Hylands Tops In Hoosier Series Opener At Aghadowey

The new race season at Aghadowey Oval kicked off in great style with some fantastic racing on Saturday night, March 28th. With a packed pit area and big grids in every class on show, it was Portadown’s Adam Hylands who took the feature event of the night, the opening round of the Hoosier Challenge Series for 2.0 Hot Rods.
World Champion in the 1400 Stock Cars, Cullybackey’s Curtis Greer, showed great pace in his new car to land a heat and final double, whilst Glenavy’s Jamie Cardwell took victory in the competitive Stock Rods division. There was also a heat and final double for Antrim’s National & British Champion Leyton Hughes in the Junior Productions, with the final feature race of the evening falling to Limavady’s Liam Wilson in the well-subscribed Thunder Rods formula.

A very pleasing field of over twenty 2.0 Hot Rods took to the grid for their opening heat, which developed into a huge battle for the win nearing the end. Ronan McNally held on for the victory ahead of former World Champion Adam Hylands and local driver Aaron Stewart. Heat two saw British and Internations Cup Champion Conor Hughes take the honours after a stirring drive, although due to mechanical issues that was the last we’d see of him for the evening.
With the grid for the final, the opening round of the annual Hoosier Challenge Series, lined up in points order it was Hylands who quickly hit the front. He was never to be challenged as he took a straightforward victory to really set down a marker for the 2026 season. Ally Neill impressed on his way to second ahead of Stewart and James McKinney.

The all-action 1400 Stock Cars produced some super entertainment all evening, with Michael Logan’s aging Toyota Starlet just holding off World Champion Curtis Greer in the opening heat in his brand new Vauxhall Tigra. Heat two saw a couple of caution periods as the drama ramped up, with Greer this time powering home to victory ahead of Matthew Weir and Graham Meek.
The final had everything, with some sensational racing keeping the crowd on their toes. There were a couple of early cautions, for debris and then a big crash for Tommy McCrory on the pit bend. Greer looked set to capitalise on the field being closed up, but the bumpers went in hard and he got shovelled right down the order as Curtis McConkey stretched clear out front. Another caution however, when Logan was stranded on the back straight, brought Greer back into contention and he showed the rest a clean pair of heels to complete his double for the night in some style, having looked right out of it at one stage. Josh McKinstry and Weir completed the podium places. Neil Capper held sway out front in the opening Stock Rods heat, until a mid-race stoppage for Darragh O’Shea in trouble. At the double-file restart the outside lane really did get the jump, with Declan O’Connor taking the win ahead of Jamie Cardwell and Siobhan Martin. Junior Productions graduate Ryan Carroll impressed out front in heat two, until the repaired O’Shea took a welcome win ahead of Harry Minish and Sam McNeice.
Carroll again led the way for a time in the final, but this time it was the charging Cardwell who was coming fast. Jamie hit the front on lap 10, and despite some late pressure he held on for a deserved win. O’Shea and Ballymena stalwart Victor McAfee chased him home ahead of McNeice and O’Connor.

An excellent grid of Thunder Rods took to the track which bodes well for the season ahead. The opener fell to Cullybackey-based newcomer Jack Gault after a fine drive, as he led home Irish Champ James Goldie and James Steele. Heat two saw Liam Wilson first across the line but he was demoted to third for contact by the Race Steward, handing victory to Jason McMullan ahead of Steele.
Gault set the pace in the final ahead of Stephanie Hawthorne, with Wilson again making strides from the rear of the line up. Liam went second with just 4 laps to go, and quickly set about chasing down the leader. Wilson then managed to haul himself past Gault on the outside line on the very last lap, taking a splendid win by the narrowest of margins. Gault impressed as he finished off a very good evening with second spot ahead of McMullan and Steele.

Completing the programme were the young 10–16-year-old stars in the Junior Productions. Ninja Karts Irish Champion Jack Murphy once again impressed out front in heat one, leading for much of the way before Leyton Hughes dived past to take the flag. Unfortunately for Leyton he was adjudged to have jumped the start and copped a two-place penalty, as did Murphy for late contact. That handed the win to Jack Morrison ahead of Ryan Abernethy.
Heat two saw Hughes and Casey Cherry scythe through the field at blistering pace like a hot knife through butter. Both bettered the lap record in the process, but although Cherry was fastest on the timing screen it was Hughes who took the win.
The pair once again closely contested the final, which was brought under caution at a time for a huge home straight rollover for Scottish lass Candice Smart. She emerged unscathed as battle resumed between the lead duo. Cherry once again bettered the lap record, but it was National and British Champion Hughes who took his second win of the night after a very impressive evening’s racing. Cherry, Noah Teggart and Keegan Turtle were next home.

