bangers still put on a show, with Monaghan’s Phillip Farrell surging clear to win a tame ‘Micro Madness’ final ahead of Jay Gurney and Aaron Clarke. Gurney then went on to win the first Allcomers over Jonny Murdock, before that same duo claimed similar places in Allcomers 2.
The Destruction Derby completed the night, with Murdock getting the win after a great battle with Gurney and Josh Anderson. Murdock also claimed the Entertainer of the Day award whilst Gurney claimed Best Wreck.
Photos by John Wolsey

Added 22/05/23

Practice Night - Aghadowey Oval Friday 26th May

There will be a practice night at Aghadowey Oval on Friday 26th May from 6pm-9pm.

All formulas are welcome.

Cost per car is £40.

Spectators are welcome to attend free of charge.

Added 18/05/23

Big Wins For Martin and McNiece at Aghadowey

The annual pre-NW200 oval racing meeting at Aghadowey Oval took place on Friday night May 12th, with some great racing across all four formulas on show. Dungannon’s Derek Martin scooped the National Hot Rods final, with Enniskillen’s Stevie McNiece successfully defending his King of Aghadowey title in the Stock Rods. Kilrea’s Zack McCombe was the winner in the exciting Thunder Rods, whilst there was a first ever final win in the Junior Productions for Portadown’s Brandon Litter.

Local Aghadowey racer Richard Stewart was the star man in the National Hot Rod heats, taking the opener in style ahead of Philip McCloy and Gary Woolsey. Heat two saw Richard again take the chequered flag, this time ahead of Andrew Stewart with Nigel McCauley getting the best of a great scrap for third.
Richard Stewart again led the final early on, the twelfth round of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI. He wasn’t getting everything his own way this time though, as McCloy, Thomas Dilly, Derek Martin and Shane Murray joined in for a great 5-car dice for the lead. Stewart thwarted the efforts of McCloy and Dilly, but it was Martin who swooped around the outside to take the win ahead of Murray, Dilly, Stewart and McCloy.

Defending King of Aghadowey Stevie McNiece got his night off to the best possible start by taking the heat one win over Dan Shannon and Victor McAfee, before controversy and drama clouded heat two. Samuel Wilson was spun out early on with Mark Crawford collecting his stricken car. Mark Foster raced home to the win, but after video evidence was viewed he was deemed the cause of Wilson’s spin and was disqualified. That handed the win to Kells driver Adam Sloan over Sam McNeice and Stevie McNiece.
Stevie McNiece led Irish Champion Shannon and Sam McNeice early in the final, before a huge engine blow up and fire on Sloan’s car brought proceedings to a halt. At the resumption there was no stopping Stevie on his march to the title, as he duly took the win over Sam McNeice who managed to slip past Shannon late on for second.
Another excellent entry of teenage Junior Productions stars saw a first ever win in the opening heat for Lacy Bevan, who raced home ahead of Ryan Berry and Daniel Stewart after a great race. Heat two saw Stewart take the win this time with a commanding drive. Harry Minish and Berry finished second and third on the road, but were demoted for incidents during the race. That elevated Matthew Weir and Joshua Murray to the podium places.
Brandon Litter was first to show in the final, but he had Robbie Dallas chasing him down. Just as Robbie was about to mount a challenge for the lead he was unfortunately baulked by a backmarker, with the breathing space allowing Litter to calmly bring it home for his first ever feature race win after a great drive. Dallas, Minish and Berry filled the top places at the end of a fine night of action from the stars of the future.

Once again the Thunder Rods entry topped 20 cars, with Clifford Gordon taking a flag to flag win in the first heat over Zack McCombe and Tom Archibald. Heat two saw Graham Young ahead until the half way mark, before McCombe took over to win despite the close attentions of Andrew McLean.
The final was marred by a huge early crash which eliminated a number of the front runners and left Gordon, McLean and Josh Goligher amongst others with heavy damage. On the restart McCombe quickly hit the front, and he was never headed as he completed his double for the night to earn and upgrade for the next meeting. Curtis Greer, Daniel Rodgers, Adam Graham and Young were the next drivers home.

