Keith Rolls Back The Years For Aghadowey Double

Thirty five years almost to the day since he won the 1987 British Championship, veteran National Hot Rod star Keith Martin showed he has lost none of his flair with a polished heat and final double at Aghadowey Oval on Friday evening. On a night of keenly contested events, there were King of Aghadowey victories for Stevie McNiece (Stock Rods) and Stuart Agnew (Lightning Rods) whilst Ballykelly’s Matthew Nicholl was another who raced to a heat and final double, this time in the Thunder Rods.

Round 12 of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI saw another healthy grid assemble, with Kenny McCann setting a great pace out front in the opening heat. Late on he came under some heavy pressure, with Simon Kennedy stealing past on the inside with just three laps to go to claim the win ahead of Ben McKee. Heat two saw Gareth Bevan the early pacesetter until he was relegated by Keith Martin, the Dungannon based former multi champion racing home to the win despite a fast closing Carl Sloan.
The final over 35 laps saw Martin quickly establish a handy advantage out front, with Kennedy and Podge McQuaid filling the top three places. Kennedy dropped back in the latter stages, with McQuaid then eating chunks out of Martin’s lead. The veteran had all under control though, and took his second final win of the season with McQuaid just holding off Ben McKee, Shane Murray and Derek Martin as they passed the chequers.

The Stock Rods, as always, served up some very close and tight racing, with Mark Foster managing to keep the rest at bay in the opening heat to take the victory over Stevie McNiece and Dan Shannon. Heat two was every bit as close, as recent form man Michael Rodgers held off the firm advances of Mark Crawford and Jonny Cardwell to take the chequered flag.
McNiece had gained pole position for the King of Agahdowey final courtesy of points scored during the heats, and he duly pulled clear in the feature race. As he romped home to the victory, Shannon just held off British Champion Cardwell for second, with Shane McMillan and Sam McNeice next home.

British Champion Ricky Shaw drew first blood in the Lightning Rods, taking the opening heat ahead of James McKinney before the second heat fell to Stuart Agnew over Dean Catherwood.
The King of Aghadowey final saw Agnew stretch clear to take the victory in style, the Magheralin man heading home McKinney and World Champion Nigel Jackson at the chequered flag.

Another well subscribed field of 22 Thunder Rods put on some dramatic racing, with former Junior Productions star Matthew Nichol taking a clear heat one win over Rab Preston in a race that saw a number of penalties and disqualifications as driving standards caught the eye of the Stewards. Heat two saw Clifford Gordon holding off Nicholl to take the win, with Zack McCombe in third.
The final again saw the lower graders dominate, as Nicholl pulled off a fantastic outside line pass on Gordon to take his second win of the evening. Gordon , Preston, McCombe and Lucas Goligher completed the premier places.

Christie's Outside Charge To Tullyroan Victory

Crowd favourite John Christie took a very popular victory in the National Hot Rods Final at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday night, the Ballinderry driver producing a masterclass on the outside line to claim the spoils. On a lovely spring night of superb racing, the 2.0 Hot Rods feature race fell to Antrim’s Conor Hughes, whilst Randalstown’s Sam Percy won the Junior Productions Golden Helmet Award. Annalong’s Martin O’Flaherty took the win in the Lightning Rods division whilst it was Co Meath’s Anthony Morgan who claimed the win in the Classic Hot Rods.

An excellent eighteen cars took the first green flag of the night as the National Hot Rods contested Round 11 of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI. Gareth Bevan was the first to show in the opening heat, but he soon lost out to Simon Kennedy who took the win ahead of Keith Martin and Nigel McCauley. Heat two saw McCauley this time take the chequered flag, finishing well clear of Derek Martin and Adam Hylands.
The final was the race of the night, with McCauley settling into the lead early on, but having any advantage he had wiped out by an early caution period for a turn four incident. At the resumption he was made to fight long and hard against the advances of Carl Sloan, as the Kells man spent lap after lap on the outside line but just couldn’t make the move stick. By now John Christie and Derek Martin were playing a watching brief right behind, and when offered the chance Christie quickly hit the outside and hauled his Lotus past McCauley for the lead. John came home to a tremendously popular win ahead of Derek Martin, McCauley and Adam Maxwell.