Added 20/04/2026

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

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

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

The 1600 Rookie Bangers entertained as always, with a great battle between Deano McGrath and Alan Haugh in heat one. Haugh got spun which allowed McGrath to take a fine win ahead of Lee Booth. Heat two was tremendous, with Gavin Gamble ahead until he was spun on the last lap by Steven Bolton. Bolton then withstood a last bend attack from Haugh to claim the flag ahead of Haugh and Josh Goligher.
The final saw Josh Anderson in the thick of the action as he had his car totally destroyed. McGrath had the lead until attacked by Bolton, who then lost out in the traffic. That put McGrath back ahead, but Haugh arrived with a last gasp move to grab a superb victory at the death ahead of McGrath. Bolton and Gamble tangled late on which gifted third to Goligher at the end of a great night’s racing from the formula. A very respectable seventeen Superstox gridded for heat one, with Andrew Murphy ahead until a mid-race caution period. That allowed Neil Hyndman through to give his new car it’s maiden win ahead of World Champ Steven Haugh and Stephen Stewart. Andrew Murphy then made no mistake in heat two, racing to a clear win over Conor Murphy and Hyndman.
The final was their race of the night, with Andrew Murphy ahead but being chased hard by Conor Murphy, Ethan Martin and Paddy Murphy. But Haugh was making big inroads from the rear of the grid, and he stole the lead on the last lap, just when it matters most. Steven took a superb win ahead of Andrew Murphy, Paddy Murphy and Martin.

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

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

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

Added 20/04/2026

Cirrus Plastics Continue Sponsorship of DMC National Hot Rods

Portadown based Cirrus Plastics have renewed their sponsorship of the National Hot Rods at DMC Race Promotions for 2026.

In one of the longest standing sponsorships in Ulster racing, the local National Hot Rod stars will once again contest the Cirrus Plastics DMC Race Promotions Points Championship in 2026.

The championship sees the domestic DMC points system used across all the National Hot Rods races at Tullyroan Oval and Aghadowey Oval in the calendar year of 2026. This includes the second half of 2025/26 World Series NI, the opening part of World Series 2026/27 plus the British Championship weekend as well.
The winner of the series will receive four new Hoosier slick tyres, plus the Cirrus Plastics trophy.

Cirrus Plastics will also be the headline sponsors of the National Hot Rods British Championship at Tullyroan Oval in September.

Cirrus Plastics are market leaders in the manufacture of polythene bags and film from their factory in Carn Industrial Estate in Portadown.

DMC Race Promotions would like to thank Alvin and Stewart Doak, both former National Hot Rods racers themselves, for their continued support of DMC Race Promotions.

The opening points scoring meeting in the Cirrus Plastic DMC Race Promotions Points Championship is this Saturday night, March 21st, at Tullyroan Oval.

Added 07/04/2026

2026 Fixtures Now Available

The 2026 DMC Race Promotions Fixture List is now available to view on the website under the 'Fixtures' tab.

(Whilst every care is taken in compiling this list, some changes may occur. Always check our website close to the meeting date for the latest fixture news).

Added 25/03/2026

Big Vans & 1600 Rookie Bangers Thrill At Tullyroan Winter Outing

2026 kicked off in style at Tullyroan Oval on Sunday, January 26th, with some fantastic action from the Big Van Bangers and 1600 Rookie Bangers entertaining the bumper crowd. Dublin’s Steven Reynolds took the Van-dalism 2026 title in the Big Vans, whilst Limavady’s Josh Goligher was the winner from a huge field in the 1600 Rookie Bangers New Year Challenge.
In the support formulas, 10-year-old Armagh lad Jack Murphy had a dream debut in the Junior Productions as he won the final, whilst the other feature race winners were Garvagh’s Dean Catherwood (Superstox) and Ballymena’s Mark McBurney (Lightning Rods).

The big crowd on hand enjoyed some great action from the Big Van Bangers, with Kieran McIvor leading the way in the Van-dalism main event. He was struggling with what seemed like a jammed throttle before he was taken out by Stevo Mc Grath, opening the way for Steven Reynolds to move through to claim the title win.
The destruction continued in the two Allcomers events, with Reynolds continuing his perfect day with victory in both races. There was action all around the raceway with some very crumpled vans indeed. The afternoon finished with the Destruction Derby, where McGrath claimed the silverware after destroying all in his path to be the last van moving. Stevo also claimed the Entertainer of the Day award, with Jack Bell being named Best Wreck for his mangled Transit.