Added 14/05/23

Tullyroan Challenge Cup Wins for Hughes & Jones

Antrim driver Conor Hughes and Hampshire youngster Jack Jones were both Tullyroan Challenge Cup winners at Sunday’s Tullyroan Oval race meeting, in the 2,0 Hot Rods and Ninja Karts respectively. Other feature race wins at the Coronation weekend meeting were Aghalee’s Chris Hamill (1300 Stock Cars), Birches driver Steven Haugh (Superstox) and Portadown star (Lightning Rods).

Denver Grattan was victorious in the opening qualifying heat of the 2.0 Hot Rods, the Banbridge driver showing excellent pace to lead home Conor Hughes and Ryan McCrory. With the grid reversed for heat two, it was World Champion Jordan Rochford who took the win, but only after first over the line Allen Cherry was docked 2 places for an over robust defence of his lead spot.
Consistency across the heats saw Drew McKeown and Hughes share the front row for the Tullyroan Challenge Cup final, and it was Hughes who got the jump when the green flag dropped. As Conor controlled the race to take a clear win, Grattan nipped past McKeown to take the runner up spot ahead of McKeown, Adam Best and Rochford.

A number of visiting Ninja Kart drivers joined the locals for their Tullyoan Challenge Cup, with Jaxon Cairns and Kori Curran having spells at the head of heat one. England’s Jack Jones surged into the lead late on to take the win over Curran and Keegan Turtle. There was late drama in heat two, with another English driver, Mason Carberry, taking the victory over Curran and Scotland’s Katie-Lee Smart.
The final turned out to be a cracker, with the destination of the trophy boiling down to a frantic last lap between a whole host of the top runners. As they came to the final bend they were confronted with a recovering backmarker. Some went inside, some outside, and there was a superb drag race to the line. Hampshire lad Jones just got the verdict by 0.06 of a second, ahead of Carberry, Riley Dawson-Stirling and Charlie Weston at the end of a superb day of racing from the primary school kids.
Some of the best racing of the day came from the all-action 1300 Stock Cars, with Michael Logan taking his aged Toyota Starlet to the heat one win ahead of Ryan Stewart and Chris Hamill. In heat two Hamill blew an engine late on, coating the track in oil and causing a multiple car shunt which saw Fionn Donnelly rolling onto his roof. At the resumption, Stewart took the win over Irish Champion Jonathan Brown and Josh McKinstry.
The final saw Hamill make the grid after a frantic engine change from his team. An action packed affair saw the bumpers being put to good use, and sensationally it was Hamill who made all the hard work worthwhile by charging through to take the victory and the silverware. Ivan Elliott and Matthew Milliken filled the podium places.

Top Scottish ace Dean Johnston joined the local drivers on the Superstox grid, as Gerard Hartley led the opening heat before being demoted late on by Curtis Greer. Curtis unfortunately was later docked a number of places for starting in the wrong grid position, which handed the win to Craig McConnell over Hartley and World title holder Kyle Beattie. Heat two saw Dungannon’s David McMenemy take the win over Jordan Robinson and McConnell.
The final saw Conor Murphy build a healthy lead early on, but he soon had the leading star men hunting him down. First to show was Irish Champion Steven Haugh, who burst through to take the win in some style over Murphy, McConnell and Johnston.

Strabane’s James McKinney took the opening Lightning Rods heat ahead of Nigel Jackson and Mark McCambridge, before Gerry Rogers held on for the heat two win. A delighted Gerry enjoyed his lap of honour for what was his first ever win, having been a stalwart of the formula for many years.
Rogers again went ahead in the final, being challenged initially by McCambridge. Mark went ahead with Dean Catherwood in tow, before Jackson produced one of his expert outside line runs to surge alongside and past to the lead. Nigel rounded out the distance to take his fourth feature race win (including a European Championship triumph at Tipperary) in as many weeks. McCambridge and Mark Corry filled out the top three.

