Dramatic Irish Title Wins For Milliken & Boyd

Two spectacular Irish Championship races topped the bill at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday night. In a 1300 Stock Cars Irish showdown that will be talked about for many years, Crumlin’s Matthew Milliken scooped the title by the slenderest of margins, whilst Garvagh’s Stephen Boyd successfully defended his Rookie Bangers Irish title in another dramatic race.
In the other formulas in action, Dungannon’s Ally Neill won in the 2.0 Hot Rods, Ballycastle driver Andrew McLean took the silverware in the Thunder Rods and Belfast’s Dylan Fegan got the better of his rivals to land the Junior Productions victory.

The tension was at fever pitch as the heavy metal 1300 Stock Cars set off on their rolling lap ahead of the much anticipated Irish Championship. The bumpers went in hard right from the off, with an early caution period with one of the pre-race favourites Gareth Halliday stranded on turn four just after Fionn Donnelly almost ended up on his side. Shortly after there was another caution, when Thomas McCrory went for a huge rollover down the back straight, from which he thankfully escaped unscathed.
At the third time of asking Matthew Milliken settled in to the lead, but he soon had Davy Wright tracking his every move. Wright kept a watching brief on Milliken’s tail, and then went for the kill into the final bend. The two thundered into the wall on the Brown Trout Bend, but Milliken was able to just stay ahead on the run to the flag by the slenderest of margins to take the Irish title. Wright was a gallant runner up with Josh McKinstry in third.
The Irish Revenge was going to have a tough job to live up to the standards of the championship race, and it was Wright who this time took the chequers over Aaron Ward and Milliken.

After the early skirmishes in the Rookie Bangers Irish Championship it was William McFaul who hit the front and began to pull clear. The backmarkers were far from kind to McFaul though, causing him all sorts of bother and allowing Boyd to get back on terms and steal through for a dramatic win. McFaul fought back to take second ahead of Gavin Gamble in third.
The Irish Revenge was another action packed encounter, with the grid reversed from the earlier championship race. McFaul made no mistake in this one as he took the win over Marc Morrell, before Gamble grabbed the chequered flag in the Dash for Cash which rounded off an exciting evening for the Rookie Bangers.

The opening 2.0 Hot Rods heat saw a welcome win for former World Champion Andy Best, who held off Ally Neill and Ryan McCrory at the flag. Andy then had a huge engine detonation in heat two which caused a caution period to clean the track, before McCrory took the win in fine style ahead of Conor Hughes and World Champion Jordan Rochford.
The final was all about Ally Neill though, as he powered clear to win with ease. Drew McKeown was closing but wasn’t just close enough so had to settle for second, with Robbie Barnett taking his best result to date in third.

The opening Thunder Rods heat brought a clear win for Joshua McMullan in a race which saw a big home straight rollover for Samuel Montgomery. Josh Young and Zack McCombe filled out the places. Heat two saw a huge battle amongst the pack, but it was Young who made the most of it to race home to the win from Tom Archibald and Andrew McLean.
Archibald and Gareth McCrory had spells out front in the final, before McLean powered ahead just before the halfway mark. As Andrew took a dominant win, returnee Karl Smyth took second ahead of leading star grade driver Daniel Rodgers and McCombe.

Newcomer Cole McGann led the opening heat for the Junior Production until he lost out to Ryan Abernethy, before Maia Thompson produced the perfect outside line run in the closing stages to snatch a superb win on the line by just 0.015 seconds! Unfortunately Maia then injured her knee and missed the remainder of the meeting - we wish her a speedy recovery.
McGann again led the second heat, but the man on the move this time was recently crowned Scottish Open Champion Callum Doak. He scythed through the field with ease to take the win in great fashion, ahead of McGann and Lauren Berry.
The final saw McGann lead the way until a late race caution was called for a stricken car. Dylan Fegan capitalised as the field were bunched together, the young Belfast ace racing clear to take the silverware ahead of Harry Minish and Doak.

Irish Championship Double Header at Aghadowey Oval

Irish Championship showdowns for 1300 Stock Cars and Rookie Bangers are the headline events this Saturday night (October 21st) at Aghadowey Oval.

