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.

Lightning Rods
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.

Ninja Karts
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.

Support Racing
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.

Robbie’s Wright National Championship 2024 Win.

A huge field of 1300 Stock Cars kicked off proceedings at Tullyroan Oval, with a strong visiting contingent from HRP & Spedeworth to contest for their National Championship.
Heat One saw a lively start, as Paul Crooks found himself airborne which resulted in an early stoppage that brought the more experienced right up into proceedings. Heat One went the way of Gary Freeburn as he was able to fend off the higher graded drivers.
Heat Two, saw a few missing gaps in the grades as cars fell victim to damages in an intense Heat One. After the restart of Heat Two this allowed 18 Patrick Calderwood to continue to stretch ahead for the win.
The 1300 Stock Cars National Championship went the way of 194 Robbie Wright, with 888 Jonathan Brown coming home in 2nd and 1 Willie Stewart a 3rd spot unsuccessfully being able to defend his crown. This rounded off a Northern Ireland top 3 whilst fighting off some stiff competition from a 30-car field.

Rookie Bangers
Chris McNeil enjoyed a great battle out front in the opening 1600 Rookie Bangers Heat as he collected some strong points for Bad Company B whilst taking the flag. Heat Two saw Stephen Boyd carve his way through traffic like a hot knife through butter, seamlessly taking the win to bag strong points for Bad Company A. The final also went in the way of Stephen Boyd as an early stoppage meant that the field became somewhat depleted from the other teams.
As a result, Bad Company A where victorious in bagging the most points to become the 2024, 1600 Rookie Bangers Teams Champions consisting of Stephen Boyd, Leonard Dunn and Gavin Gamble.

Lightning Rods were on great from all evening, displaying some competitive racing. Conor Doherty in the immaculate e90, stormed the way to take Heat One. Junior Productions graduate Brandon Litter set a head to take a confident win in Heat Two. In the Final, the star graders came challenging through, of which Tam Agnew, Houston and McKinney rounded up the Top 3 to conclude a very competitive nights Lightning Rod racing.

Thunder Rods made a guest appearance to Tullyroan Oval, where they put on a great spectacle around the fast-paced circuit. Heat wins went in the way of 914 Joshua McMullan and 905 Adam McKinney. Whereas the Final fell in Jason Darragh’s hands after a stewards inquiry that saw Adam McKinney docked two places.

Junior Productions delivered some close racing, with a strong number of cars on track. The lower graders settled into race pace well which saw heat wins from Ryan Jackson and Jamie Hadden making his trip worthwhile from the Republic of Ireland. The final went in the way of 718 Caolan Fegan as he comfortably stretched ahead in front of a rather experienced field.

Summer Speedweekend Round Up - Aghadowey Oval

Congratulations to all the winners from our Summer Speedweekend.

2.0 Hot Rods – 2024 Championship of the World (sponsored by Cherry Pipes): 342 Adam Heatrick, 743 Drew McKeown, 529 Jason Secker.

Stock Rods 2024 British Championship (sponsored by Cherry Pipes): 2024 British Championship: 212 John Smith, 698 Mark Crawford, 65 Stevie McNiece.

Ninja Karts 2024 European Championship (sponsored by ABC Recovery): 313 Charlie Weston, 9 Jayden Lee Jeffrey, 483 George Cooper.

2.0 Hot Rods 2024 Northern Ireland Open (sponsored by Cherry Pipes): 743 Drew McKeown, 929 Conor Hughes, 940 Ryan McCrory.

Stock Rods 2024 Irish Masters (sponsored by Cherry Pipes): 47 Jonny Cardwell, 258 Dan Shannon, 84 Robbie Armit.

Ninja Karts 2024 Irish Open Championship (sponsored by ABC Recovery): 75 Jack Murphy, 483 George Cooper, 441 Charlie Major

National Hot Rods - World Series NI Round 1: 960 Mark Heatrick

Thunder Rods – 2024 DMC Gold Cup (Sponsored by McLaughlin Plumbing & Heating): 78 Daniel Rodgers, 29 Zack McCombe, 143 Andrew McLean.

