Donnell Takes Rookie Bangers Victory at Tullyroan

On an action packed evening of racing at Tullyroan Oval, Larne’s William Donnell avoided the chaos around the track to take victory in a well subscribed Rookie Bangers final after a great drive. The other winners at the Bann Hire sponsored event were Aughnacloy’s Kyle Beattie in the Superstox, Portadown’s Mark Corry in the Lightning Rods and Ballybogey’s Norman Purdy in the Thunder Rods.

A full field of Rookie Bangers was always going to mean action galore, and they kicked off in style as Dylan Connolly went for a huge barrel roll down the home straight on the opening lap! Thankfully he emerged unscathed, and Paul O’Connor blasted ahead on the restart. Amidst the action Paul pulled well clear, only to be spun on the final lap by a backmarker! Such was his lead however, that he quickly corrected himself and still took the flag ahead of William Donnell and Matthew McKinstry. Heat two saw Conor Finegan out front, before his big rival in the local points championship chase, Josh Goligher, eased past to take victory.

The final saw an early stoppage for the second rollover of the night, as Peter McConnell found himself upended on the back straight. McKinstry powered ahead on the restart, before Deano McGrath took over out front. Deano lost out within sight of the flag though, handing the victory and the Bann Hire silverware to Donnell ahead of McKinstry and Ryan Nixon, after Goligher was demoted having jumped the restart. That handed the year long DMC Points championship to Finegan by the slenderest of margins.

Brian Lammey led a healthy field of Superstox away for their first heat, the local photographer holding sway out front until well past half distance. Ethan Dilly and Alan Haugh then had turns out front, but they had no answer to the pace of Steven Haugh who grabbed the win ahead of Lee Davison. Dilly and Alan Haugh again contested the lead in heat two, but this time British Champion Davison was in fine form, and his late charge from the superstar grade netted him the win over David Beattie and Alan Haugh.
The final doubled up as the opening round of the NIOval TV Series, and it turned out to be the race of the night! Alan Haugh and Dilly again contested the early lead, with young star Graham Meek making huge strides towards the front until he unfortunately found himself in the wall. By now the star names were knocking at the door having worked their way through, and into the final few laps it was a three way scrap between Sean Mark, Davison and Irish Champion Kyle Beattie for the honours. They traded hits with the bumpers in an enthralling final few laps, with Beattie ahead when it mattered to take a fantastic win over Davison and Mark.

It was slightly greasy for the opening Lightning Rods heat, with Ronan McNally holding off allcomers to take the win over Aaron Stewart and World Champ Nigel Jackson. Heat two saw an emphatic win for Ricky Shaw after a great drive indeed, with Mark McCambridge and Stewart this time the placemen.
Dylan McCann was the first to show in the final from the yellow grade, with Mark Corry having his best run of the night to go second and chase down the leader. Mark quickly arrived on the tail of the McCann, but he found Dylan a much tougher nut to crack than many would have thought. Quickly the pack had joined them in what was now a huge fight for the lead, until Corry found a gap down the inside of McCann on the back straight. That netted Mark the lead and ultimately the victory, over Martin O’Flaherty, Stewart, Jackson and Stuart Agnew.

The Thunder Rods Tullyroan Challenge Cup completed the race bill, with Mark McLaughlin taking the opening heat victory over John Goligher, after first over the line Jason Darragh was docked two places for contact. The reversed line up for heat two again saw over twenty cars on track, and saw Norman Purdy quickly assume the top spot to claim the win over Ryan Nixon and Gavin Gamble.
The final saw Purdy on pole, and in just his second meeting back in the fold Norman burst clear to take a fine Challenge Cup win. McLaughlin was a gallant runner up, with Nixon getting the best of a big places battle to take third spot.
<b>Photos by John Wolsey</b>

Many thanks to our meeting sponsors, Bann Hire

Tullyroan Oval, Saturday 3rd October 2020 - Spectator Information

Racing continues this Saturday evening, October 3rd, at Tullyroan Oval with the exciting Rookie bangers topping the bill. There is already a superb entry booked in!