The 1300 Stock cars have been on fantastic form, with over 20 cars on track at both their recent Aghadowey outings. The wall is sure to take a pounding as the big steel bumpers get put to good use.

Defending Irish Champion Jonathan Brown from Loanends will be keen to hang onto his title, whilst front row starters Matthew Milliken and Gareth Halliday be keen to grab the coveted Irish crown. Josh McKinstry, Robbie Wright and Fionn Donnelly will also have their eyes on glory, but anything can happen in full contact Stock Car racing!

More contact racing will come in the Rookie Bangers as they also contest their Irish Championship. Garvagh’s Stephen Boyd is the defending champion, and he has qualified on pole position in his quest to retain the title. Cullybackey ace Marc Morrell and Josh Goligher from Limavady will toss a coin for second and third on the grid, with Lucas Goligher up next. The Rookie Banger action is always frantic and it is sure to be a dramatic showdown.

In the Thunder Rods Ballymena rivals James Goldie and Daniel Rodgers will be favourites, with the NI Points Championship crown at stake. The season long battle is currently led by Goldie, but Rodgers will be keen to pounce should an opportunity arise as he is still within striking distance as the title chase goes down to the wire.

World Champion Jordan Rochford, British Champion Wayne Woolsey and Irish Champion Drew McKeown head the entry list in the 2.0 Hot Rods, whilst the Junior Productions will see Loughgall’s Matthew Weir return to the scene of his Irish Championship title triumph just three weeks ago. Also in action will be the recently crowned Scottish Open Champion, Callum Doak from Portadown.

The first green flag of the evening drops at 6.30pm.

Davison Takes Superstox Irish On Dramatic Night At Tullyroan

Birches racer Lee Davison was crowned Superstox Irish Champion on Saturday night at Tullyroan Oval. It was a sensational event packed full of drama, part of a quality evening of entertainment for the big crowd on hand.
In the National Hot Rods, John Christies won the final of Diemens.com World Series NI Round 4, whilst Derek Martin scooped a great Ulster Championship win. Staffordshire’s Jaxon York took a great, last gasp victory in the Ninja Karts Champion of Champions event , whilst the other feature race winners were Randalstown’s Sam McNeice (Stock Rods) and Waringstown’s Ross Houston (Lightning Rods).

The Superstox Irish Championship was the feature event of packed race programme, lined up in points order from the season. In a sensational start the bumpers went piling in hard, with all the top runners careering to the fence on turn one. Pole-sitter and World Champion Craig McConnell rode the wall in dramatic fashion to move ahead, with Jamie McCann and then Lee Davison giving chase.
McConnell was then out with a puncture, handing Davison the lead but he had McCann fighting back hard. Jamie got onto terms and went for a last bend lunge, but he just couldn’t unseat Davison who took the title after a tremendous race. McCann had to make do with second ahead of Stephen Stewart in third after starting right at the back of the line up.
The support Irish Revenge race saw young star Jack Morrow lead early on, until McConnell made his move at the half way mark to take a clear win over Morrow and Stewart.

Dean McCrory passed early Heat One leader Kenny McCann to claim his first ever win in the National Hot Rods formula, with Mark Heatrick and John Christie taking second and third. Heat two was an excellent race, with Simon Kennedy just holding off the onslaught from the pack to take the win over Nigel McCauley and Heatrick.
The final of Diemens.com World Series NI Round 4 saw Kennedy lead early on. All eyes were on the Christie Lotus though, as John worked his way around the outside to take a spectacular win ahead of World Champion Derek Martin and McCauley.
The Ulster Championship race completed the evening, with fastest lap time Shane Murray losing the toss which put him at the very back with McCrory on pole. Martin had the bit between his teeth in this one, going round the outside to the lead. When the competition caution was called with five to go, Glenn Bell chose to go outside ‘on the Cone’ alongside Martin, and gave it his best shot to get past for the lead. Martin just hung on in a great finish, with Murray and Bell completing the podium slots.