An excellent field of 2.0 Hot Rods produced their best meeting of the season so far, with close, competitive racing all evening. Having won the final at Aghadowey Oval on Bank Holiday Monday, Londonderry’s Dean McFarland continued his good form with a clear opening heat win over Michael Woods and Ryan McCrory. Broughshane’s David Kernohan broke free in the second heat to record the victory, with Denver Grattan putting a great outside line pass on McFarland to grab second place.
The final saw McFarland set the early pace and even open a gap to the pack, but McCrory and British Champion Conor Hughes were quickly onto his tail. McCrory made his move into turn three to take the lead and race on to the chequered flag. The Stewards however weren’t happy with his pass for the lead, and he subsequently attracted a two place penalty after an investigation. That handed victory to Hughes ahead of Grattan and the demoted McCrory.

The young stars in the Junior Productions were racing for the Golden Helmet Award, and the superb trophy presented annually by the McKeown family. Returnee Aaron Ward led the way in the opening heat before a fantastic outside line pass from Sam Percy late in the race grabbed him the win. Heat two saw Irish Champion Matthew Weir race clear for a decisive win, coming home ahead of Stewart Hanna and Percy.
On aggregate points it was the impressive Percy who gained pole position for the Golden Helmet final, and he made good his escape early on to build a comfortable lead. A great battle was raging for second between Hanna and Koddi Wright, with Ward and Daniel Stewart getting on terms too. As Percy ran out a very deserving winner after a fine drive, welcome Scottish visitor Wright impressed in second with Ward getting third in the final analysis after Hanna was docked two places to fifth for contact.

The Lightning Rods once again entertained with some great racing, with Mark McCambridge breaking clear to win the opening heat ahead of Dean Catherwood and James McKinney. Catherwood then went one better in heat two, taking the win in his pretty BMW over Martin O’Flaherty and McCambridge.
The final was right from the top drawer, with a huge four way battle for the lead at one stage between O’Flaherty, McCambridge, Catherwood and British Champion Ricky Shaw. O’Flaherty was able to break clear at just the right time to secure a deserved victory over Catherwood and Shaw.

A trio of races from the small entry of Classic Hot Rods saw Adrian McKinstry’s popular Morris Minor take both heat wins, before the rapid Anthony Morgan prevailed in the final ahead of McKinstry and Mark Monaghan.

McCann Storms to Superb Superstox Double at Aghadowey

The traditional Aghadowey Oval May Day Bank Holiday meeting served up some fantastic racing for the big crowd on hand, with all five formulas playing their part in the entertainment. The Superstox formula are booming a present and they stole the show with some great racing from a huge field of cars. Jamie McCann from Loughgall grabbed a heat and final double, with Londonderry’s Dean McFarland a delighted winner of the 2.0 Hot Rods final. Randalstown’s Michael Rodgers took a heat and final double in the Stock Rods, whilst Portadown’s Daniel Stewart (Junior Productions) and Garvagh’s Stephen Boyd (Rookie Bangers) both claimed King of Aghadowey title wins.

The Superstox were simply sensational throughout the day, with 28 cars in action although only 27 made it on track for heat one. As expected there was action aplenty with hits swapped lap after lap. Former World Champion Lee Davison came through to land the win ahead of Kyle Beattie and Steven Haugh. Heat two saw another fantastic race, with Alan Haugh ahead before Curtis Greer took over out front. In the closing stages Greer and Jamie McCann swapped the lead, before McCann got the crucial hit to take the win over Greer and Ed Davis.
If the heats were good, the final was on a different level with some terrific action and no less than three caution periods. Steven Haugh again had a spell out front until the final caution period, when a whole host of star names going for the win led to a number of casualties. From the high drama emerged McCann, to take the flag and complete his double for the afternoon. Kyle Beattie and Jordan Robinson completed the podium at the end of a fantastic show from the formula.

Gary Thompson was the first to show at the start of the opening 2.0 Hot Rods heat, the Cookstown man leading for uch of the distance before being relegated late on by Kris Fitzpatrick. As Kris took the cheuered flag, Denver Grattan and Jordan Rochford chased him home. Heat two saw Dean McFarland set the pace for much of the distance, before he unfortunately tripped over a backmarker with just three laps to go. That opened the door for Broughshane’s David Kernohan to take a welcome win ahead of Ryan McCrory and Drew McKeown.
McFarland again stretched clear in the final, before McCrory eventually broke free from the pack to chase him down. A great battle for the lead over the last few laps ensued, with McFarland holding on to take a fine win over McCrory, Grattan and Rochford.