Almost 40 cars came under starters orders for the 1600 Rookie Bangers New Year Challenge, and with such a packed raceway it was difficult to know where to look! Greg Liggan led the early stages before former ProStocks star Alan Haugh came through to take the win over Steven Bolton. Heat two was every bit as dramatic, with plenty of action on track. Josh Goligher was the winner this time, heading home Liggan and Stephen Boyd.
The final saw a titanic battle at the head of the field between Goligher and Liggan, with never a lot between them for much of the distance. Try as he did to spin the leader out, Liggan just couldn’t get the job done, which allowed Josh Goligher to take the win after a fantastic race. His brother, Irish Champion Lucas Goligher, snatched second on the line ahead of Liggan who took a creditable third. Five new young drivers joined the Junior Productions field for the first meeting of the year, and one of them, Ninja Karts Irish Champion Jack Murphy, led the opening heat for quite a distance. On the slippery track experience did tell in the end, with Ryan Berry charging through to win over Caolan Fegan and Casey Cherry. Murphy again impressed in heat two, with Berry again taking the win over Cherry and Andrew Hawe.
The final was all about Murphy though, as 10-year-old Jack, in his first meeting racing cars, stormed home to take the win and the trophy. It was a very popular victory indeed as he held his nerve out front, with Berry and Hawe competing the top three.

A pleasing field of Superstox took to the Tullyroan circuit, and it was Sean Mark and Dean Catherwood who shared the heat wins, as the star men battled hard amongst themselves and couldn’t make up ground to the front of the field.
The final saw Andrew Murphy ahead until he was passed by Mark, who them unfortunately got caught up in an Annaghmore Bend melee. That handed the lead to Catherwood, who duly completed his double for the day by the slenderest of margins from Murphy, with Jordan Robinson in third spot. Catherwood earns himself a rise to the star grade for his brace of wins.

Completing the programme were the Lightning Rods, which saw a number of cars eliminated after a big crash early in the opening heat. Stuart Agnew took victory in that one, before the rest of the afternoon belonged to Ballymena man Mark McBurney. He led home Agnew and Keith Kirwan in heat two, before taking the feature race by a distance from Agnew and Tom Hewitt.

Added 25/03/2026

McMillan On Song At Festive Aghadowey Outing

Kells driver Derek McMillan drove superbly at the Aghadowey Oval festive meeting on Saturday, December 27th, to guide his Lotus to a deserved National Hot Rods final win. A brace of top finishes during the day saw the Cirrus Plastics 2025 Points Championship for the formula go the way of Galgorm’s Shane Murray.
On an afternoon of red-hot action despite the freezing temperatures, Suffolk visitor Mason Carberry won the Ninja Karts Stars of Tomorrow Challenge, with the other feature race wins going the way of Dungannon’s Ally Neill (2.0 Hot Rods), Enniskillen’s Stevie McNiece (Stock Rods) and Kilrea’s Jason McMullan (Thunder Rods).

A very pleasing grid of 17 National Hot Rods came under starts orders for their opener, and it was regular Scottish visitor James Mooney who took victory over Allen Cherry’s new Ginetta and Shane Murray. Perth driver Mooney repeated the feat in heat two, taking another popular win ahead of Derek McMillan and Glenn Bell.
Johnny McCloy led the way early in the final, before McMillan hit the front on lap seven. By halfway Derek had Bell all over him like a rash, but the Lotus Exige pilot was equal to the onslaught and held on for the feature race win. Bell and Drew McKeown filled out the top three places.

A host of visiting driver from right across the British Isles boosted the Ninja Karts field to 30 karts, with the opening graded heat seeing Magherafelt’s Jordan Davis taking the win over Rowdy Grattan and Eddie Fowler. Heat two was another dramatic encounter as the young drivers coped admirably with the difficult track conditions, with National Champion George Cooper from Norfolk taking the chequers ahead of Mason Carberry and Rory Wilson.
The Stars of Tomorrow Challenge final was arguably the race of the day, with a whole posse of drivers jostling for the win. Cooper, Grattan and Ollie Williamson were right in the mix, before Scottish Champion Wilson hit the front. A superb move into turn one amongst backmarkers on the final lap from Carberry saw him grab the top spot, and the European Champion went on to take a fantastic victory over Wilson and Ralph Payne. World Champion Jason Secker from Scotland joined a very healthy field of 2.0 Hot Rods, with Ronan McNally and Ally Neill disputing the lead for much of the distance in heat one. A late race caution shook things up, with Irish Champion Jordan Rochford coming through to win from British Champion Conor Hughes and Secker. Heat Two saw Michael Woods take the win over Shane McMillan and Chris Hamill.
The final saw McMillan out front early on, before Neill powered ahead on lap six. Despite the closing attentions of Rochford over the closing stages, Ally held on to take a deserved win. Rochford, McMillan and Hughes completed the top finishers.

A packed field of Stock Rods, including a host of Tipperary Raceway visitors, saw teenager Harry Minish take the win in the first heat from Dan Shannon and Darragh O’Shea, before O’Shea improved to take the heat two ahead of British Champion Siobhan Martin and Victor McAfee.
The final saw a fabulous drive from teenage lady racer Lacey Bevan, as she led the lead for almost the whole distance before tangling with Minish within sight of the flag. That opened the door for experienced campaigner Stevie McNiece, who powered ahead for the win over Declan O’Connor and O’Shea.