The meeting will run to strict guidelines regarding Coronavirus. Everyone attending should note the following:

*We will be running to a reduced capacity within the venue.

*Anyone showing any Coronavirus symptoms should not attend.

*Contactless card payment for entry is the preferred payment method (cash will be accepted but should be kept to a minimum).

*Contact details for everyone entering the stadium must be recorded. Please download and print a form from the link below and fill in the details of everyone in your group for collection on entry.

*There will be no spectator access to the pit area. Pits will be drivers and crews only.

*Face coverings are very highly recommended.

*Social distancing of 2m must be observed at all times where possible. Please do not congregate in the usual busy areas or racing will be paused. Please spread around the perimeter of the track at all times.

*Please follow good hygiene measures. Hand sanitiser points will be located within the complex.

*Please observe social distancing when queuing for toilets and refreshment outlets.

*Children MUST be supervised AT ALL TIMES.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE GUIDELINES COULD JEOPARDISE THE RUNNING OF FUTURE EVENTS

CLICK HERE FOR CONTACT DETAILS FORM

Latest Points Update - National Hot Rods

In our latest points update, the standings for National Hot Rods have been published.

After his commanding performance at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday night, Dungannon's Derek Martin tops Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI, ahead of Adam Hylands and Ben McKee.

In the Cirrus Plastics DMC Race Promotions Championship which covers the whole calendar year and utilises our domestic points system, Derek also tops this chart with Hylands and Glenn Bell in second and third respectively.

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'.

Dominant Derek Takes Tullyroan Double

Dungannon’s Derek Martin produced a dominant display as he raced to a heat and final double in Round 5 of the Simpson Race Exhausts National Hot Rods World Series NI at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday night.
On a crisp, dry evening of high speed racing, Randalstown teenager Sam McNeice claimed victory in the Junior Productions Golden Helmet, whilst the other winners at the AMK Fruit & Veg sponsored event were young Loanends star Jonathan Brown in the 1300 Stock Cars and local Tullyroan driver Allen Cherry in the 2.0 Hot Rods.

An impressive 18 car field came to grid for the opening National Hot Rod heat, including visiting Cork driver Jeff Riordan. Andrew Stewart set the opening pace in his pretty Ginetta, but lost out just after half distance as Ben McKee surged ahead to take the win in his Mercedes. Stewart and Davy McKay filled the top three ahead of Derek Martin in fourth. Sean Dynes and then McKay had turns out front in heat two, before a great drive from Martin brought him onto the tail of the leader with five laps to go. Derek quickly went to McKay’s outside, and a touch between the two into the Tullyroan Bend saw McKay spin out of contention. Martin raced home to take an impressive win over Shane Murray and Adam Hylands.
If Martin was impressive on his way to the heat two victory, he was nothing short of phenomenal in the final! As Dynes led the opening laps, Martin was already scything his way through from the star grade. He blasted ahead on lap ten, and proceeded to pull a huge advantage in a masterful performance. Derek was over half a lap to the good at the chequered flag as he landed another fine haul of points to increase his Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI lead. McKee, Gary Woolsey, Hylands, Murray and Glenn Bell completed the top places in the feature race.

A domestic record of seventeen cars contested the Junior Productions Golden Helmet, with the 10-16 year olds producing some fine racing all evening. Randalstown’s Sam McNeice raced through to take the opening heat win is style despite some pressure from runner up James Stewart and third placed man Jack Morrow. Heat two saw Portadown’s Alex Milligan provide a stern resistance to hang on out front for his first ever race win. Sam Percy piled the pressure on throughout the race, but Milligan kept his nerve to take the flag. Behind Percy, Chelsy Rainey impressed in third ahead of Morrow and McNeice.
McNeice and Morrow shared the front row for the Golden Helmet final, with Sam heading Jack from the first green flag. There was little to choose between them with Morrow just unable to get close enough to mount a serious challenge. There was a great places battle further down the field, before they were all brought up short by a late caution flag when Rainey lost a wheel. At the resumption McNeice surged home to the chequered flag to land the win and the superb Golden Helmet trophy, with Morrow, James Stewart, Callum Magill and Percy rounding out the top six.