A very healthy field of Stock Rods saw close, competitive racing all afternoon. Michael Rodgers took victory in the opener after a fine drive to lead home Mark Kilpatrick and Dan Shannon. In heat two it was Kilpatrick who took the victory, holding off Rodgers and Johnny Gillespie at the flag.
The final saw Rodgers quickly establish himself out front, and he never put a foot wrong all the way home despite a fast charging Shannon looming in his mirrors. British & Irish Champion Jonny Cardwell inherited second ahead of Colin McNiece after Shannon was docked in the final analysis for contact.

The Junior Productions grid was bolstered by a couple of welcome Scottish visitors in Koddi Wright and Jack MacLeod. Callum Doak led the early part of heat one, before Daniel Stewart took over to take yet another win in his great recent run. Doak and Leyton Hughes chased him home, before Stewart douibled up in heat two with another victory, this time ahead of Morrow and Doak.
Aggregate points put Stewart on pole for the King of Aghadowey final, and he led from flag to flag despite late pressure from star men Sam Percy and Jack Morrow. Wright came home for a creditable fourth ahead of Callum Magill and Matthew Weir.

As always the Rookie Bangers entertained the Bank Holiday crowd, with William McFaul taking the opener ahead of Gavin Gamble and Reece Pollock. Stephen Boyd was the man to watch in heat two, racing clear t land the win over John Goligher and Gamble.
The King of Aghadowey final saw Boyd quickly make his escape up front in an action packed race, with Stephen taking the flag ahead of McFaul and Marc Morrell after Josh Goligher was demoted for gaining an advantage by cutting a corner.

Maxwell Thwarts McMillan's Tullyroan Treble Bid

On a damp and dreary night at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday, the on track action lifted the spirits of the hardy race fans who were served up some fantastic racing. Crumlin’s Adam Maxwell took a decisive win in the tenth round of National Hot Rods World Series NI, whilst Portadown’s World Champion Nigel Jackson took his new BMW to victory in the Lightning Rods Tullyroan Challenge Cup. Kilrea’s Zack McCombe was a deserving winner in the Thunder Rods category, with other feature race wins falling to Antrim’s Stephen McCcready in the 1300 Stock Cars and young Dungannon lad Ben Hawe in the Ninja Karts.

The National Hot Rods headlined the programme as they competed in Round 10 of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI. Derek McMillan was the star turn in the heats, the Kells driver making great use of his yellow grading to take a clear heat one win over Ian McReynolds and Ben McKee. The second race of the evening again saw McMillan triumphant, this time ahead of a chasing Adam Maxwell and Barry Stephen.
McMillan again hit the front early on in the feature race final, pulling out quite an advantage in the first half of the 35 lap event. McReynolds, Carl Sloan and then Barry Stephen all had turns at chasing the leader down, but late on Maxwell emerged as the main contender. The 2016 World Champion came into his own in the closing stages, and when he finally got onto the tail of the leader McMillan could offer little resistance. Maxwell charged through to take a great win, with Stephen and McMillan completing the podium.

The Lightning Rods excelled all evening in the difficult conditions, with the new for 2022 tyres providing excellent racing on the tricky track surface. Mark McCambridge initially led in the opening heat before World Champion Nigel Jackson stormed through for the victory in his new BMW , just pipping McCambridge for the win ahead of Jordan Rochford in third. James McKinney took a clear win in the reversed grid second heat, with Jackson returning to second in this one ahead of Mark Corry and Stuart Agnew.
The early sort out in the final made excellent viewing, with McCambridge getting ahead initially as Jackson struggled from pole position. Agnew soon went ahead with Jackson in pursuit, and there then followed a fantastic cat and mouse game as the duo raced together whilst utilising different lines in the wet conditions. Just as it looked all over, Agnew tripped over the backmarking Corry on the back straight on the final lap and then ended up spinning him into turn three. He just got across the line still ahead of Jackson and McCambridge, but after a very lengthy Stewards Enquiry Agnew was docked two places for the last bend contact which elevated Jackson to the win. McCambridge was elevated to second, with Agnew having to make do with third after a fine drive that deserved more.