The opening Thunder Rods heat saw a clear win for Jason McMullan, as he came home ahead of Nolan Wilson and Mark McLaughlin. Wilson went one better in heat two, taking victory over Adam McMullan and Jason McMullan.
An exciting final again saw Jason McMullan take the victory to earn him the silverware and an upgrade for the next meeting. Chasing him home were Wilson and an impressive drive from Jake Carson.

Added 25/03/2026

Sensational Season Finale At Aghadowey Oval

The 2025 oval racing season at Aghadowey Oval ended in sensational style with an outstanding championship meeting on Saturday night, November 1st. Three Irish Championship titles were on the line and they fell to Coleraine’s Willie Taggart (1300 Stock Cars), Randalstown’s Sam McNeice (Stock Rods) and Ballymena’s James Goldie (Thunder Rods). The National Hot Rods contested the Richard Turtle Memorial Cup and it went to Kells star Derek McMillan, whilst Antrim’s Leyton Hughes continued his fantastic run of form with another Junior Productions title win, this time the King of Aghadowey.

The 1300 Stock Cars Irish Championship will live long in the memory as one of the best races seen on the iconic Aghadowey circuit, a history that dates back over 50 years! Cullybackey’s World Champion Curtis Greer made the perfect break from pole position, only for an early caution period to cancel his advantage. At the resumption the bumpers went in hard and Curtis got shuffled down the order. The lead was changing constantly out front as the bumperwork continued, with so many lead changes it was hard to keep up! Gareth Halliday went ahead, then Graham Meek, then Halliday again and then Curtis McConkey for a few laps. Meek then came back to hit the top spot, before Willie Taggart appeared from the rear of the grid to top spot, with Meek then going back ahead once again. It was sensational stuff, with Meek then tracking Taggart over the last few laps, waiting for a last bend assault. Graham gave it everything, but Taggart was equal to his attack with the Coleraine man staying out front for a superb win over Meek, the recovering Greer, Fionn Donnelly and McConkey.
The reverse grid Irish Revenge race saw a win for McConkey despite the late attentions from Ty Richardson, before Greer completed the night with a win in the Allcomers race.

Always an eagerly anticipated event, the Stock Rods Irish Championship saw pole-sitter Sam McNeice immediately assume the top spot ahead of Harry Minish and Siobhan Martin. Jonny Cardwell had dropped down the order from his front row start but he was making strides back towards the front, relegating Martin and then Minish to go second. For a time it looked like he may get on terms with the leader, but out front it was all about McNeice who controlled the race from flag to flag to take his first Irish Championship success with ease. Cardwell, Minish, Martin and a superb drive from the evergreen Victor McAfee completed the top five.
The Irish Revenge race saw a thrilling race, as former World Champion Marc Morrell marked his recent return to the formula with a fine win, having held off advances from Martin and Darragh O’Shea. The National Hot Rods were contesting Round 6 of World Series NI with heat one falling to Kells racer Derek McMillan after an almighty scrap with Davy Clarke for the win. Heat two saw a welcome and well deserved win for Garvagh’s Johnny McCloy ahead of McMillan and NI Points Champion Jeff Riordan.
The final for the Richard Turtle Memorial Cup was a thriller, as McMillan worked his way ahead but soon had National Champion Ian Riordan on his case. Their battle slowed them up, which allowed Glenn Bell, John Christie and Jeff Riordan to join the fun for the closing stages. McMillan was equal to all their advances though, taking his second win of the night and the coveted Richard Turtle Memorial Cup. Ian Riordan and Christie filled out the top three.

Ballymena’s James Goldie, already a three times winner of the event, started from pole spot in the Thunder Rods Irish Championship and quickly moved clear of the pack. Many would have assumed that it was done and dusted at that stage, but step forward Liam Wilson who moved through to second and ran down Goldie’s advantage. Wilson tried inside and outside of the leader, but Goldie is a vastly experienced campaigner and he used everything in his locker to stay ahead. They had to negotiate heavy backmarking traffic near the end, but it was Goldie who hung on for his third Irish Championship win in succession. Wilson was great value in second ahead of Joshua McMullan and Jason Darragh.
The reversed grid Irish Revenge race was kindly sponsored by Autoclean of Limavady, and this time it was Wilson who did grab the honours after a fine drive through the field. McMullan and Alex Mailey completed the top three finishers.

The teenage Junior Productions aces raced for the King of Aghadowey title, with Ryan Berry taking the opening heat from Jack Morrison before heat two fell to Leyton Hughes from the impressive Charlie Johnston.
Hughes immediately hit the front from pole position in the final ahead of Berry and Johnston. But Casey Cherry and Morrison were coming through the pack like a steam train after trouble during the heats. As Hughes completed his dream season with another title win in some style, Cherry and Morrison filled the podium places ahead of Berry and Johnston.