The all action 1300 Stock Cars traded blows all evening as they contested the Tullyroan Challenge Cup. Matthew Milliken made good his escape to win the opening heat ahead of Jonathan Brown and Jon McQuillan, before Matthew repeated the dose in heat two to take another fine victory, having staved off a last bend do or die attack from Brown.

Milliken got ahead early in the Challenge Cup final as the others all tripped over each other as the bumpers went flying in early on. Brown and McQuillan broke free from the pack and gave chase to the leader, with Brown punting Milliken wide with just a handful of laps to go to claim a great win. The sixteen year old really is making a name for himself in the senior ranks. Robbie Wright stole through late on to grab second ahead of McQuillan and Jonny Patterson.

Another fine field of 2.0 Hot Rods saw a formula debut for Jordan McCann amongst the twenty strong grid. Donegal based rally preparation expert Trevor McConnell led them away in the opening heat on only his second meeting on the ovals, and he held on superbly well until well past half distance. Cullybackey’s Curtis Greer stepped out of the pack to challenge McConnell, Curtis swooping right around the outside to take the win over Allen Cherry and Denver Grattan. McConnell once again led them away in heat two, and again he held sway until well after the half way mark. This time it was Banbridge driver Grattan who surged past to take the lead and the win over Cherry and Greer.

Cherry was the first to break clear of the pack and give chase to McConnell in the AMK sponsored final. Trevor proved a tougher nut to crack this time, but Cherry soon powered clear after a fine outside line pass. There was to be no stopping the local Tullyroan driver, with Allen taking the win just ahead of Greer, Jordan Rochford and Grattan.

Many thanks to our meeting sponsors, AMK Fruit & Veg

Latest Points Update - Superstox, Stock Rods & Thunder Rods

In our latest points update, the latest standings for Superstox, Stock Rods & Thunder Rods have been published.

After the final meeting in the Superstox World Championship qualifying chart, 955 Kyle Beattie has secured a clear win and will draw for pole position in the World Final at Ipswich in October. Ed Davis and Jordan Robinson complete the top three in the chart.

In the Stock Rods, the latest grading in the Calvin Tyres 2020/21 NI Points Championship sees 16 year old Adam McFall on top spot after his fantastic start to his senior career. Jonny Cardwell, Stevie McNiece and Rick Purdy are next up in the standings.

In the Norman Purdy & Sons 2020/21 NI Points Championship for Thunder Rods, Simon Lamont leads the way as the top three places in the points chase are filled by drivers who began the season as novices. Ryan Nixon and Sam Preston complete the top three in the standings at present. As drivers can only climb two grades in any grading period, they all find themselves in the blue grade for the next meeting.

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'.

Cool Cardwell Claims Cooke Memorial Trophy

On a gloriously sunny evening at Aghadowey Oval, an excellent entry of drivers enjoyed some fantastic racing. Glenavy’s Jonny Cardwell came out on top in the Stock Rods to collect the coveted William Cooke Memorial Trophy after three fine drives across the evening. There was huge celebration in the Hughes household, with young Leyton taking victory in a fantastic Ninja Karts King of Aghadowey, whilst his Dad Conor romped home to the chequered flag in the 2.0 Hot Rods.
The other winners at the Darrell Hanna Auto Repairs sponsored event were Jordan Robinson from Portadown who collected the Superstox King of Aghadowey and Ballymoney’s Simon Lamont who battled through the chaos to take the Thunder Rods final win.

