Goldie Secures Third Irish Title At Aghadowey Finale

Ballymena driver James Goldie drove a fantastic race at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday evening to claim his third Irish Championship title in the Thunder Rods formula. Dungannon’s Derek Martin claimed victory in the National Hot Rods final for the Richard Turtle Memorial Cup, whilst Cullybackey’s Curtis Greer was crowned King of Aghadowey in the 1300 Stock Cars. The other feature race winners were Randalstown’s Sam McNeice (Stock Rods) and Portadown’s Jack Morrison in the Junior Productions.

Lined up in points order from throughout the season, David Reynolds and James Goldie shared the front row for the Thunder Rods Irish Championship. Goldie just got the jump when the green flag came out to lead them away, as it all kicked off behind with two pre-race favourites in Reynolds and Daniel Rodgers finding themselves on the sidelines with barely a lap done. Goldie controlled the race from the front, and even with Jason Darragh filling his mirrors late on, James sped home to successfully defend his Irish title. Darragh was a gallant runner up, with Neil Capper next home after a number of penalties were handed down for technical issues at post race scrutineering.
The reverse grid Irish Revenge race saw a popular win for Graham Young, and afterwards Reynolds was also presented with his NI Points Championship Trophy. This also earned him the William Bradley Perpetual Cup and a cash bonus from championship sponsor William, a big race fan who has missed just two race meetings at Aghadowey since it opened in 1971.

The opening National Hot Rods heat was a superb race, with Jordan McCann just holding off an onslaught from Allen Cherry and Dean McCrory to take the win. McCann was again the winner of heat two, this time ahead of former World Champion Derek Martin and McCrory.
The final, Round six of World Series NI and the Richard Turtle Memorial Cup, saw Martin quickly demote McCann to hit the front but he soon had a posse chasing him down. McCrory and Adam Maxwell gave it their all to get past, but Derek held resolute to take the flag and the silverware. McCrory, Jeff Riordan, Cherry and Shane Murray filled out the places.

Although down in numbers, the 1300 Stock Cars were as hard hitting as ever. Returnee Bradley Woods took the opening heat win ahead of Curtis Greer and Graham Meek, before usual Stock Rod pilot Joe Largey raced through to win heat two ahead of Woods and Jon McQuillan.
The King of Aghadowey final paired Woods and Greer at the front of the grid, and the opening laps saw some excellent stock car action as they, along with Largey, traded blows and places lap after lap. Greer eventually got the break to take the win over Woods and Largey.

The Stocks Rods provided close and competitive racing all evening, with Sam Wilson just holding off Sam McNeice and Callum Magill to win the first heat. Magill then improved in heat two, taking a clear victory over Darragh O’Shea and McNeice.
Samuel Murphy set the pace early in the final, before McNeice made his move just before half distance. Sam powered clear to take the chequered flag ahead of Murphy and Mark Foster.

There was a great battle at the head of the field in the opening Junior Productions heat, with Jamie Hadden just getting the verdict ahead of Andrew Hawe. Heat two saw a great drive from the star grade for Callum Doak, as he raced past Hawe and Charlie Johnston to win ahead of Leyton Hughes and Harry Minish.
The final was another super race, with a three way battle for the lead late on between Hawe, Ryan Jackson and Jack Morrison. Jackson looked to have the run on Hawe for the lead, only for the two to clash which opened the door for Morrison to race through for a very popular victory indeed. Jackson held on for second ahead of Alfie Litter in third.

Irish Titles For McKeown, Bowman and Houston At Tullyroan

A fantastic last meeting of the season at a packed Tullyroan Oval served up some great entertainment. There were three Irish Championship titles on the line, which fell the way of Bleary’s Drew McKeown (2.0 Hot Rods), England’s Kieran Bowman (Unlimited National Bangers) and Waringstown’s Ross Houston (Lightning Rods). In the other formulas on show, James McCann from Loughgall picked up both the meeting final and the Spedeworth TV/NIOvalTV Series spoils in the Superstox, whilst Enniskillen’s Stevie McNiece emerged victorious in the Stock Rods.
2.0 Hot Rods
Jordan Rochford and Drew McKeown headed a star studded field of 2.0 Hot Rods for their Irish Championship in wet conditions. McKeown got the drive from the wide outside line at the start to quickly move ahead. As Drew extended his lead, a great scrap for second developed between defending Champion Conor Hughes and Wayne Woolsey. The race was all about McKeown though, as he revelled in the difficult conditions to take a commanding Irish title victory ahead of Woolsey, with Rochford inheriting third after Hughes was docked two places for contact.

The reversed grid Irish Revenge race saw Aaron Stewart impress on his way to victory ahead of McKeown and Rochford.
Unlimited National Bangers
A welcome resurgence in the local National Bangers scene saw 26 cars come to grid for the Irish Championship. The action came thick and fast, as Dave Haugh hit the front with Kieran Bowman and Gordy McKee giving chase. Defending champion Stevo McGrath tried to remove Haugh on a number of occasions and then held him up long enough to allow Bowman through to snatch the Irish title win. Kieran added the Irish spoils to his Shamwreck crown from earlier in the season, with Haugh and McKee completing the podium. The race will long be remembered for a huge shot by Marty McKiernan on Tony Gillespie’s Limo on the Tullyroan Bend.
McKiernan was again well involved in the action in the first Allcomers race, with McKee taking the win over Haugh in this one.
The second Allcomers race was another cracker, with McKee ahead until he was spun aside by Bowman on the final bend, with Kieran taking the win over Haugh and the recovered McKee. The Stephen Bannon Memorial Destruction Derby saw a great event boil down to just Haugh and McKiernan left, with Haugh the last man moving to take the coveted trophy. McKiernan deservedly took the Entertainer of the Day award.