Superstox Final; 914 Lee Davison.

1300 Stock Cars Final: 954 Davy Clarke.

Many thanks to our sponsors, Cherry Pipes, ABC Recovery and McLaughlin Plumbing & Heating.

Superstox Ace McCann Lands Neil Davison Memorial Cup

The Neil Davison Memorial Cup for Superstox was the feature event at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday evening, June 22nd, and after a great race it fell to Loughgall’s Jamie McCann. The 2.0 Hot Rods final was won by Londonderry’s Dean McFarland, whilst Antrim’s Leyton Hughes won the Junior Productions Tullyroan Challenge Cup.
Dublin’s Stevo McGrath won the 2L National Bangers Tullyroan Challenge Cup, whilst other feature race wins fell to Magheralin’s Tam Agnew in the Lightning Rods and Tullyroan’s Davy McCall in the Classic Hot Rods.


The opening Superstox heat saw the two main NI Points Championship contenders, Lee Davison and Steven Haugh, race to first and second with a scything run from the rear of the field. Heat two again saw the star men on the march from the back, with Jamie McCann this time taking the spoils over Davison and Haugh. Going into the final race of the points season, Haugh now had just a five point advantage over Davison.
Conor Murphy got a great start to the Neil Davison Memorial Cup final, scorching ahead but the pack were chasing hime down as the laps dwindled away. McCann went through to take a fine win from the closing Davison, with Murphy hanging on in third. Fourth for Haugh was enough to seal him the Mk2 Escort Shells & Spares NI Points Championship by the slenderest of margins.

Dean McFarland continued his recent good form with a great run to win the opening 2.0 Hot Rods heat, with former World Champion Wayne Woolsey enthralling the fans with a fantastic outside run through the field. He eventually netted second after Andy Best was demoted to fourth for contact during the race. McFarland again set the pace in heat two, but was run down and passed by Ally Neill late on for the victory.
The final again saw McFarland out front, but his advantage was wiped out by a mid race caution period. That didn’t deter Dean, and on the restart he simply drove off into the distance once again for a fantastic win to complete a double for the night. An impressive Aaron Stewart took second ahead of Scott Cochrane and Neill.

The 2L National Bangers thrilled the fans all evening with some big hits and entertainment. Former World Champ Stevo McGrath from Dublin avoided the carnage to win the Tullyroan Challenge Cup from Paul Compelli and Alan Haugh as just four cars went the distance.
The first Allcomers event was a cracker, with McGrath, David Gurney and Haugh chasing the win. Gurney hit the front, but McGrath came back hard on the last bend to just snatch the win on the line. Allcomers 2 saw Gurney this time come back to take the win over Haugh and McGrath, before a superb Destruction Derby saw Noel Anderson’s Mondeo take some heavy damage before McGrath and Gurney fought it out for the win, The fans were loving it, with McGrath getting the telling blow in the finish Gurney off and take the win.

Lacey Bevan drove a superb race to just hold off Jack Morrison in the opening Junior Productions qualifier, eventually claimimg victory over Harry Minish, before Callum Doak controlled heat two to take the win over Leyton Hughes.
From pole position in the Tullyroan Challenge Cup final Hughes was dominant throughout, stretching ahead to take a super victory over the chasing Doak, Andrew Russell and Matthew Weir.

Tam Agnew was the winner of the opening Lightning Rods heat, racing home ahead of a places battle that fell to Mark Corry. Heat two saw James McKinney excel, as the Strabane man won ahead of Ross Houston and Agnew.
The feature race final was all about Agnew once again, the former ProStock World title winner racing clear to complete his double for the night ahead of Houston, McKinney and Gerry Rogers.

The Classic Hot Rods ran alongside the Lightning Rods all evening, with former World Champions Davy McCall and John Murray sharing the heat wins before McCall also took the final.