Added 25/03/2026

It's 'JR' Time As Rochford and Robinson Land Irish Titles

A thrilling night of championship racing signalled the end of the 2025 season at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday night, October 25th. Jordan Rochford took victory in the 2.0 Hot Rods Irish Championship, whilst fellow Portadown driver Jordan Robinson successfully defended his Superstox Irish title. Dublin’s Deano McGrath won the Unlimited National Bangers Irish Championship, whilst Armagh’s Jack Murphy won the Ninja Karts Champion of Champions from a huge field of drivers. Completing the programme were the Lightning Rods where former World Champion Stuart Agnew (Magheralin) took the honours.

Jordan Rochford and teenager Callum Doak shared the front row for the 2.0 Hot Rods Irish Championship, with Rochford quickly settling into the lead. A great battle developed for second involving Doak, Andy Best, Conor Hughes and Adam Hylands. As Rochford cruised home to a fine victory, Hughes took a creditable second ahead of a fine drive from Hylands, with Best and Doak next home.
The reversed grid Irish Revenge race saw Michael Woods set the pace before Hylands swooped past on the outside nearing the end to claim a classy win.

There was an explosive start to the Superstox Irish Championship race, with World & European Champion Steven Haugh on pole spot with British and defending Irish champion Jordan Robinson alongside. Haugh was spun and collected by the pack before he even reached the green flag to end his race, with others getting involved to bring out a caution flag.
Neil Hyndman led the restart away, but he was quickly sent to the wall by Robinson as he took over out front. Hyndman and Jamie McCann were battling hard for second before both found trouble. As Robinson took the title for the second year in a row, Paddy Murphy came through for second ahead of a recovering McCann, with Gerard Hartley and Andrew Murphy next home.
A lively Irish Revenge race saw Stephen Stewart out front before McCann bumpered his way past to win from Stewart and Dean Catherwood.

A huge field of Ninja Karts from all across the British Isles took to the grid for the Hollytree Farm sponsored Champion of Champions event, with heat wins falling to England’s Henry Hunn, local star Jaxon Cairns and Scotland’s Rory Wilson.
The final was a superb race, with Cairns and Ollie Williamson having spells out front before Irish Champion Jack Murphy powered through to win over World Champion Dillon Murphy from Cork, England’s Mason Carberry and local driver Rowdy Grattan.
Earlier all the Ulster drivers who hadn’t won a race so far in 2025 took part in the Hollytree Farm Individual Achievement Award. Cahan Bradley quickly assumed the lead and took the win over William Brown and Matthew McNeill.

Stevo McGrath powered ahead in the Unlimited National Bangers Irish Championship race, before a puncture slowed his progress and his nephew Deano McGrath came through for the victory ahead of Steven Reynolds and an ailing Stevo.
Stevo McGrath that grabbed victory in both Allcomers races, before young star of the future Jake Reynolds won the Stephen Bannon Memorial Destruction Derby.

Teenager Tom Hewitt took a clear win in the opening Lightning Rods heat ahead of Dermot Tynan and Ian Hobson, before Mark McBurney claimed victory in heat two ahead of Tynan and Nigel Jackson.
The final saw Hewitt lead early on in the tricky conditions, before McBurney took up the running. But Stuart Angew was coming on strong, taking victory over McBurney and Hewitt.

Added 26/10/25

Irish Title Success For Goligher and Murphy At Action Packed Aghadowey

A thoroughly entertaining race meeting at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday night, October 11th, saw two excellent Irish Championship events topping the bill. Limavady’s World Champion Lucas Goligher took the win in a dramatic 1600 Rookie Bangers Irish decider, whilst Co Armagh’s Jack Murphy claimed victory in a keenly contested Ninja Karts Irish Championship. The support events saw a heat and final double for Richhill’s Rob Barnett in the 2.0 Hot Rods, Portadown’s World Champ Steven Haugh took a hat-trick in the Superstox and Limavady driver Liam Wilson also took a brace of wins in the Thunder Rods category.

The 1600 Rookie Bangers have become a must-see for the fans in 2025, and a big grid came under starters orders for their Irish Championship. Stephen Boyd and Steven Bolton shared the front row on points collected during the season, and it was chaotic from the off as Boyd took up the running from Lucas Goligher and Aaron McGraw. There were a number of stoppages, for loose wheels and debris and then for a big crash on turn four. Boyd unfortunately was eliminated at this stage for not stopping under the red flags, which elevated Goligher to the lead. Lucas held on through the carnage to land the win, with McGraw and Ryan Nixon filling out the podium places.
Two excellent support races followed, which saw plenty of action with Boyd claiming victory in the first ahead of Josh Goligher. The second saw a home straight rollover for Jack Bell, as McGraw took victory. Second place in this one for Boyd was enough for him to secure a deserved victory in the NI Points Championship.