An outstanding 26 cars took to the track in the Thunder Rods, with the action was as frantic and exciting as everyone expected from a grid of that size! The racing was dominated by the lower graders all evening, with Clifford Gordon and Matthew Nicholl battling hard for the opening heat win. They swapped the lead and then raced to the line neck and neck, with Gordon getting the verdict by the very slenderest of margins after a near dead heat. Heat two saw Nicholl this time take a deserved win, with Gordon in second ahead of Rab Preston.
The final saw another novice grader, Zack McCombe, get his nose ahead early on, and despite the best efforts of the rest to get on terms he ran out a deserving winner for the second meeting in a row. Gordon had to settle for second once again ahead of an impressive run from Darryl McAleese to third.

Once again the 1300 Stock Cars thrilled all evening, with bumperwork galore thrilling the fans. A recent regrading certainly seemed to help the racing, with action aplenty in heat one as Josh McKinstry took the win over Matthew Milliken and Chris Hamill. Heat Two saw a sensational finish, as Simon Lamont got the better of a last bend sort out that also included Milliken and McKinstry.
The meeting final started off with a huge four car shunt out onto the back straight, with everyone thankfully coming off unhurt after they all got turned hard left into the wall. After a caution for debris from the incident, Milliken took up the lead but in the closing stages had Stephen McCready and Irish Champion Hamill breathing down his neck. As expected the bumpers went flying in on the final turn, and it was McCready who took a superb win ahead of Hamill and Milliken after a stunning finish!

The young drivers in the Ninja Karts coped superbly with the wet conditions all night, with Ben Hawe slipping past long time leader Jack Morrison to take the opening heat over Keegan Turtle. Turtle went one better in heat two as this time he led Hawe home in another great race.
Morrison again impressed as he led the final early on, but Hawe was on a mission once again and he finally grabbed the lead after a great tussle. Ben then went on to wrap up his double for the day with a fine victory. Morrison, Turtle, Noah Teggart and Riley Dawson-Stirling completed the top finishers.

Streaming/Recording Racing

In line with many other race tracks, DMC Race Promotions would like to inform everyone that the rights to film and video at our circuits are held by the promotion.

These rights are currently under contract to NIOvalTV for use on Spedeworth TV.

Live streaming of any racing and/or the recording of full races for later upload is strictly forbidden, unless permission is granted in advance.

There is no issue with short clips uploaded to social media channels, but we must protect those who are investing in our sport.

Davy McCall
Promoter

Latest Points Update

In our latest points update, standings have been published for three of our formulas:

2.0 Hot Rods 2021/22 NI Points Championship
2022 Irish Championship Grid Points
2022 Hoosier Challenge Series Points

1300 Stock Cars 2021/22 Autoweld NI Points Championship
1300 Stock Cars Irish Championship Grid Points

Rookie Bangers 2021/22 DMC Race Promotions Points Championship

Jordan Rochford continues to head the NI Points Championship for the 2.0 Hot Rods, whilst Chris Hamill is still well clear in the 1300 Stock Cars Autoweld NI Points Championship. Stephen Boyd is currently top of the Rookie Bangers DMC Points Championship.

To view the latest points charts, click on 'Drivers' in the menu bar above and then select the desired formula from the drop down under 'Points & Grades'.

Cochrane Lands 2.0 Hot Rods Glory at Tullyroan

An action packed night of Stock Car Racing was enjoyed by a very healthy crowd at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday evening, with excellent car numbers in every formula on show.
Portadown driver Scott Cochrane was victorious in the opening round if the Hoosier Challenge Series for 2.0 Hot Rods, whilst Loughgall’s Jamie McCann came through for the final win from a record breaking field of Superstox. Garvagh’s Stephen Boyd enjoyed a heat and final double in the entertaining Rookie Bangers, whilst Rathfriland’s Jack Morrow won the first ever Moffett Shield for Junior Productions. An action packed 1300 Stock Cars final rounded off the programme, with the win falling to Antrim’s Stephen McCready.