Ross Houston and James McKinney battled hard at the start of the Lightning Rods Irish Championship, before Houston edged clear and Stuart Agnew stepped forward to challenge McKinney. Houston was well clear by now and took a fine Irish Championship win ahead of Agnew, McKinney and Conor Doherty.
The Irish Revenge race saw Agnew just hold on for the win ahead of the flying Nigel Jackson, with Houston and McKinney next home.
Superstox
Steven Haugh led much of the opening Superstox heat before being nudged wide on the last bend by Jordan Robinson, as Jordan powered through to take the win in a repeat of the epic finish to the recent Irish Championship. From then on the night belonged to Jamie McCann, as he got the better of a great heat two battle with Robinson and Haugh to take a great win.

The meeting final saw Haugh lead once again, only for McCann this time to pounce late on to snatch a last gasp victory, with Haugh, Robinson and Dean Catherwood filling out the places. The short, sharp Spedeworth TVNIOvalTV Series ShootOut Final then saw Haugh and McCann battle once again, with Jamie taking the win over Haugh and Catherwood, with all three receiving vouchers courtesy of the series sponsors.
Stock Rods
Rounding off the programme were the Stock Rods, where Samuel Murphy took a deserved win in the opening heat over Callum Magill and Siobhan Martin, before Joe Largey enjoyed the tricky conditions to take heat two ahead of Magill and Sam McNeice.
The final was another tremendous race, with Murphy leading early on until reeled in and overhauled by the rapid Stevie McNiece. As Stevie took the win and the trophy, the impressive Victor McAfee, Sam McNeice and Martin chased him home.

World Champions To The Fore At Aghadowey

Two Irish Championship showdowns topped the programme at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday night, October 12th, with two local World Champions coming through to lift the Irish title honours. Portadown’s Jordan Robinson took the Superstox title in an absolutely stunning finish, whilst Ahoghill’s Lewis Hazlett was crowned Irish Champion in the Ninja Karts.
The Hoosier Challenge Series Grand Final for 2.0 Hot Rods fell to Bleary’s Drew McKeown who went through the night’s card unbeaten, whilst Drogheda’s Fionn Donnelly won an exciting 1300 Stock Cars Ulster Championship. World Cup holder Stuart Agnew was victorious in the Lightning Rods final, whilst there was a maiden victory for Castlerock’s Alex Mailey in the Thunder Rods.

Steven Haugh and Lee Davison shared the front row for the Superstox Irish Championship, and at the second time of asking it was Davison who powered ahead from Jamie McCann early on. Just as it looked like it was all sewn up for Davison, he clashed with the backmarking Neil Hyndman, sending the leader spinning down the order!
Haugh sensationally now hit the front, but World Champ Jordan Robinson was now chasing him down having dropped to almost last off the line with some kind of issue. Jordan edged closer, until he was within striking distance of Haugh on the last lap. With a backmarker in the mix, both cars half spun and headed to the wall on the final bend as Robinson launched his attack. The crowd held their breath as the two recovered, with Robinson winning the drag race to the line by inches in a sensational finish! Haugh was a very worthy runner up ahead of McCann and the recovering Davison.

First white or yellow grade finisher Davy Clarke received a cash prize from Pit Marshal Ian McClelland, before McCann then went on to win the Irish Revenge race ahead of Hyndman and Haugh.

Ollie Williamson got the drop at the start of the Ninja Karts Irish Championship, a race which was staged in torrential rain. Ollie led Jack Murphy, but World Champion Lewis Hazlett was quickly into his stride and he powered past them to take up the running and claim another major title to add to the World, National and NI Points Championships that he has already won this season. Murphy drove a great race for second, ahead of a fine run from Austin Grattan in third. Tommy Johnston and Keegan Turtle were next home.
Cahan Bradley and Grattan had spells out front in the reversed grid Irish Revenge race, but once again Hazlett came through with a late surge to win ahead of Grattan and Murphy.

A smaller than usual field of 2.0 Hot Rods were on hand, with Drew McKeown making the most of the poor conditions to run down Ally Neill and go on to win the opening heat ahead of Wayne Woolsey. Drew repeated the feat in the second heat, winning with ease again ahead of Aaron Stewart.
The Grand Final of the Hoosier Challenge Series then saw the cars gridded on aggregate points order from the series. McKeown really had his car dialled in perfectly to the slippery conditions, winning from pole position at a breeze ahead of Jordan Rochford and Woolsey. The top three all received race tyres and trophies courtesy of series sponsors Hoosier Tyres UK.

There was a clear win for National Champion Robbie Wright in the opening heat of the 1300 Stock Cars, as he took the flag ahead of Curtis Greer and Josh McKinstry. The second heat was action packed too as Greer and Wright had a major falling out, with Gareth Halliday taking the win on the road but copping a penalty for a jump start. That gifted the win to Fionn Donnelly ahead of McKinstry.