The young stars in the Ninja Karts contested their biggest domestic race of the year, the Irish Championship, with Ollie Williamson and Jack Murphy on the front row of the grid. Early on there was a superb five car dice for the lead, with Jaxon Cairns hitting the front. But Murphy was coming back strong, and he swooped ahead and raced home to take the Irish title in some style. Cairns took a very creditable second after a great drive, with Cahan Bradley also impressing on his way to third spot ahead of William Brown and Ethan McQuillan.
The first Allcomers race was lined up in reverse to the Irish Championship grid, and after an early crash caused a stoppage, Murphy once again showed his class to power through to victory over Williamson and Tommy Johnston. The final race saw a graded start, from which Frankie Stirling drove his heart out to take a fantastic win over Eddie Fowler and Rowdy Grattan. Rob Barnett has shown some great pace of late in the 2.0 Hot Rods, and he took their opening heat from Shane McMillan and Chris Hamill. The roles were reversed in heat two, with McMillan this time the victor over Barnett, with Hamill once again in third ahead of Callum Doak.
Barnett edged out ahead in the final, but as the laps dwindled down McMillan and Hamill led much of the field onto his rear bumper. It was an enthralling final few laps, with Barnett just holding off McMillan to seal his second win of the night. Most eyes were on Adam Hylands though, as the former World title holder made an audacious attempt on the outside line. He came from nowhere to snatch a fantastic third on the line, ahead of Hamill and Doak.

A well subcribed field of Thunder Rods were on top form all evening, with Sam Dougherty pulling clear to win the opener ahead of Adam McMullan and Liam Irwin. Heat two saw McMullan ahead early on before Liam Wilson came storming through to claim the win over Jordan Nicholl and Norman Purdy.
Tyler McMaster and Alex Milligan had spells out front early in the final, before Irwin settled into the top spot and invited allcomers to take him on. Jason Darragh, Purdy and Wilson were right there on his tail, before Liam was bundled wide and out of contention. Darragh took the flag but was penalised for his part in Irwin’s demise, which handed the second win of the evening to Wilson from Mark McLaughlin and Darragh.

Steven Haugh sported the gold roof of Superstox World Champion for the first time after his big win last month, and he stormed through to take the opening heat win ahead of Dean Catherwood and Sean Mark. Mark led heat two for a time, but he had no answer to Haugh who claimed his second win of the evening over Mark and Catherwood.
There was an early caution in the final with Jonathan Crawford stuck in the wall on the Brown Trout Bend, and on the resumption Haugh lost a lot of ground to the leaders. Neil Hyndman was the man out front, but despite his earlier setback, Haugh arrived on his tail on the final lap, nudging him wide to complete a faultless hat-trick of wins. Hyndman tried to come back on the last bend but had to settle for second, ahead of Mark and Gregg Hyndman.

Added 25/03/2026

Tullyroan Title Wins for Bell, Hughes and Houston

Portadown National Hot Rods ace Glenn Bell continued his recent run of superb form at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday night, winning both Round 5 of World Series NI and the Ulster Championship.
There were also two Irish Championships up for grabs, where both Waringstown’s Ross Houston and Antrim’s Leyton Hughes successfully defended their Irish crowns in the Lightning Rods and Junior Productions respectively. In the other divisions on show, Portadown’s Adam Hylands took a heat and final double in the 2.0 Hot Rods, whilst Larne’s Samuel Wilson completed a similar brace of wins in the Stock Rods.

Conditions were still slightly damp for the first National Hot Rods race of the night, and it was Garvagh’s Johnny McCloy who drove superbly to take the win over Allen Cherry and Glenn Bell. From that point on the night belonged to Bell, winning heat two on the outside line in his rapid Ginetta from McCloy and Jeff Riordan.
The Final of World Series NI Round 5 saw McCloy lead until relegated by Riordan, but Bell was soon on the scene and swept past with ease to take the victory from Riordan and Derek Martin, the latter having his best run in some time. The meeting concluded with the Ulster Championship where Bell conducted the draw and put himself to the rear of the line up, from where he still won at a canter from John Christie and Shane Murray.

Nigel Jackson and Ross Houston shared the front row for the Lightning Rods Irish Championship, with Houston getting a fantastic drive from the outside line to lead the way early on. Jackson pressed him for the full duration of the event, but just couldn’t find a gap or force Ross into an error. Houston came home to retain his Irish crown after a fine drive ahead of Jackson, Stuart Agnew and Jake Morgan.
The Irish Revenge race saw a win for Morgan over Agnew and Houston.
The Junior Productions Irish Championship was another keenly fought event, with Leyton Hughes and Ryan Berry sharing the front row on aggregate point from across the season. The duo had a great battle early on before a caution period, only to resume the fight once the greens came back out, and with Jack Morrison now joining in too! It could have gone wither way as the laps ticked down, but Hughes kept hid cool and held on to retain his Irish title ahead of Morrison and Berry in the closest of finishes.
The reverse grid Irish Revenge race saw a fantastic drive from Ryan Carroll as he took the win from Keegan Turtle and Hughes.