A twenty car field of 2.0 Hot Rods lined up for their opening heat, with Scott Cochrane coming through a somewhat untidy race to take victory over Conor Hughes and Denver Grattan. Heat two saw the McFarland father and son duo, Colin and Dean, make great strides away from the front of the field, with Dean taking an impressive win over his father in a family one-two.
The final was the opening round of the Hoosier Challenge Series, and it was Cochrane who impressed as he romped home to take the win and a new race tyre courtesy of the series sponsors. Drew McKeown held onto second after a long Stewards Enquiry into the race, with Michael Woods, Gary Fowler and a demoted Hughes next home.

A stunning grid of 26 Superstox took to the track for their opening heat, but they didn’t get very far until a huge cartwheel down the home straight for former World Champion Lee Davison. Thankfully Lee was able to walk away without injury. On the resumption, David Beattie came through to take the win having punted Steven Haugh wide on the final turn in perfect stock car fashion. Heat two saw Alan Haugh this time the man to beat, the former ProStocks star pulling clear to take the win over Curtis Greer and Beattie.
A full grid of cars under the floodlights really was an awesome sight, as the Superstox really have underlined their tag of one of the best formulas on the local ovals. Alan Haugh set the early final pace, but he lost out to a fast charging Jamie McCann. McCann was carrying some great pace, and he took an impressive victory over Craig McConnell and Beattie.

The Rookie Bangers arrived in big numbers once again, with some excellent racing all evening. It was action galore in the opening heat with crashes and spinners galore. Garvagh’s Stephen Boyd took the win ahead of Marc Morrell, before former Stock Rods World Champion Morrell took his first Bangers win in the second heat after an impressive drive. Josh Goligher and Ian Crowley filled the places.

The final was another thrilling race, with reigning Points Champion William McFaul getting out front early on. He then got himself involved with a backmarker and lost his chance, allowing the chasing bunch to take over. Lucas Goligher, Josh Goligher and Boyd contested the lead over the final laps, with Boyd taking the win in a thrilling finish ahead of Lucas Goligher and Sean Ryan.

The inaugural staging of the Moffett Shield for Junior Productions was a great success, with another fine field of cars taking to the grid. Daniel Stewart won the opening heat over Callum Doak, before the Portadown lad repeated the feat in the second heat with Doak again second ahead of Ryan Berry.
The final was lined up on aggregate points, which brought the star drivers closer to the head of the grid. Rathfriland’s Jack Morrow wasted little time in getting his nose ahead, and he romped home a clear winner to receive the magnificent shield from the Moffett family. Stewart was second and received the best white/yellow grade award, with Berry and Doak next in the result after a total of three disqualifications as driving standards slipped.

Once again the 1300 Stock Cars entertained all evening, with hits and places exchanged constantly throughout all of the races. Young Ty Richardson was the star of the heats, the novice grabbing both heat wins without being challenged. It was a different story in the pack with some frantic racing, with Robbie Wright and Simon Lamont getting second and third in the opener before Stephen McCready and Wright followed Ty home in the second heat.
An automatic elevation to yellow grade for the final saw Richardson’s initial advantage reduced, but he still looked odds on for the win before mechanical trouble intervened. That opened the race right up to the squabbling pack, with McCready getting the deserved win after a great drive ahead of Lamont and Jonathan Brown.

Latest Points Update

In our latest points update, standings for National Hot Rods, National Bangers and Stock Rods have been published.

In the National Hot Rods, defending NI champion and current National Champion Derek Martin currently tops the 2021/22 Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI Standings ahead of Adam Hylands and Shane Murray. In the Cirrus Plastics DMC Points Championship for 2022, the current leader after three meetings is Hylands ahead of Martin and Thomas Dilly.

In the National Bangers, after the entertaining 2L Irish Teams encounter Tony Gillespie is still ahead in the 2021/22 DMC Race Promotions Championship ahead of Mike Flaherty and Rodney Herron. Next meeting is Shamwreck!

In the Stock Rods 2021/22 NI Points Championship, Shane McMillan has jumped to the top of the chart after the Easter weekend, with double championship winner Dan Shannon now second and Marc Morrell in third. A full regrading is also now available.

To view the latest points charts, click on 'Drivers' in the menu bar above and then select the desired formula from the drop down under 'Points & Grades'.