The first Ninja Karts event was the annual Individual Achievement Award for the local drivers who hadn’t won a race in 2023. Recent newcomer Austin Grattan was the man to watch in this one, leading from flag to flag for a great victory to collect the Hollytree Rare Breeds Farm Perpetual Award. Ethan McQuillan and Jaxon Cairns impressed in second and third, with all the drivers receiving a goody bag from the sponsors.
They were then joined by a star studded field from right across the UK to contest the annual Champion of Champion event. Irish Champion Charlie Johnston held off Jack Murphy to take heat one, before Scotland’s Rory Wilson won the second heat ahead of Jayden Roff. Heat three saw another Scot on victory lane as European Champion Stuart Shevill claimed the win.
The Champion of Champions final turned out to be a stunning race with Roff ahead early on before Johnston and then Keegan Turtle hit the front. It was a super battle between at times seven karts, and Johnston made his move for the lead only to tangle with Turtle and crash out. That handed the lead to World Champion Mason Carberry, but over the final laps Jaxon York went right around his outside to claim a sensational win in the end. As Jaxon celebrated the biggest win of his career, Riley Dawson-Stirling and Turtle completed the top three podium finishers.

Sam McNeice was first over the line in the opening Stock Rods heat, but he was docked 2 places to third for contact which handed victory to Sam Wilson ahead of Adam Sloan. Heat two saw a very well deserved victory for Ryan Dilly after a great drive ahead of Rab Preston and Jonny Gillespie.
The final saw Preston setting the pace, but nobody had any answer to the speed of McNeice. Sam sped around the outside line to take an emphatic win ahead of the impressive placemen of Preston and Dilly.

A pleasing entry of Lightning Rods saw Ian Hobson grab both heat wins, heading home Ross Houston in the opener and then just beating Mark McCambridge by a fraction in heat two.
The final was all about Houston, the former Saloon Stock Car star claiming his first Lightning Rods silverware over Jamie Stephens and Nigel Jackson.

Fairytale Victory For Stephen Emerson In Mervyn Emerson Memorial Trophy

In a fairytale story even Hollywood scriptwriters couldn’t have come up with, Antrim’s Stephen Emerson returned to racing at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday and went on to win the first ever running of his brother Mervyn’s Memorial Trophy. It was an emotional win, as the former European Champion returned to action driving Mervyn’s car, qualified on pole position and dominated the feature event.
There were also two Irish Championship events on the race programme, with Portadown’s Nigel Jackson taking the Lightning Rods title and Loughgall’s Matthew Weir taking the Junior Productions version. Portadown’s Robbie Wright lifted a bruising 1300 Stock Cars King of Aghadowey, whilst Limavady driver Josh Goligher took the Thunder Rods silverware.

A quality field, including visitors from Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, arrived to do battle for the inaugural running of the Mervyn Emerson Memorial Trophy. His brother Stephen had readied Mervyn’s car to allow himself to compete in the big event, having not been on track for over three years himself.
In wet and difficult conditions he took the opening heat win ahead of Conor Hughes and Adam Weir, before Irish Champion Drew McKeown claimed the second heat over Ryan McCrory, with Emerson again impressing in third.
Those results were enough to claim pole spot for the Mervyn Emerson Memorial Trophy Final for Stephen with Hughes alongside, and after a minute’s applause filled the stadium in memory of Mervyn, the drivers set off to do battle for the coveted trophy. There was nobody able to match Stephen Emerson though, and he powered home to a very emotional win, with McKeown and Hughes filling the podium places. It was fairytale ending to a fantastic event, with prizes handed out to the top five drivers and also the best in each grade.

There was drama before the Lightning Rods Irish Championship event when pole-sitter James McKinney hit car trouble and failed to make the grid. When the green flag dropped it was multi-champion Nigel Jackson who quickly stamped his authority all over the event to regain the Irish title and add it to the World, European, National and NI Points titles he has won already in 2023. Ross Houston and Mark McCambridge followed him home.
Nigel then also took victory in the reverse grid Irish Revenge race, with Houston and McCambridge again the place men.

Also racing for the Irish Championship were the Junior Productions, with Ryan Berry and Callum Doak sharing the front row in very difficult track conditions. It was Matthew Weir who coped best and quickly hit the front, and despite the close attentions of Leyton Hughes it was Matthew who raced home to a fine win and his second Irish title. Hughes, Jake Devlin and Doak filled out the places.
The Irish Revenge race saw Ryan Abernethy lead for much of the distance, only to get bundled out of the top spot on the last lap which earned Devlin a disqualification. That allowed Andrew Russell through to take the win over Dylan Fegan and Joshua Murray.