After an ill-disciplined affair the previous weekend, it was great to see some fantastic racing this time around from the 2.0 Hot Rods. Shane McMillan led heat one until Adam Hylands found a way past, and he had to use all his experience to hold off Jordan Rochford over the closing laps to take the win. Heat two again saw McMillan set the early pace, but this time it was Rob Barnett who broke clear to take a well deserved and popular win over McMillan and James McKinney.
Approaching half distance in the final Hylands put a superb outside pass on McMillan to take the lead, and the formula Grand Slam winner held on to take his second win and announce his return to the scene in style. Rochford, the impressive Barnett and McMillan were next home.

Once again a full field of Stock Rods put on some tight, competitive racing. Neil Capper and Aaron Dilly battled out front in heat one before Callum Magill stormed past to take the win over Dilly and Rab Preston. Capper and Magill had spells out front in heat two, but this time it was Samuel Wilson who came home ahead, winning from Siobhan Martin and Jonny Cardwell.
An early yellow in the final changed the complexion of the race and brought the higher graders into play early. Wilson was once again the star of the show, pulling clear to record his second win of the night and seal a return to the star grade. Magill, Harry Minish and Sam McNeice completed the top places.

Added 06/10/25

Glory For Giles In 1300 Stock Cars Irish Open

A sensational, sunny Sunday at Tullyroan Oval saw English visitor Joe Giles claim the feature event of the afternoon, the Irish Open Championship for 1300 Stock Cars. The bulging entry produced a superb spectacle with some of the best contact racing seen at the venue for some time.
In the other classes in action at the McKinney Safety Centre of Strabane sponsored meeting, recently crowned British Champion Glenn Bell was victorious in Round 4 of the National Hot Rods World Series NI, whilst fellow Portadown driver Jordan Rochford claimed the Tullyroan Challenge Cup in the 2.0 Hot Rods. Meath’s Jake Morgan took an accomplished victory in the Lightning Rods, with Limavady’s Liam Wilson the Thunder Rods victor.

A huge field of almost forty 1300 Stock Cars took to the grid for their opening qualifying heat, and the action came thick and fast right from the off. Norfolk’s Jake Banwell led initially before Kent star Jacob Bromley edged clear to take the victory over Scottish Champion Jamie Stewart and Banwell. Heat two was every bit as action packed, as another English duo of Joe Giles and Darren Terry-Brand traded blows, and the lead, out front. Terry-Brand went in with a last bend hit, but he just failed to unseat Giles from the top spot by the slenderest of margins in a race that also saw a rollover for Scotsman Stewart.
A win and a third saw Bromley annexe pole position for the Irish Open Championship final from Giles, and the race kicked off with a huge turn one shunt which brought about a stoppage. On the resumption the title battle came down to Giles and Bromley, with Giles hitting the front and edging clear to land the title in great fashion ahead of Bromley. Cullybackey’s World Champion Curtis Greer came through for third ahead of Terry-Brand, Curtis Tebbenham and Ryan Jordan.

There was an early stoppage in National Hot Rods heat one, as NI Champion Jeff Riordan found himself in the wall on turn three. Once they got going again it was his brother, Ian Riordan, who romped home to the win over Shane Murray and Glenn Bell. National Champion Ian repeated the feat in heat two, winning at a canter again from Bell and Jordan McCann.
The final again saw Ian Riordan build quite an advantage early on, but Bell soon set his sights on reducing his deficit. With the laps disappearing, he arrived on Riordan’s bumper before pulling off a sensational outside swoop to claim the victory in superb style. Riordan, John Christie, Murray and McCann filled the places.
It wasn’t the best day at the office for the 2.0 Hot Rods formula, with some ill-disciplined driving seeing a number of penalties handed out and some cars unfortunately damaged. British Champion Conor Hughes pulled off a great pass on early leader Jake Devlin to win the opening heat, before former World Champion Andy Best took heat two ahead of James McKinney and Callum Doak.
There was an early crash in the final which eliminated some runners, with Jordan Rochford hitting the front. Hughes was soon running him down having started down the pack, and despite Rochford looking to be in some mechanical difficulty he held on to take the Tullyroan Challenge Cup ahead of Hughes. Aaron Stewart inherited third spot after both the third and fourth placed drivers over the line were disqualified in the post-race analysis.

Jake Morgan was first over the line in the opening Lightning Rods heat, but the teenager was penalised for contact which handed the win to Mark McBurney over Ross Houston. Heat two saw a clear win for another teenager in Tom Hewitt, as he took the flag ahead of Nigel Jackson in a chaotic race.
The final saw Morgan quickly hit the front after just four laps, and the Meath driver held sway all the way home to win from Houston and Stuart Agnew.

Completing the programme were the Thunder Rods, where Jason Darrgh took the opening heat win after first across the line Liam Wilson was penalised by the Stewards. Heat two saw Adam McMullan and newcomer Jack Gault clear out front until they hit fluid on the track and skittled into the wall, bringing out the yellow flags. At the resumption it was Joshua McMullan who took the lead and the win over James Goldie and Joe Largey.
The final saw a repaired Adam McMullan out front early on but this time Wilson was on a charge, and he took a clear win to make up for his penalty earlier in the afternoon. Darragh, Goldie and Adam McKinney chased him home.