The Ulster Championship final started in explosive fashion, with Wright putting Greer away in no uncertain terms on the Brown Trout Bend. Up front Donnelly was revelling in the conditions, taking the Ulster title win ahead of Halliday and McKinstry.

The opening Thunder Rods heat fell to Joshua McMullan after a fine drive ahead of Robert Nicholl and Nolan Wilson. Wilson then led heat two before James Steele powered ahead to take the victory over newcomer Keatyn Hogg and a flying Daniel Rodgers.

The final was all about Alex Mailey, the novice grader quickly disappearing into the distance to take an impressive win over Liam Wilson and Rodgers. Despite the best efforts of Rodgers and James Goldie, Ballymena racer David Reynolds was able to hang on to win the season long NI Points Championship.

Strabane’s James McKinney drove a storming race on the outside line to win the opening Lightning Rods heat from World Cup holder Stuart Agnew and Ross Houston. McKinney then repeated the dose in heat two, taking another great win once again ahead of Agnew and Houston.

Agnew got the early break in the feature race, and that was enough for him to take the silverware home to Magheralin. Houston, McKinney and Mark Corry filled out the places.

Irish Title Glory for Hughes and Crawford

Championship nights at Tullyroan Oval always produce some sensational racing, and last Saturday (October 5th) was no exception. Nutts Corner driver Mark Crawford claimed the Stock Rods Irish Championship title whilst the Junior Productions Irish title went the way of Antrim’s Leyton Hughes. Cork’s Ian Riordan claimed the spoils in National Hot Rods World Series NI Round 5, whilst Ballymena’s Shane Murray took their Ulster Championship.
The Ninja Karts Champion of Champions fell to Hampshire’s European Champion Charlie Weston, whilst Birches ace Lee Davison completed a heat and final double in the Superstox.

The Stock Rods Irish Championship was lined up in points scoring order from across the season, and pole sitter Dan Shannon took up the running ahead of Jonny Cardwell and Mark Crawford. Shannon threatened to edge clear but just couldn’t break free from his rivals. The top two then clashed into turn one, a mistake from the leader then seeing him bundled wide and out of contention.
Following a lengthy Stewards Enquiry, on the road winner Cardwell was demoted to third for his part in Shannon’s demise, which elevated a delighted Crawford to become Irish Champion. Stevie McNeice was a gallant runner up ahead of Cardwell in third.
The Irish Revenge reverse grid race saw a clear win for Siobhan Martin ahead of Mark Foster and Samuel Murphy.

There were National Hot Rods World Series NI debuts for Allen Cherry and James Ginty, as Derek McMillan celebrated his recent return to action with a great win over Ian Riordan in heat one. Riordan then stepped up to the mark, taking heat two ahead of his brother Jeff Riordan for a family one-two. Ian then stamped his authority all over the final too, winning ahead of McMillan and Nigel McCauley.
The night finished with the 2024 Ulster Championship, lined up on lap times from the meeting. Front row starters Jeff Riordan and Shane Murray jousted throughout the event, which included a competition caution and a two-wide restart at five laps to go. Murray got the nod to win ahead of J Riordan and I Riordan.

The Junior Productions contested their biggest event of the domestic calendar, the Irish Championship. Leyton Hughes and Callum Doak shared the front row ahead of defending champion Matthew Weir and Andrew Russell. Hughes made the perfect start and began to edge clear but Doak kept him honest all the way through the race. Callum could never get just close enough to mount a challenge, and after driving the perfect race Leyton raced home to the double chequered flags and the Irish Championship title. Doak, Weir, Ryan Berry and Dylan Fegan completed the top finishers.
The reverse grid Irish Revenge race saw British Champion Casey Cherry first home but he was docked for contact, handing the win to recent form man Alfie Litter ahead of Doak and Cherry.

The opening race for the Ninja Karts was the Hollytree Rare Breeds Farm Individual Achievement Award for those drivers who haven’t won a race in 2024. Tommy Johnston hit the front but was overhauled for the win in the closing stages by a flying Rowdy Grattan. Johnston, Eddie Fowler and Cahan Bradley were next home.
A number of visitors from across the UK then joined in for the 2024 Champion of Champions event, with European Champion Charlie Weston winning the opening qualifier ahead of Mason Carberry and Parker Smith for an all-English top three. Belfast’s Ethan McQuillan restored home honour with a great victory after a fine drive in heat two, ahead of World Champion Lewis Hazlett and Austin Grattan for an all-Ulster top three!
The Hollytree Rare Breeds Farm Champion of Champions final saw Weston quickly hit the front and he drove a commanding race to take a great victory. A storming places battle fell to Austin Grattan ahead of McQuillan and Jack Murphy.

The evening’s contact racing was provided by the Superstox, with Brian Lammey and Ethan Martin contesting the lead of the opening heat before Jamie McCann powered through to win over Lee Davison and Martin. Heat two saw Davison go one better with the win this time, ahead of Jordan Robinson and McCann. The final again saw Martin lead the way until Irish Champion Davison moved ahead to complete his double for the night ahead of Robinson and McCann

Big Aghadowey Wins For Rochford and Goligher

A dramatic evening of stock car racing at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday entertained the local fans, with the prestigious Mervyn Emerson Memorial Trophy for 2.0 Hot Rods falling to Portadown driver Jordan Rochford. The Irish Championship for Rookie Bangers went to Limavady’s John Goligher after a fantastic dice, whilst Ballymena’s James Goldie came out on top in a controversial Thunder Rods King of Aghadowey event.
Other feature race winners were Randalstown’s Sam McNeice in the Stock Rods and Alfie Litter (Portadown) in the Junior Productions.