The hard hitting 1300 Stock Cars again fielded a grid in excess of twenty cars, with Alexander McCreadie leading for much of the distance in heat one before he was relegated late on by the flying Gareth Halliday. As Halliday took the win, McCreadie and formula debutant Shea Duff filled the places. Fionn Donnelly led heat two only for a last lap caution for a stray wheel on track to bring proceedings to a halt. That meant a one lap dash to the flag, and Donnelly hung on for the victory over Robbie Wright and Matthew Milliken.
The closed grid King of Aghadowey was an action packed affair, with the bumpers going in right from the off which led to numerous yellow flags throughout the duration. Through it all it was Wright who claimed the chequered flag, with Milliken and Willie Stewart completing the top three at the end of a very bruising race.

Daniel Rodgers was the star of the opening Thunder Rods heat, the Ballymena driver revelling in the wet conditions to race from the rear of the grid to take a great win over Steven McKane and Josh Goligher. Heat two saw David Reynolds pulling clear to take the chequered flag, with Rodgers and McKane again impressing in second and third.
Josh Young led the final away, but Goligher was on the move this time and quickly slipped ahead to the lead. Josh edged clear and kept the rest at bay for the whole distance, taking the trophy in style ahead of Joshua McMullan and Reynolds.

Maxwell Stars At Tullyroan Oval Speedweekend

National Hot Rods ace Adam Maxwell was on tip-top form during the Tullyroan Oval Speedweekend, the Crumlin driver claiming victory in both the British Championship and the Leslie Dallas Memorial Trophy. On a weekend full of title races, Glenavy’s Joe Largey won the Stock Rods European Championship, England’s Chris Bradbury won the Superstox British Championship and the Classic Hot Rods Best in Britain fell to Meath’s Anthony Morgan.
The coveted Keir Millar Memorial Trophy was up for grabs for the young Ninja Kart stars and it fell to Ahoghill’s Lewis Hazlett, whilst Antrim star Conor Hughes won the Irish Masters for the 2.0 Hot Rods.

A quality grid from right across the British Isles descended on Tullyroan Oval for the British Championship for National Hot Rods. The heats fell to defending champion Shane Murray from Galgorm, Crumlin’s John Christie and County Waterford’s Dave Casey .
On aggregate points another Crumlin star, Adam Maxwell, had annexed pole position for the British Final, and despite the weather having now turned very wet Maxwell led the field all the way to claim the victory. Adam even survived a number of restarts on his way to a very deserving win, with England’s Billy Wood in second and Portadown’s Glenn Bell in third.
The second day of action was for the prestigious Leslie Dallas Memorial Trophy, with a superb prize fund to go with it. Maxwell picked up exactly where he left off with a win in heat one. It came in the most dramatic fashion, as a late burst on the outside of leader Wood saw Adam snatch the win on the line by just 0.019 seconds. Heat two then went the way of current European and National Champion Robert McDonald from Scotland, with Maxwell again impressing in second.
Maxwell again pulled clear right from the off in the final, and was never headed as he stormed to a very emotional win, as his partner Hannah is the niece of Leslie Dallas, and she was on hand to help present the magnificent trophy. Bell took the runner up spot ahead of McDonald in third.

The qualifying heats for the Stock Rods European Championship were shared by World Champ Dan Shannon and Joe Largey (both Glenavy) and Nutts Corner’s Mark Crawford. The competition was ferocious throughout, and there was no let up in the final either.
Polesitter Sam McNeice went out right at the start when he lost his bonnet, and that then saw Sam Wilson and Stevie McNiece have turns out front. But coming like the proverbial train was Largey, closing right onto the leading McNiece before slipping under him to take the biggest win of his career to date. Stevie McNiece and Scotland’s Stewart Aitken completed the podium places.
Sunday’s Irish Masters saw Largey and Sam McNeice share the heat wins, before Randalstown ace Sam made amends for that early European exit on the previous evening by taking the title ahead of Largey and Shannon.