A very healthy field of 23 Stock Rods took to the grid for the annual running of the William Cooke Memorial Trophy. Also present was William’s 1970 Ford Escort Mk1, which was raced at Aghadowey back in 1970 by the expert engineer from Kilrea. It has been painstakingly restored over recent times by William and David Wilson from Cullybackey, and it was really well received by the local race fans.
The first heat saw a huge battle for the lead, which saw Larne’s Philip Wilson hold sway out front to take the chequered flag. But after a lengthy Stewards Enquiry he was disqualified in the final analysis for spinning a backmarker in the closing stages, which handed the victory to Craigywarren’s Adam McFall with his father Micky McFall in second.
Heat two saw a dominant flag to flag win for Shane McMillan, the current holder of the trophy, ahead of Dan Shannon and Jonny Cardwell.
On aggregate points Cardwell annexed pole spot for the final ahead of McMillan, and it was Jonny who settled ahead early on before a caution brought proceedings to a halt for a crash on the Brown Trout Bend. On the resumption, Cardwell had Adam McFall making him work very hard for his lead right from the off. Young gun McFall was snapping at Jonny’s heels for the duration of the event, but Jonny used all his experience to take the victory, and the beautiful trophy, ahead of McFall, Shannon and an impressive debut from Joe Largey.

A host of English and Scottish visitors bolstered the Ninja Karts field, with Ryan Berry slipping past Scottish lad Stuart Shevill Jnr Jnr to take the heat one victory over Leyton Hughes. Michael McLaughlin led the opening exchanges of heat two, but he soon lost out to a flying Caolan Fegan. The Belfast youngster even survived a late caution period to take his first ever win in some style, over Riley Dawson-Stirling and Cayden Connor.
The King of Aghadowey Final saw Irish Champion Hughes surge ahead early on and that was enough to net him yet more silverware after a sterling drive. Bournemouth long distance traveller Jake Ashby was great value in second, ahead of Scottish duo Hamish Plenderleith and Kenzie Kopacz.

Also contesting their King of Aghadowey title were the Superstox, which included Scottish star Dean Johnston amongst a very strong grid. Brian Lammey and Del McLaughlin had spells out front in the opening heat, before Steven Haugh powered through to take the win over Jordan Robinson and Sean Mark. McLaughlin led the majority of heat two, before Robinson this time sliced through to the chequered flag out front, with McLaughlin and Haugh filling out the places.
The closed grid final was always going to produce fireworks, and that it certainly did. Right from the off Robinson and Irish Champion Kyle Beattie traded blows, and the lead, on several occasions in a terrific scrap. Ed Davis was playing a watching brief in third but just couldn’t get past the lead duo. Finally Robinson managed to break clear, and Jordan romped home to a decisive and pleasing win, with Beattie and Lee Davison filling the places on the podium.

Twenty 2.0 Hot Rods blasted off the grid for their opening heat, with Ryan McCrory taking victory over Curtis Greer and Conor Hughes in a race littered with incidents, crashes and caution periods. The standards were much improved in heat two, with McCloy out front before Hughes burst past to take the win over McCloy and Greer.
McCloy set a great pace out front in the Darrell Hanna Auto Repairs Final, but as the closing stages approached he had his mirrors full of the closing pack. Hughes tried the difficult outside line but couldn’t make it stick, before Denver Grattan and Greer then tried but couldn’t unsettle the leader either. Having looked as if his chance was gone, Hughes worked his way back to second and this time he did find a way past the resolute McCloy to take a very impressive victory indeed. McCloy had driven a great race but had to make do with second, ahead of Adam Best, Grattan and Jordan Rochford.

A huge field of 23 Thunder Rods took to the circuit for their opening heat, with Ryan Nixon grabbing the win over Simon Lamont and Sam Preston on a very busy raceway indeed. Nixon repeated the feat in the second heat, taking another great win over Simon McLaughlin and Adam Graham.
The final was dramatic to say the least, as Nixon fought off allcomers as he chased his hat-trick. The experienced Norman Purdy was the one heaping on most of the pressure, and on a couple of occasions he almost found the gap that would have netted him the win.
Purdy eventually did find that gap into the Brown Trout Bend, but he and Nixon tangled for the lead which saw Simon Lamont just nip past into the top spot. There then followed a huge crash, as Graham Young blew a radiator hose at the end of the back straight, and on the resultant fluid a whole host of cars ploughed headlong into the wall. Thankfully everyone escaped uninjured, and the result was declared on the last completed lap as there was only a lap or so to run. Lamont therefore took the silverware by the narrowest of margins over Purdy, Darryl McAleese and Jason Darragh.
<b>Pics by John Wolsey</b>