The local 2.0 Hot Rod stars arrived for the second staging of the Mervyn Emerson Memorial Trophy, with an enhanced prize fund thanks to ABC Recovery, Countrystyle Burgers, GA Autos and Loanends Commercial Repairs. The opening qualifier saw Mervyn’s brother Stephen kick off his defence of the title in great style, winning over Ally Neill and Andy Best. Former World Champion Jordan Rochford then took the second heat, just holding off Drew McKeown and Conor Hughes.
Rochford assumed the lead from pole in the final, and despite the best efforts of Hughes and McKeown to get on terms, Jordan was delighted to take a popular victory. Hughes, McKeown and Stephen Emerson completed the top four.

The first event of the evening for the Rookie Bangers was the 2024 Irish Championship, lined up in season points order. Defending champ Stephen Boyd led early on, until challenged strongly by Lucas Goligher. Goligher went ahead, only for Boyd to come back at him hard. As the two fought it out, John Goligher nipped past them both to take the title in some style. Lucas Goligher made it a father/ son one-two with Boyd, Ashley Bodenham and Josh Goligher next home.
Two very entertaining Allcomers events followed the championship race, with the first going to Bodenham over John Goligher, before Leonard Dunn took Allcomers 2 ahead of Boyd.

An excellent grid of Thunder Rods contested the King of Aghadowey, with Irish Champion James Goldie taking the opener ahead of David Reynolds. Heat two saw Josh McMullan take the chequered flag ahead of Matthew Nicholl and Daniel Rodgers.
Defending King of Aghadowey Andrew McLean set the pace in the final, tracked every lap by Rodgers in second. The leader was then baulked by the backmarking Amos McCloy, resulting in contact from behind which spun McLean out. Rodgers took the lead by in the final analysis was disqualified for his part in McLean’s demise, handing the win to the fortunate Goldie ahead of Lee McCloy and Reynolds.

The ultra-competitive Stock Rods saw some excellent race action, with Larne’s Sam Wilson taking the opening heat win over Mark Crawford by the slenderest of margins on the line. Heat two saw Cork’s Darragh O’Shea took a welcome and deserved win over Sam McNeice and Jonny Cardwell.
In the final Aaron Dilly set the early pace, but it was all about McNeice in this one, as Sam swooped ahead and on to a great victory. Dan Shannon, Callum Magill and Crawford completed the places.

Alfie Litter took the opening heat win in the Junior Productions, just holding off his cousin Callum Doak and Leyton Hughes. The second heat saw a runaway victory for Ryan Abernethy Jnr, as he took the flag ahead of Hughes and Doak.
Litter hit the front early in the final, and he held on to complete his double for the night despite the efforts of the fast charging Doak. Jack Morrison, Andrew Russell and Ryan Berry filled out the top five.

Super Speedweekend at Tullyroan Oval

Scotland’S National Hot Rods World Champion Robert McDonald was on top form at the Tullyroan Oval Speedweekend, claiming victory in both the British Championship and the Leslie Dallas Memorial Trophy. On a weekend packed full of championship action, England’s Michael Green won both the European Championship and Irish Open in the Superstox, while Magheralin’s Stuart Agnew claimed victory in the Lightning Rods World Cup.

National Hot Rods
A top quality field of National Hot Rods assembled for the Cirrus Plastics British Championship, with England’s Billy Wood taking the opening qualifier after a great pass on Dan Smith. Robert McDonald continued his great 2024 season with a clear victory in heat two, leaving he and Wood tied on points for pole position. The draw put Wood on pole, for what was to turn into a classic British title race under the Tullyroan floodlights.
The race fans were on their toes as the duo raced in close company for much of the distance, with McDonald making the decisive move late in the race to find a gap under Wood into the Tullyroan end. McDonald took the title to complete the career Grand Slam of all the major titles in the sport, with Wood and John Christie completing the podium. Christie had driven a superb race to edge past Shane Murray for third after a fantastic dice.

On Sunday Christie and McDonald shared the heat wins ahead of the big money Leslie Dallas Memorial Trophy final, but consistency saw Norfolk’s Perry Cooke on pole spot for the main event. Cooke led much of the distance before McDonald arrived to challenge, the Scotsman putting a superb outside line pass on the leader to take a sensational victory ahead of Cooke, Murray and Christie.

Superstox
A grid of almost 30 cars took the green flag in the first graded heat for the Superstox, with Irish Champion Lee Davison hitting the front before he was edged out by Michael Green as the British Champion took a stylish win. Heat two saw Green again power through from the rear of the field in classic Stock Car style, passing fellow Englishman Randall Lynn late on to take the victory once again.
With Green having qualified on pole for the Mk2 Escort Shells and Spares European Championship, the signs were ominous for the others, and he immediately hit the front from the off. In a truly dramatic race though Green would have his work cut out, having to survive four caution periods which brought the challengers right to his tail. Local favourite Steven Haugh tried his best to unseat Green with his bumper but just couldn’t pull it off, and the English star raced home to the European title ahead of World Champion Jordan Robinson, who had come from the back of the grid in a great drive after a torrid qualifying. Davison took third ahead of Scottish duo Dean Johnston and Aaron Riddell.