Many thanks to our meeting sponsors, McKinney Safety Centre

Added 29/09/25

Super September Speedweekend At Tullyroan Oval

A superb Speedweekend at Tullyroan Oval saw a bumper crowd treated to some spectacular championship oval racing. Birches ace Steven Haugh added the Superstox World Championship to his ever-growing CV after a great drive, whilst Kent’s John Smith successfully retained his Stock Rods World title in an ultra competitive event.
The National Hot Rods were also in championship action, with Portadown’s Glenn Bell taking a record breaking fifth British title in his Ginetta, whilst the young 6-11 year olds in the Ninja Karts contested the Internations Cup which fell to Suffolk’s Mason Carberry.

Superstox
Yorkshire’s Michael Green was on pole position for the 64th running of the Superstox Championship of the World, sponsored by Mk2 Escort Shells and Spares, and with the atmosphere at fever pitch in the stadium he quickly assumed the lead. A big crash brought proceedings to a halt, and on the resumption Steven Haugh, the current European Champion, made his move and powered ahead. Steven was never to be caught, coming home to a rousing reception from the home crowd as he claimed the stunning trophy and gold roof for the next 12 months. Loughgall’s Jamie McCann came through for a creditable second ahead of Essex star Ian Beaumont and defending champion Jordan Robinson.
The World Revenge reversed grid race saw a sublime performance from Green, slicing through the field to take an outstanding win. The Internations Cup Final rounded off Saturday’s action, and it was to be one of the races of the weekend! Green led but after a number of cautions he was bundled to the wall by Beaumont and Robinson and his race was run. Robinson went on to take the win ahead of an impressive Dean Catherwood and Scotsman Kenny McKenzie.
Sunday’s racing for the Irish Open Championship saw the heats shared by Catherwood and Beaumont, but Scottish Points Champion Aaron Riddell claimed pole position for the final and romped home to a great win over Beaumont, Catherwood and Haugh.

Stock Rods
Thirty-six Stock Rods from all corners of the oval racing scene arrived to do battle for their World Championship, sponsored by Cirrus Plastics. The qualifying heats were shared by Dan Shannon, Darragh O’Shea and Mark Foster, with aggregate points seeing O’Shea deservedly take pole position over defending champion John Smith. Smith drove a blinding first two laps, using the outside line to superbly power ahead into the lead. It was a hugely competitive final, but Smith used all his experience to stay ahead all the way to the chequered flag to retain his title in fine style. Shannon came through for a great second ahead of England’s Stuart Smyth and Scotsman Sean Naismith.

Sunday’s racing was for the Irish Masters, with heats wins falling to Jonny Cardwell, Scottish lass Terri Linden and teenager Harry Minish. The final was all about Naismith, as he pulled effortlessly clear to win emphatically from Declan O’Connor and Minish.
National Hot Rods
Saturday saw some sublime racing from the fastest cars on the local tracks, the National Hot Rods, as they contested four qualifying heats for the British Championship, sponsored by Cirrus Plastics. Crumlin’s John Christie, Norwich driver Perry Cooke, Scotland’s World Champion Robert McDonald and Portadown’s Glenn Bell shared the heat wins, with Bell the one who claimed pole spot for Sunday’s British Final.
Despite a number of early cautions and the subsequent 2-wide restarts, Bell held his cool to edge clear and take a record-breaking fifth British Championship title of his career after never putting a foot wrong all weekend. Christie was a gallant runner up, with McDonald coming home third after a stirring drive from down the grid.
McDonald then won the Tullyroan Challenge Cup after a great outside pass on fellow Scot Gordon Alexander, before McDonald again took the win in the inaugural NI Open ahead of Christie and Shane Murray.

Ninja Karts
Providing some superb action were the Ninja Karts, and the kids were racing for the first ever Internations Cup which will become their ‘fifth major’. With a 39-car entry the track was more than busy, as heat wins fell to local star Jack Murphy and English pair Ralph Payne and Mason Carberry.
The Internations Cup final, sponsored by Cirrus Plastics, saw a great battle between East Anglian duo Carberry and George Cooper, with Carberry just grabbing the win ahead of Cooper and Henry Hunn for an all-English top three.

A great DMC Gold Cup race then fell to Scotland’s Rory Wilson ahead of England’s Johnny Wheeler and Scotland’s Alfie Shevill. The final race of the weekend was for the Keir Millar Memorial Trophy, and important race for the formula held in memory of the former driver who always competed superbly at Tullyroan Oval. It was a top quality race befitting Keir’s memory, with Carberry coming home to successfully defend the impressive trophy ahead of Cooper and Wilson.

Many thanks to our meeting sponsors, Cirrus Plastics and Mk2 Escort Shells & Spares

Added 22/09/25