Many thanks to our meeting sponsors, Darrell Hanna Auto Repairs of Limavady

Restoration of the Willie Cooke Mk1 Escort

This Saturday's race meeting at Aghadowey Oval sees the Stock Rods contest the William Cooke Memorial Trophy, raced in memory of the expert engine builder and former driver from Kilrea.

The meeting sponsor Darrell Hanna from Limavady was always a great friend of Willie, and used his Motex Race Engines with great success. After Willie's sad passing Darrell acquired an old Mk1 Ford Escort that Willie had raced, and recently this was passed on to another former racer, William Wilson from Cullybackey.

William, alongside his son David who races in the Thunder Rods formula, painstakingly restored the car to its former glory, leaving it as close as possible to how it raced in the Production Cars back in the day. They reckon it was debuted new by Willie Cooke back in 1970, and during the restoration it has received a lot of care and attention, including new arches, tidied bodywork and also a new engine.

William and David have pulled off a fantastic job in restoring the car to allow it to once again grace the Aghadowey circuit this weekend. It will be given a few laps on Saturday night by Darrell Hanna, and will be on display for everyone to admire.

The photos show the car before and during the course of the restoration - we'll keep the finished article under wraps until Saturday!

Latest Points Update

In our latest points update, a number of formulas have seen their standings published.

In the AM Motorsport DMC National Bangers Points Championship, last weekend's exciting encounter saw Leonard Dunn snatch the win in the championship whilst Paul Compelli just pipped Rodney Herron for the second spot on the grid in next month's World Championship at Ipswich.

In the Superstox, they have just one more meeting left (this Saturday, Sept 19th at Aghadowey Oval) before their important World Championship qualification ends. Kyle Beattie is already assured of the win, and with it a draw for pole position in the World Final, whilst there is a huge battle for the places. A regrading for the Superstox, sponsored by Mk2 Escort Shells & Spares, also sees post-lockdown sensations Steven Haugh and young Graham Meek both move back on the grid.

In the Lightning Rods, the 2020/21 Ryan Wright Signs NI Points Championship is led by James McKinney after 4 meetings, with Tam Agnew, Nigel Jackson and Stuart Agnew next up.

The 2020 Cirrus Plastics DMC Race Promotions Championship for National Hot Rods see Derek Martin now ahead of Adam Hylands and Glenn Bell after their latest outing, whilst finally in the 2020/21 Autoweld NI Points Championship for 1300 Stock Cars it is 16 year old sensation Jonathan Brown who tops the chart after a fantastic start to his senior career.

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'.

Carl Storms To Heat and Final Double At Wet Tullyroan

The weather was far from ideal with persistent rain for most of the evening, but it failed to dampen the on track action at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday night. Packed grids were the order of the day, with Kells driver Carl Sloan taking a handsome heat and final double in Round 4 of the Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI for National Hot Rods.
Donemana’s Leonard Dunn underlined his star man status in the Unlimited National Bangers with victory in the Tullyroan Supercup, whilst the other big winners at the McElmeel Mobility Services and Ray McGrath Transport sponsored event were Portadown’s World Champion Nigel Jackson in the Lightning Rods and Aughnacloy’s Kyle Beattie in the Superstox

Lurgan’s Ian McReynolds was the first to show in the opening National Hot Rods heat as the drivers adapted well to the tricky conditions. Carl Sloan was on a mission though from the blue grade, and he ran down Ian just past half distance to grab the spoils ahead of McReynolds and Shane Murray. McReynolds again set the heat two pace, and this time Ian had enough in hand to hold Sloan at bay to take a well deserved victory. Behind the lead duo, Derek Martin inherited third place after Jaimie McCurdy was docked two places for a jump start.
McReynolds quickly jumped ahead in the final, but Sloan was rapidly on the move to give chase. Carl slipped in front on lap eight, edging out quite an advantage too. Shane Murray was catching the eye as well, leaving the rest of the star grade trailing in his wake as he coolly worked his way up to second. Sloan was well down the road by this stage, but a sterling effort by Murray saw him chipping away at the advantage of the Kells driver. Murray just ran out of laps to mount a challenge, as Sloan completed a morale boosting heat and final double in some style. Derek Martin, McCurdy and Glenn Bell completed the top five.