Sunday’s Irish Open Championship saw Loughgall’s Jamie McCann and Haugh share the heat wins, but in the final it was Green once again who survived an early onslaught to take the win over McCann and Lynn, breaking the lap record in the process, after an epic weekend of Superstox action.

<b>Lightning Rods</b>
The first ever World Cup for the Lightning Rods saw the opening qualifying heat fall to Waringstown’s Ross Houston ahead of Stuart Agnew and James McKinney, before the second heat went the way of Portadown’s Mark Corry ahead of Jake Morgan and McKinney.
The Cirrus Plastics World Cup was yet another fantastic title race, with the top four drivers covered by a blanket for the whole distance. Houston and McKinney squabbled over the lead which allowed Agnew inside to the front. Despite heavy pressure from behind, Stuart held his nerve to win the World Cup ahead of McKinney and Corry.

Sunday’s NI Open saw heat wins for Agnew and Houston, with the latter and McKinney paired on the front row on aggregate points. McKinney hit the front at the off but had Houston all over him, until they tangled whilst amongst backmarkers. That opened the door for Agnew, who grasped the opportunity to hit the front and take his second title of the weekend. Corry and Houston completed the podium.

<b>Ninja Karts</b>
The largest ever Ulster entry for the 6-11 year old Ninja Karts stars served up some fantastic racing, with the Keir Millar Memorial Trophy Saturday’s big race. The heats went to English trio George Cooper, Charlie Weston and Henry Hunn. The final, in memory of the former star Ninja racer Keir Millar, saw a great battle for the lead with another English driver, Mason Carberry, coming through to win the superb trophy ahead of Weston and Jaxon York.

Sunday saw the kids chasing the DMC Gold Cup, with the heats falling to Weston, Carberry and Hunn. The final was another excellent event with 40 karts taking the green flag. Weston came through for the win in fine style ahead of Charlie Major and York.

<b>Support Racing</b>
Two Irish Masters titles completed the programme, with the 1300 Stock Cars on Saturday impressing with some heavy hitting racing. Craig Bodenham and Michael Logan shared the heats, before Curtis Greer held off a spirited last bend assault from Davy Wright to take the title ahead of Bobby Johnston and Scottish based World Champion Darren Rae.

The 2.0 Hot Rods Irish Masters saw Scotland’s Keith Brown and Antrim’s Conor Hughes share the heats, before Hughes dominated the final to take a superb win over Jordan Rochford and Wayne Woolsey.

McAfee Rolls Back The Years for Stock Rod Victor-y

Some excellent oval racing was served up at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday night across all five divisions in action, with Ballymena’s Victor McAfee taking a great feature race win in the Stock Rods. In the 2.0 Hot Rods Portadown’s Wayne Woolsey won the second round of the Hoosier Tyres Challenge Series with Bleary’s Drew McKeown the winner in the meeting final.
Killyman’s Matthew Weir took a closely fought King of Aghadowey title for the Junior Productions, with Drumahoe’s Gavin Gamble taking the King of Aghadowey crown in the Rookie Bangers. The Thunder Rods completed the line up and it was Portglenone’s Jordan Nicholl who scooped the silverware.

Close competitive racing was the order of the day in the Stock Rods, with Sam McNeice first home in the opening after a great late run, ahead of Victor McAfee , Rab Preston and Dan Shannon. Preston then went one better in heat two, taking the win ahead of McAfee and Reuben Kernohan.
In the damp final, Samuel Murphy held sway out front for the first ten laps, before McAfee slipped past to take up the running. Victor was totally in control of the race and the worsening weather conditions, and he reeled off the remaining laps to take a fantastic and popular win. Murphy, Siobhan Martin and Callum Magill rounded out the major placings.

The opening race of the evening for the 2.0 Hot Rods was the final of the second round of the Hoosier Challenge Series which was held over from the last meeting. Wayne Woolsey made no mistake from pole position in this one, pulling clear to take an emphatic win over Jordan Rochford and Drew McKeown.
The opening heat proper of the night then saw a flag to flag win for Colin McFarland, as he held off Jordan Rochford and Aaron Stewart at the line. Heat two saw a clear win for Rob Barnett, who impressed to win ahead of Stewart and Matthew Nicholl.
By final time the rain had arrived, with Barnett leading early on. There was no answer to the pace of McKeown in this one though, as the British Champion powered ahead after just ten laps to reel off a very comfortable win. Woolsey, Rochford and World Champion Adam Heatrick filled out the places.

The Junior Productions were using the reverse grid system as they contested the King of Aghadowey, with Leyton Hughes showing his quality to win the opening heat ahead of Dylan Fegan and Jack Morrison. Charlie Johnston led heat two for a time before Alfie Litter came through to take a hard earned win ahead of Ryan Berry and Owen O’Brien.
The rain appeared before the King of Aghadowey final, with Berry in the lead early on from pole position. Callum Doak then found the slenderest of gaps down his inside to take up the running, but by now all the top runners were together in what was heading for a superb finish. It was becoming an enthralling race, with Harry Minish and Johnston impressing as they came right from the rear of the line up. Doak got edged out of the lead through the Brown Trout Bend, with Minish coming through to take the chequered flag on the road. A number of penalties were then handed out for contact during the race, which elevated Matthew Weir to the win ahead of Hughes and an unfortunately demoted Minish.