Shannon Doubles Up With Alan Connolly Memorial Win

Glenavy’s Dan Shannon followed up his Irish Open Championship success of two days earlier by claiming victory in the coveted Alan Connolly Memorial Trophy for Stock Rods at Aghadowey Oval on Easter Monday afternoon. In front of the large Bank Holiday crowd there was also a hat-trick of wins for National Hot Rods veteran Keith Martin in their latest World Series round, whilst Garvagh’s Dean Catherwood produced a similar feat in the Lightning Rods.
England’s Murray Hall was the winner of the Ninja Karts King of Aghadowey title, whilst newcomer Zach McCombe from Kilrea won the Thunder Rods feature race.

A pleasing field of Stock Rods took to the grid for the Alan Connolly Memorial Trophy, in honour of Ballymoney’s former World Champion. Dan Shannon quickly got off the mark with a clear win in the opening heat over Derek McMillan and Scotland’s Chris Lattka, before Curtis Greer marked his return to the formula with success in the second heat.
The Alan Connolly Memorial Trophy final saw Shannon and World Champion Siobhan Martin share the front row, with Shannon immediately taking up the running. Martin really was putting him under pressure nearing the end, but it was Dan who ran out the winner of the prestigious trophy in some style. Martin and McMillan filled out the podium places.

Dungannon’s former World Champion Keith Martin was the man to beat in Round 9 of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI for National Hot Rods, the seasoned campaigner taking a faultless hat-trick of wins during the afternoon. In the opener Keith held off Thomas Dilly and Derek McMillan at the flag, before Simon Kennedy and McMillan completed the top three in the second heat.
The feature race final again saw Martin quickly hit the front, and the veteran used all his experience to keep the rest at bay. Dilly and Podge McQuaid completed the podium, with Derek Martin, Barry Stephen and Adam Hylands next home.

A whole host of visitors arrived to take on the local youngsters in the Ninja Karts King of Aghadowey, and it was Norwich based Jenson Fish who raced to victory in the opening heat over Shaun Boyle from Scotland and another English driver Murray Hall. Heat two saw Fish look odds on for another win until he clipped a spun kart on the final bend, handing the win to Jack Connor from Scotland ahead of Hall and Boyle.
The King of Aghadowey final was a controversial affair, with a number of disqualifications handed out for contact and a late race red flag adding to the drama. In the final analysis it was Hall who was crowned King of Aghadowey after a splendid drive ahead of Ryan Abernethy Jnr and Layton Cairns, as the young Ninja stars once again thrilled the crowds.

The Lightning Rods saw World Champion Nigel Jackson debut his new BMW, but it was Dean Catherwood in his BMW who impressed all afternoon. He led home Stuart Agnew and Martin O’Flaherty for a great heat one win, before he just held off O’Flaherty to take the second heat as well.
With an automatic upgrade for the final, it was never going to be plain sailing for Dean running from further back on the grid. But he had every intention of grabbing the feature race silverware too, and he duly led them home to complete his hat-trick ahead of Jackson and James McKinney.

The all-action Thunder Rods completed the line up, with well in excess of 20 cars coming to the grid for heat one. It was Rab Preston who took the victory in the opener, demoting newcomer Warren Graham to take the win. Clifford Gordon then took the second heat after a great drive ahead of Darryl McAleese and Zach McCombe.
McCombe’s third place in that second heat on his first night of racing signalled his undoubted ability, and he duly hit the front in the final and pulled clear to take a decisive and deserved victory. Gordon just couldn’t get close enough to the flying McCombe and had to settle for second ahead of Ryan Fleming and Preston.

Shannon Shines at Tullyroan Season Opener

The new oval racing season kicked off in style at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday night, with a huge turnout of both competitors and spectators. Glenavy’s Dan Shannon took victory in the feature event, the Stock Rods Irish Open Championship, whilst Crumlin’s Adam Maxwell marked his return to racing with a polished heat and final double in the National Hot Rods. Limavady’s Josh Goligher was another heat and final double winner, this time in the 2L National Bangers, but even that couldn’t stop his rivals Team KODS taking the Irish Teams Championship victory. 10 year old debutant Leyton Hughes from Antrim took a heat and final double in the Junior Productions, whilst the feature race winner in the 1300 Stock Cars was Annaghmore’s Robbie Wright.