A fine field of Unlimited National Bangers thrilled the fans as they always do, with Steven Bolton the first to show in the Tullyroan Supercup race. Amidst the carnage, Bolton got removed from the lead as Davey O’Connor raced past to take up the running. Local points champion Leonard Dunn was easily the fastest car on track though, and he soon raced ahead to take the silverware ahead of O’Connor and Kieran McIvor.
The Allcomers event saw Lisburn’s Rodney Herron take some huge hits as his Volvo got destroyed on the Tullyroan Bend, and it was former World Champion Bolton who led them home to take a great win over Dunn and McIvor.

A bruising Destruction Derby completed the night, with McIvor snatching the victory after a head to head with O’Connor. Tony Gillespie was named Entertainer of the Night, with Herron collecting the Best Wreck award.

A fantastic twenty Lightning Rods took to the grid for their Tullyroan Challenge Cup, with recent form man Stuart Agnew from Magheralin just getting the better of a great fight with Richard Stewart to take the win. World Champion Jackson made great progress to third ahead of Ally Neill, the latter back in his old car after a huge shunt at Aghadowey a week ago. The Agnew brothers have been a revelation in 2020 since switching to the Lightning Rods, and after Stuart’s heat one victory it was his brother Tam who grabbed the glory in heat two. In a grandstand finish as the front five raced to the line together, Tam got the verdict over Mark Corry and James McKinney.
On aggregate points Jackson had annexed pole position for the Tullyroan Challenge Cup final, and as a renowned ‘rain-master’ it was no surprise to see him quickly assume the lead. In a masterclass performance, Nigel underlined his World Champion status by racing to an emphatic win, with Neill also excelling in second ahead of McKinney and Tam Agnew.

A strong showing of twenty Superstox saw Ed Davis take a polished victory in heat one, relegating young star Graham Meek in the closing stages. Irish Champion Kyle Beattie laid down a marker in that one by charging through from the rear of the grid to third, and he went on to take the chequered flag in heat two after a blinding drive. Davis and Jamie McCann filled the places ahead of Sean Mark and David Beattie.
In the final McCann showed great pace early on the pull clear at the front, but as they headed for the closing stage he had Kyle Beattie looming large in his mirrors. The Aughnacloy star had given yet another lesson in wet weather driving, and he bumpered his way past McCann as they headed to the one lap to go marker. Kyle completed a great double for the evening, with McCann, David Beattie and Lee Davison rounding out the top four.
The Superstox got a 10 lap Dash For Cash to complete the evening, kindly sponsored by the Moffett family. McCann made up for losing out on the final win with a great victory in this one over Kyle Beattie and Mark.
<b>Pics by John Wolsey</b>

Many thanks to our meeting sponsors, McElmeel Mobility Services & Ray McGrath Transport

Latest Points Update - 2.0 Hot Rods

Our first regrading of the season for the DMC formulas has come a little later than expected, with the 2.0 Hot Rods now updated after their fourth meeting since lockdown.

Drew McKeown sits on top of the 2020/21 Racemart NI Points Championship, with a 14 point advantage over Jordan Rochford, and this will see both rise to the star grade from their next meeting.

Over the lockdown period where we had our lengthy break from racing, we have taken the opportunity to tweak our points process, with all classes now contesting their NI Points Championships from World Final to World Final in line with other promotions across the UK (or Irish Championship to Irish Championship for Junior Productions & Thunder Rods etc).

Click Here To View 2.0 Hot Rod Points