The Rookie Bangers were spectacular all evening, with red flags required twice during the opening heat given the amount of action. England’s Harry Botfield came through for the win ahead of Phillip Farrell and Stephen Boyd, before Marc Morrell won the second heat from Botfield. The one also saw a rollover for Rodney Herron on the exit of the Brown Trout bend.
Botfield led the wet final early on, only to lose out to Gavin Gamble who pulled clear. As the action continued all around the track, a late caution for a loose wheel with two laps to go set up a grandstand finish. With the field biting at his tail, Gamble pulled off the perfect restart to claim a well deserved win ahead of Botfield and Farrell.

It was great to see an increased number of Thunder Rods back on track, with the action as frantic as ever. Ballymena’s Tyler McMaster impressed on his way to the opening heat win over Liam Irwin and Robert Nicholl, before Tyler repeated the dose in heat two to take another fine victory over Irwin and Jordan Nicholl.
The final saw a great scrap early on as Sean Boyd, Irwin and Nicholl all contested the top spot. Nicholl used his experience to scythe through to the lead, from where he raced home to take the win. Irish Champion James Goldie raced well to take second spot, ahead of Ian Hobson and Liam Wilson.

Riordan and Martin Star At Tullyroan

County Cork National Hot Rod ace Jeff Riordan made it three World Series wins from three outings when he took the feature race win at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday evening. It was a night a great racing, with Scottish star Siobhan Martin marking her debut as an Ulster-based racer with a tremendous Stock Rods final win.
England’s Mason Carberry also drove a great race to win the Ninja Karts Golden Helmet, with the other feature race wins falling to Portadown’s World Champion Jordan Robinson in the Superstox and Magheralin’s Stuart Agnew in the Lightning Rods.

The opening heat for the National Hot Rods was brought to an early halt following a big crash for Derek Martin after his throttle stuck open at the end of the back straight. Nigel McCauley was an unfortunate innocent party who also got collected in the incident. Gary Woolsey went ahead in his new Maxda MX5 before Shane Murray swooped past to take the win over Jeff Riordan and Woolsey. Ian Riordan was the man to watch in heat two, as he took his first race win in the formula ahead of Woolsey.
The final of World Series NI Round 4 saw Woolsey ahead with Jeff Riordan chasing him down. They were together when they came across the rejoining Andrew Stewart, which forced them both wide. Jeff hit the front and never looked back as he took a convincing win, his third in as many outings. Woolsey, Adam Maxwell and Ian Riordan completed the major places.

The Stock Rod action was close and competitive all evening, with a whole host of closely matched cars. Ryan Dilly drove a great first heat under pressure to take a fine win, holding off Victor McAfee and Declan O’Connor at the line. Heat two saw Rab Preston take the chequered flag for a welcome win, ahead of Reuben Kernohan and O’Connor after second man on the road Jonny Cardwell took a penalty for contact.
The final was an enthralling race, with McAfee holding sway out front for much of the distance despite huge pressure from behind. A late caution period saw a five lap dash to the flag, with Siobhan Martin bursting around the outside with a great drive to snatch a well deserved victory on her first outing since switching her racing full time to Northern Ireland. Mark Crawford, Kernohan, Dan Shannon and Cardwell filled the places.

A nice sprinkling of mainland visitors added an extra edge to the Ninja Karts Golden Helmet, kindly sponsored by B-TEK Battery Services. England’s Thomas Wilkins had a huge lead in the opening heat before it was wiped out by a caution period late on when Tommy Bevan rolled. That opened the door for Jaxon Cairns to grab the win over Wilkins and Jack Murphy. Eddie Fowler and Ollie Williamson tangled when chasing the heat two lead, allowing Murphy to grab the win over Cairns and Tommy Johnson.
Cairns led the Golden Helmet final from pole spot early on, before World and National Champion Lewis Hazlett powered past to take up the running. He soon had Suffolk’s Mason Carberry right with him though. Carberry went ahead, and he held for victory on despite Hazlett’s best efforts to get back on terms. Murphy took third ahead of Austin Grattan and Jayden Jeffrey, with the top three all receiving great prizes from the sponsors, as did best novice home Wilkins.

There was a first ever race win for Ethan Martin in the opening Supertox heat, as he held off Gerard Hartley and Lee Davison at the flag for a popular victory. Heat two saw Hartley take the win, withstanding a last bend assault from Davison in great fashion.
The final saw Martin set the early pace, and he led until the 5 laps to go board came out. Hartley then took over out front, but he had no answer to the flying Jordan Robinson, as the World Champion eased to the front and took the chequered flag. Steven Haugh and welcome returnee David Beattie took the podium places.

An encouraging field of Lightning Rods came to grid for their opener, with Jake Morgan taking his luminous orange BMW to a great win over Ross Houston and Ian Hobson. Heat two saw a repeat feat from young Morgan as he again led them home, this time ahead of Houston and Thomas Dilly.
Despite and upgrade on the grid for the final Morgan quickly led again, only to go out with mechanical issues whilst ahead. That put Dilly into the top spot, but he couldn’t just stave off the outside line attack from Stuart Agnew. Agnew went on to win convincingly, ahead of Hobson and Mark Corry.