The local Stock Rods were boosted by a trio of welcome Scottish visitors for the Irish Open Championship, with Joe Largey getting the better of Siobhan Martin to take the heat one win. Martin and Christ Lattka filled the places, before Nutts Corner’s Mark Crawford took a decisive win in heat two by some margin with Mark Foster impressing in second ahead of Shane McMillan.
Aggregate points saw Scots duo Lattka and Martin lock out the front row of the grid for the Irish Open Final, with Lattka showing first out front. Dan Shannon was quickly on the attack, putting a great move on Lattka into turn three to take up the running. Shannon pulled clear to take his first major victory in the formula after a fine drive, with Martin and Lattka filling out the top three.

A record breaking field for a domestic National Hot Rods encounter of 22 cars lined up for round eight of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI. The opening heat saw a number of caution periods, with Podge McQuaid leading in his pretty Lotus. Former World Champion Adam Maxwell then pulled off a great outside line move to take the win over McQuaid and Derek Martin. Heat two was the race of the night by some distance, with seasoned campaigner Keith Martin leading the way at the head of the field. Entering the closing stages it became a fierce five car battle for the lead, with Carl Sloan doing his best on the outside line. He dropped back, with Adam Hylands then hauling himself alongside Martin on the run to the flag to win by inches on the line.
The final saw a couple of major incidents that eliminated a number of cars, before it came down to a titanic three way dice for the lead between Maxwell, Derek Martin and Hylands. Despite all that the others could throw at him, Maxwell held on to complete his double for the evening and announce that he was well and truly back! Hylands, D Martin and McQuaid filled out the premier places.

A very respectable entry of 2L National Bangers entertained all evening, racing for the Irish Teams Championship. Josh Goligher took the opening heat for The Hooligans ahead of Mike Flaherty and Dac Patton, before heat two saw Lewis Burke take the chequered flag for Team KODS over Lucas Goligher and Jay Gurney.
The final saw some big hits handed out, with Josh Goligher again grabbing the win over Flaherty and Matthew Nicholl. Going in to the last car moving Destruction Derby The Hooligans led the points table, but Tony Gillespie’s sterling win saw Team KODS leapfrog to the top of the standings to take the Irish Teams Championship title.

Five newcomers completed their ORCi Junior Assessments prior to the opening Junior Productions race, with two of them being Ninja Karts World Champion Leyton Hughes and Irish Champion Ryan Berry. Berry led the field for most of the first heat, only to be nudged wide and out of contention as he and Hughes fought for the top spot. Leyton took the flag ahead of Declan O’Connor, but both were demoted by the Race Stewards for contact. That handed a first ever win in the formula to Lauren Berry ahead of Daniel Stewart. Hughes made no mistake in heat two, holding off Stewart and O’Connor for his first Junior Production win.
Ryan Berry led early on in the final, before he was challenged and passed by Hughes. As Hughes hit the front, Stewart was coming on strong nearing the end but Leyton just managed to hold on to compete a fine double to earn a rise to yellow grade after just one meeting. Stewart was great value in second ahead of Lauren Berry and Stewart Hanna.

1300 Stock Cars Completing the programme were the 1300 Stock Cars, and they produced some fantastic racing with the sparks flying as the bumpers went in hard all night long. Young Ty Richardson put his novice grading to good use to land the victory in the opening heat over Marcus Crossett, before it was Josh McKinstry who took a highly entertaining second heat over Ivan Elliott.
The final was another blinding race, with a late yellow flag bringing the field onto the tail of leader Richardson. Ty showed great composure to hold them all off, and just when it looked like the silverware was his, car problems saw him hesitate allowing Robbie Wright to steal through for a last gasp victory. Richardson had to make do with second ahead of Crossett and Elliott.

Latest Points Update

The latest standings have been published for Superstox and Ninja Karts after Saturday's opening meeting of the season. Points season's for most formulas now run from World Final to World Final.

In the Superstox, 925 Craig McConnell has had a great start to the 2021/22 season and he tops the standings ahead of 914 Lee Davison and 944 Jordan Robinson.

In the Ninja Karts, 1 Leyton Hughes continues to top the chart in the Ninja Karts, but having missed Saturday's meeting his lead has been slashed.

To view the latest points charts, click on 'Drivers' in the menu bar above and then select the desired formula from the drop down under 'Points & Grades'.