Tullyroan Title Wins for Heatrick, Cardwell & Hughes

An exciting evening of non-contact oval racing was served up to the fans at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday evening, June 15th. Portadown’s Adam Heatrick raced to a heat and final success to land the Tullyroan Challenge Cup for 2.0 Hot Rods, whilst the Stock Rods Tullyroan Challenge Cup fell the way of Glenavy’s Jonny Cardwell after a commanding drive. The prestigious Golden Helmet trophy for the Junior Productions was won by Antrim’s Leyton Hughes, whilst the other feature race wins fell to Ross Houston (Waringstown) in the Lightning Rods and Zack McCombe (Kilrea) in the Thunder Rods.

The opening 2.0 Hot Rods heat saw Dean McFarland set the opening pace before Adam Heatrick slipped past to take the win. Behind McFarland in second, returnee Stephen Emerson took third. Another recent returnee to the tracks, Michael Woods, took a great win in the second heat on his first appearance of the season. Scott Cochrane came through for second ahead of Conor Hughes and newly crowned British Champion Drew McKeown.
On aggregate points Heatrick had annexed pole position for the Tullyroan Challenge Cup Final, with McKeown alongside. Heatrick quickly assumed the lead, with McKeown slipping back on the outside line. That allowed Wayne Woolsey up to second ahead of Jordasn Rochford in third. There was no threat to Heatrick’s electric pace during the race, and that was how they finished as he took a morale boosting win.

The Tullyroan Challenge Cup was also up for grabs in the Stock Rods, with the field bolstered by some very welcome visitors from Tipperary Raceway. Reuben Kernohan led the majority of the way in the opening heat, but was outfoxed in heavy backmarking traffic late on which allowed British and National Champion Mark Crawford to take the victory over Jonny Cardwell. Heat two saw a straightforward win for Adam Sloan, as the Kells racer pulled effortlessly clear to win by some distance over Tipperary pair Eoghan Burke and Jack Maher.
Cardwell quickly assumed the lead in the Tullyroan Challenge Cup final, as a puncture in the midst of the leading cars for Sam McNeice saw him go out and hamper the progress of several others. That allowed Stevie McNiece up to second ahead of Crawford. Cardwell meanwhile was clear out front and he raced home to take his third Challenge Cup win in succession, and his fifth in total, after a great night for the Glenavy driver. McNiece, Crawford, Sloan and World Champion Dan Shannon were next home.

A grid of over twenty cars took the green flag for the opening Junior Production heat, with Lacey Bevan working her way to the front late on to take the win over a flying Leyton Hughes and Charlie Johnston. Heat two saw Dylan Fegan take the win on the road, but he was docked two places to third for jumping the start which gave the win to Jack Morrison ahead of Johnston.
Johnston and Bevan shared the front row for the A McKeown and Son Ltd sponsored Golden Helmet Final, which took a second attempt to get going after drama at the first time of asking. Hughes found a way past Johnston early on the edge clear out front once they did get underway, and he went on to take a superb victory over the impressive Fegan in second. Callum Doak inherited third spot after third across the line, Scotsman Charlie Hardie, was docked two places for contact. The top three and the heat winners all received nice bonus prizes courtesy of the sponsors.

The Lightning Rods were on great form all evening, with Tam Agnew claiming the heat one win after Ross Hosuton had been docked for contact on his way to the flag. Houston was in determined mood in heat two, racing side by side with Padraig Palmer for the last number of laps before snatching the win by a nose on the finish line. Palmer and Agnew filled the top three.
The final saw more of the same, with Palmer ahead and Houston chasing him down. Once again it came to a grandstand finish, with Houston again snatching the win by a hair’s breadth on the line from Palmer. Agnew, James McKinney and Conor Doherty completed the top five.

The Thunder Rods made another of their regular visits to Tullyroan Oval, and it was Zack McCombe who claimed the first heat win ahead of Jason Darragh and Andrew McLean. McCombe repeated the feat in the second heat, winning over Irish Champion James Goldie and Darragh.
An upgrade for the final was always going to make things much more difficult for McCombe from further back in the starting line up, but as Tom Archibald set the pace Zack got the head down and reeled him in. At half distance McCombe went ahead, racing clear to complete his hat-trick for the night in fine fashion. Archibald, Adam McKinney and Darragh completed the places.