Important Fixture Changes

DMC Race Promotions would like to inform our drivers and fans of some important fixture changes coming up.

The Tullyroan Oval meeting on Sunday September 8th has been cancelled.

The Charity Bangers Challenge scheduled for this date has been postponed and we will look to run it in early 2025 possibly.
The Spedeworth TV/NIOval TV Series Shootout Final for Superstox has now moved to the meeting at Tullyroan Oval on October 26th.

With the World & National Ninja Karts Champion Lewis Hazlett off to race in South Africa in late October/early November, we have had to find a new date for the Ninja Karts Irish Championship. This will now take place at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday October 12th, in what will now be a huge six formula meeting!

The Stock Rods will now have an extra fixture on Saturday October 26th at Tullyroan Oval, replacing the Ninja's Irish Championship on that fixture.

Ross Is Boss In Lightning Rods King of Aghadowey

Waringstown’s Ross Houston was on top form at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday as he took a splendid win in the feature event, the Lightning Rods King of Aghadowey. The Young Trophy for Junior Productions fell to a dominant Harry Minish from Tandragee, whilst Ballymena’s Daniel Rodgers in the Thunder Rods and Cullybackey’s Curtis Greer (1300 Stock Cars) were also feature race winners.

Some Republic of Ireland visitors bolstered the Lightning Rods field, with the opening heat falling to Ross Houston in his BMW ahead of James McKinney and Stuart Agnew. Agnew then raced to the win in an actioned packed second qualifier, leading home Houston and McKinney at the chequered flag.
Houston and Agnew were paired on the front row for the King of Aghadowey final, with Houston edging clear early on to romp to a fantastic victory. Agnew held on for a gallant runner up slot ahead of a huge battle for the minor places which went to McKinney, as the Lightning Rods impressed on their return to Aghadowey.

A very healthy field of Junior Productions provided some of the best racing of the evening, with the opening heat seeing a clear win for Belfast’s Caolan Fegan who really is now finding his feet in the formula. He came home well clear of fellow novice Ryan Jackson and Owen O’Brien. Heat two saw Tom Hewitt hold sway out front until he drifted wide on the last lap, opening the door for Harry Minish to take the win ahead of Matthew Weir and Leyton Hughes.
The final was for The Young Trophy, presented annually by the Young & Hosie families. Minish really was on top of his game in this one, powering ahead from pole position to take a decisive and deserved victory. Hughes came through for the runner up slot ahead of Weir, Dylan Fegan and Callum Doak. The top three and heat winners all received nice trophies for their efforts, alongside best white grade finisher Fegan, best yellow grade finisher Hewitt and O’Brien as the Most Improved Driver.

The Thunder Rods were as close and competitive as ever, with newcomer James Steele heading the opening heat until half distance when Adam McKinney went through to win ahead of Steele and James Goldie. Heat two saw a welcome win for recent newcomer Joshua McCahon, as he held off Liam Irwin’s late advances with Daniel Rodgers in third.
The Thunder Rods final was arguably the race of the meeting, with a whole gaggle of cars vying for the win. Steele showed great nerve to hold the pack at bay for much of the distance, only for Ballymena ace Rodgers to slip past with just three laps to go to take a fine victory. Jason Darragh and Andrew McLean filled the podium places.

Novice Ashley Bodenham led most of the opening 1300 Stock Car heat as he impressed greatly, only for Josh McKInstry to edge past of the last lap to take a fine win over Cullybackey duo David Wilson and Curtis Greer. Heat two saw Bodenham this time hold on all the way home, taking a deserved win over Gary Freeburn and Greer.
The final again saw Bodenham again with a healthy advantage out front, but as the laps progressed Greer was slowly chipping away at his lead. Curtis took his opportunity with five laps to go, the recently crowned Scottish Open Champion powering ahead to take a great win. Bodenham impressed in second, with McKinstry and Jonathan Brown next home.


The 2.0 Hot Rods should have been the headline act of the meeting, competing in the second round of the Hoosier Challenge Series. Unfortunately though a power failure in the stadium when the cars were lined up saw the Final postponed until a later date.

The opening heat earlier in the night fell to former World Champion Jordan Rochford after long time leader Jake Devlin got onto the greasy outside line and spun late on. The second heat saw a great drive from another former World Champion, Wayne Woolsey, which netted him an impressive victory over Matthew Nicholl and Rochford.

Lotus Ace Riordan On Top At Tullyroan

County Cork driver Jeff Riordan drove superbly to win the National Hot Rods final at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday evening. On a night of red hot action on track, Portadown’s Wayne Woolsey won the coveted Lee Cherry Memorial Trophy for 2.0 Hot Rods and Birches star Steven Haugh took the Moffett Shield for Superstox. Other feature race winners were Portadown’s Ryan Jackson in the Junior Productions and Garvagh’s Stephen Boyd in the Rookie Bangers Ulster Championship.

An excellent entry of seventeen National Hot Rods came under starters orders for the third round of World Series NI. The opening heat fell to Mark Heatrick in his stunning Fiesta, with Jeff Riordan impressing in second from the red grade. Heat two saw an early caution which brought the new-style NASCAR restart into play, with Adam Maxwell benefitting most to swoop ahead to the win, with Riordan again in second and Derek Martin third.
Heatrick set the pace once the final had settled down, but it was no surprise when he soon had his mirrors full of Riordan’s Lotus. Jeff wasted no time in sweeping right around the outside to take a commanding win, his second in a row in the series. Shane Murray came through for second spot ahead of Maxwell, Heatrick and Nigel McCauley.