Triumph For Thomas As Racing Returns At Aghadowey

The new oval racing season burst into life at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday evening, with some fantastic racing keeping the big crowd entertained throughout the opening meeting. Portadown’s Thomas Dilly took the honours in the headlining Simpson Race Exhausts World Series round for National Hot Rods, whilst Cloughmills driver Sean Mark raced to a heat and final double in a very well subscribed Superstox formula.
Nutts Corner’s Michael Woods took a faultless hat-trick in the 2.0 Hot Rods, with Portadown’s Mark Corry and Essex racer Christian Murray taking heat and final double wins in the Lightning Rods and Ninja Karts repectively.

Podge McQuaid put his superb new Lotus Exige to good use in the opening National Hot Rods heat, as he led for most of the distance to record the win over a rapid looking Adam Hylands who had him under serious pressure towards the end. Thomas Dilly and Simon Kennedy were next across the line. Kennedy was the one to watch in heat two, as his newly liveried Vauxhall Tigra took a decisive win ahead of Dilly’s Ginetta and the Mercedes of Ben McKee.
The final was easily the race of the night, as Dilly got himself out front and invited allcomers to wrestle the lead away. McKee initially tried the outside line, before Hylands attempted the difficult pass time and again. Adam drew alongside and sometimes ahead, but Thomas used all his experience the hold them all at bay and take a great win. Hylands was excellent value in second ahead of McKee, McQuaid and Shane Murray.

A fantastic field of 25 Superstox arrived in the pits to do battle at the season opener, boosted by World Champion Nick Roots and his brother Dan from the south of England. It was a fine start to their World Championship year at Aghadowey, with the big one scheduled to be contested in September.
On a very busy track, Sean Mark relegated early leader Brian Lammey to take the heat one win over Graham Meek and a rapid looking Craig McConnell in his new WRC car. It was McConnell who then powered through to take the heat two win, ahead of Jamie McCann and Lee Davison after Curtis Greer was penalised from second for jumping the start.
The final saw drama aplenty as the bumpers were put to good use. Mark again worked his way ahead early on, edging out a healthy lead as the star men squabbled. David Beattie, another in a new WRC chassis, was driving superbly to cut down the deficit, and on the final lap he went for a last gasp lunge at the leader. He was just too far back though, and his gallant efforts only succeeded in seeing him spin out of contention. That handed second to McConnell on the run to the flag, ahead of World Champion Roots in third, with the race ending in spectacular fashion as Kyle Beattie went for a rollover on the exit of turn four.

A pleasing field of sixteen 2.0 Hot Rods took to the grid, with the promise of more to come in the next few weeks. Michael Woods was the man of the evening, winning both heats with ease and then repeating the feat in the final, and that even after a promotion to the blue grade.
The opening heat Scott Cochrane and welcome returnee Jamie McCann chase Woods over the line, before Michael finished ahead of Denver Grattan and McCann in heat two. The final Saw Woods get a great jump from the front of the blue garde and he left the rest trailing in his wake. Cochrane and Gary Fowler completed the top three ahead of McCann and Jordan Rochford.

A new era for the Lightning Rods dawned with the first meeting under the new rules, with BMW’s now joining the Sierra’s on the grid and everyone on the new control tyre. Formula debutant Dean Catherwood in a beautiful BMW led the way in the opening heat, before being overhauled on the final lap by Stuart Agnew who took the win. Heat two saw the first ever BMW win, as Mark Corry raced his example to victory lane over Mark McCambridge and Agnew.
Corry quickly got ahead in the final, and despite the best efforts of McCambridge, British Champion Ricky Shaw and Agnew, Mark held on the complete the double and the dream start for his new car.

A very pleasing six newcomers lined up for the opening Ninja Karts heat, with Essex based Christian Murray taking the win after a great outside run to pass the impressive Jack Morrison in the closing stages. Heat two saw Caolan Fegan out front setting the pace, until Ben Hawe pulled off a fantastic move on the final lap to snatch the victory.
In the final Morrison held the initial lead, but caution periods wiped out his advantage at the front. Murray soon took over at the head of the pack, Christian romping home to his second win of the night which sees him upgraded to the blue grade for the next meeting. Riley Dawson-Stirling and Fegan completed the top three.