Completing the programme were a trio of demo runs from Anthony Morgan's Classic Hot Rod and the National Hot Rods of Derek McMillan and Sean Dynes.

Added 08/05/23

Dramatic Bank Holiday Racing at Aghadowey Oval!

A dramatic Bank Holiday Monday at Aghadowey Oval served up a great mix of fantastic racing and spectacular spills! Portadown star Glenn Bell won the feature event in the National Hot Rods, with Limavady's Stephen Goligher lifting the Rookie Bangers King of Aghadowey after an exciting final. Young Kilmore lad Ryan Berry took the honours in a fantastic Young Trophy for Junior Productions, with the other feature race wins falling to Glenavy's Joe Largey (Stock Rods) and Strabane's Adam McKinney (Thunder Rods).

Richard Stewart and Philip McCloy both had spells out front in the opening National Hot Rod heat, before Derek McMillan worked his way past both to take the win over Thomas Dilly and Shane Murray. The second heat saw a fantastic win for Richard Stewart, as he just held off McMillan, Dilly and Glenn Bell in a very close finish.
Stewart again led the final, Round 11 of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI, staving off the initial advances of McMillan on the outside line. As Derek dropped back, Murray took up the challenge and circulated side by side with Stewart for many laps. When the duo ran wide, and opportunistic Bell quickly filled the gap to nip past both and race home to the victory, with Derek Martin and Murray filling out the places.

The Rookie Bangers put on some excellent entertainment for the holiday crowd, with Garvagh's William McFaul the winner of the opening heat despite a last bend lunge from Josh Goligher. Stephen Boyd led heat two amongst numerous spins and skirmishes, only for Stephen Goligher to nip past on the last lap to take the win.
The King of Aghadowey final was another great race with action galore, with Stephen Goligher again taking the win over his nephew Lucas Goligher, with Marc Morrell taking third.
A record domestic entry of Junior Productions was bolstered by visiting Scots Baillie Glencross and Koddi Wright as they contested The Young Trophy, presented for many years now by the Young and Hosie families. Lexi Crooks took the opening heat win, holding off Ryan Berry at the finish ahead of Brandon Litter. Andrew Hawe led the opening laps of the second heat before Berry continued his good day at the office by slipping past to take the win over Callum Doak and Joshua Murray.
Berry led the way in The Young Trophy final, holding off the advances of the impressive Doak right from the off. There was then a lengthy stoppage after a horrendous crash between Crooks and Lauren Berry. Thankfully both were eventually able to walk from their cars, with Ryan Berry competing the distance to take the win in style over Doak. After a number of penalties were imposed Andrew Russell got third, with Lacey Bevan taking the best white/yellow grade finisher award.

The opening Stock Rod heat fell to Mark Foster, who took a clear win over a huge second place battle that went the way of Ethan Dilly over Victor McAfee. Liam Irwin and Dilly both had spells out front in heat two before Adam Sloan surged ahead for a clear win over Dilly and Declan O'Connor.
The final will long be remembered for a huge accident on the Brown Trout Bend, as Dilly clashed wheels with O'Connor and was sent vaulting headlong into the retaining wall. After a long delay while Ethan was carefully extricated from his car, Joe Largey went on to take the win over Sloan and Stevie McNiece.

The Thunder Rods started in spectacular style with Sam Watt rolling over early on in heat one. At the resumption of racing Gary Freeburn battled with Christopher McNeill and Simon McLaughlin, with McNeill taking the win. Heat two saw McLaughlin get his hands on the chequered flag after relegating Freeburn from the lead.
Freeburn again led the final, before Adam McKinney swept ahead to take the win and the silverware ahead of Jordan Nicholl and McLaughlin.

Photos by John Wolsey

Added 02/05/23

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

Added 02/05/23

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.

Added 17/04/23

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.

Added 11/04/23

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.

Added 11/04/23

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.

Added 04/04/23

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!

Added 31/01/2023