The 2.0 Hot Rods were racing for the coveted Lee Cherry Memorial Trophy, held annually in memory of the popular former racer. Wayne Woolsey took the opening heat win having found a gap under World and National Champion Adam Heatrick into turn one late on. Jordan Rochford and Drew McKeown filled the places. Heat two saw a tense battle for the lead, with the returning Adam Best taking the win having held off a stiff challenge from Irish Champion Conor Hughes.
Woolsey and Hughes shared the front row for the final for the stunning Lee Cherry Memorial Trophy. Woolsey ran deep into the first bend, enticing McKeown up the inside of the front row duo. With all three vying for the same piece of tarmac down the back straight something had to give, the ensuing melee seeing Woolsey move ahead into the lead. He kept the gap all the way to the chequered flag to take the title, ahead of Hughes, Rochford and Allen Cherry.

The Superstox racing for the Moffett Shield got off to a great start with a popular win for Brian Lammey in the opening heat that almost brought the house down. It was Brian’s first ever win, and he received a great reception from the crowd for his efforts. Steven Haugh took second ahead of Jamie McCann, before Dean Catherwood staved off a last bend attack from Haugh to hang on for the second heat win in a tremendous finish.
Haugh was dominant in the Moffett Shield final from pole position, stretching clear to take the win over McCann and Catherwood, with Gerard Hartley receiving the best white/yellow grade award.

Another excellent entry of 18 Junior Productions took to the grid, with Belfast’s Caolan Fegan taking the honours in the opening heat over Jamie Hadden, as the novice grade dominated. Hadden made it two in a row for the novices in heat two, as he took a great win over Fegan and Alfie Litter and ahead of a huge scrap for the minor places in the pack.
The final turned out to be a controversial affair, with the first two over the line both picking up penalties from the Steward. Litter was first home but he was docked for jumping a late restart, whilst Charlie Johnston was demoted for contact. That elevated Ryan Jackson to a deserved victory to make it a clean sweep for the evening for the novice grade! Hadden inherited second place ahead of Litter and Johnston in the final analysis.

Phillip Farrell was the man to beat during the Rookie Banger heats, taking both wins. The first heat saw a smashing opening lap as Phillip headed home Stephen Boyd and Ryan Nixon, before Josh Goligher and Gavin Gamble chased him home in heat two.
The Ulster Championship final saw Farrell lead only to be spun out by the chasing Boyd. As they clashed, Lucas Goligher tried to pounce for the lead, but he only got collected by the spinning Farrell! Boyd cleared the carnage and went on to win the title ahead of Josh Goligher and the recovered Farrell.

Flawless performance for Riordan

Jeff Riordan proved to be man of the moment when the National Hot Rods returned to Aghadowey to contest round 2 of the World Series – NI.
The Cork based pilot got his evening off to a good start with a runaway victory in the opening heat, taking the win ahead of Nigel McCauley and former World Champion Derek Martin. It was almost a carbon copy style performance in heat two with Riordan completing the distance ahead again, this time it was Shane Murray and Glenn Bell next across the line. The meeting final was in its infancy when a caution period was required for the stricken machinery of Gary Woolsey, who had become stranded on the kerb between turns two and three. This would see the cars all bunched up again in anticipation for the restart. While this brought the star graded names closer to the battle in what was only lap two of a thirty-five lap race, it quickly become apparent no one had anything on Riordan. He soon powered clear of his pursuers and went on to take the flag well clear of Murray the runner up, McCauley rounded out his evening with a pleasing third place finish.

The Ninja Karts were out in force with a pleasing domestic entry of over 20 drivers; which included the debut of Eddie Fowler and welcome English visitor Mason Carberry the former World Champion. Alan Beattie held of late pressure from Carberry to claim the opening qualifier before Austin Grattan commanded proceedings in heat two. An early caution period in the meeting final allowed the star names to make it through towards the front in the opening laps. Carberry made his trip very worthwhile taking the silverware ahead of the new World Champion Lewis Hazlett, the opening heat winner Beattie performed well again with a strong third place finish. Beattie’s third place finish seen him take the award for best yellow grade while Fowler pocketed the white grade prize in his first ever meeting.
Jason Darragh and Norman Purdy shared the heat wins in the popular Thunder Rod section. Joshua McCahon set the early pace in the final; it wasn’t too long before he had pressure from behind with the Adam McKinney looking for a way around. While the pair battled the star names edged closer and closer. As McKinney challenged on the outside of McCahon they come together which would spell the end for McKinney, Daniel Rodgers didn’t hesitate in picking up the pieces and moving ahead. From there Rodgers took the win with Purdy and David Reynolds next across the line.
Completing the race card was the Stock Rods. Co Armagh’s Rab Preston withstood a late challenge from Victor McAfee to take the opening heat honours. McAfee was able to go one better the next time around chalking up the heat two victory with Samuel Wilson next across the line. Another Co Armagh man on fine form was Mark Foster, Foster romped well ahead of his challengers to secure the final win ahead of Jonny Cardwell fresh from his National Championship success at Hednesford Hills Raceway last weekend. The final race was a closed grid, dash for cash. Foster completed the distance again to bag the £100 prize.