The Superstox were hard hitting and exciting throughout the weekend, with Londonderry’s Neil Hyndman the winner of their opening British Championship heat, before heat two went the way of Surrey driver Eric Walker. The rain returned for the British final, and there was a great battle between Irish Champion Steven Haugh, English Champion Chris Bradbury and World Champion Craig McConnell. They exchanged blows and places, with Berkshire ace Bradbury coming out on top ahead of McConnell, Jordan Robinson and David Beattie.
The Irish Open was contested on Sunday, with Bradbury going through the card unbeaten by winning both heats and the final. Michael Green had to make do with second in the Irish Open final, with Martyn Coles getting the best of a late race tussle with Curtis Greer to sensationally snatch third spot.

The cars of yesterday in the Classic Hot Rods rolled back the years for many over the weekend, with Co Meath’s Anthony Morgan and England’s Kev Gooding sharing the Saturday heat wins. A fantastic Best in Britain final saw Gooding ahead, before Morgan executed the perfect outside line pass to win over Gooding and Tommy Graham.
Sunday’s Irish Open saw Somerset star Gooding take the win in both heats and the final to land the title, with Morgan in second.

The coveted Keir Millar Memorial Trophy for Ninja Karts saw an excellent entry on hand, with the heats shared between Scotland’s Christopher Lattka and English drivers Charlie Weston and Mason Carberry.
The final was run in very wet conditions, and produced a fantastic race. Lewis Hazlett, Jake Barnett and Riley Dawson-Stirling were battling hard for much of the distance, with Hazlett ahead when it mattered most to take the superb trophy back to Ahoghill for the next twelve months. Irish Champion Charlie Johnston nipped home to grab second ahead of defending champion Stuart Shevill and Keegan Turtle.

The 2.0 Hot Rods joined the fray on Sunday for their Irish Masters, with the heat wins going to Ally Neill and Adam Heatrick. Antrim ace Conor Hughes hit the front in the final and never looked back, Conor taking the victory over Neill, Heatrick and Drew McKeown.

Many thanks to our Speedweekend sponsors, Mk2 Escort Shells & Spares

Adam Is Best In Hoosier Series Grand Final

A closely fought Hoosier Racing Tyres Challenge Series Final for 2.0 Hot Rods at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday night saw Aughnacloy’s Adam Best take the victory after a very tight finish. There were also two King of Aghadowey titles up for grabs on the race programme, with Ballycastle’s Andrew McLean victorious in the Thunder Rods whilst Letterkenny’s Andrew Russell raced to the Junior Productions version. The other feature race wins fell to Ballymena’s Aaron Ward in the all-action 1300 Stock Cars and Ahoghill’s Lewis Hazlett in the Ninja Karts.

The opening 2.0 Hot Rods heat saw recent newcomer Peter Henderson lead for much of the distance, only to lose out in the closing stages to a fast charging Adam Best. Henderson held on for second ahead of British Champion Wayne Woolsey. Henderson again led heat two, but this time it was Ryan McCrory who charged ahead to victory over Best, with Irish Champion Drew McKeown in third.
The Hoosier Challenge Series Final was gridded on points scored during the series, with Best and McKeown sharing the front row. It was a feisty race with no quarter given, and certainly none expected, throughout the distance with places exchanged constantly. Best kept his nose ahead all the way to take the win, ahead of Allen Cherry and Michael Woods after a tremendous race. The top three all received new race tyres courtesy of Hoosier UK.

Irish Champion Jason Darragh drew pole spot for the opening Thunder Rods heat, and duly led all the way for a clear win over Adam Graham and James Goldie. Heat two saw a welcome win for Ballymena man David Reynolds, who was chased home by Samuel Montgomery and David Wilson.
Darragh set the pace early in the final, until he ran wide on the Brown Trout Bend. That slight lapse saw Andrew McLean pounce, and he went ahead and on to the King of Aghadowey title in some style. Goldie’s attempts at a fifth straight title only just failed as he finished second, ahead of Wilson and Joshua McMullan.

The second King of Aghadowey title of the evening was for the teenage aces in the Junior Productions. Andrew Russell drew pole for heat one and took a clear victory over Matthew Weir and Robbie Dallas, with Harry Minish then taking victory in heat two after relegating early leaders Andrew Hawe and Lacey Bevan.
The final saw Russell and Callum Doak share the front of the grid on aggregate points, with Andrew quickly settling into the lead. Minish soon worked his way to second, but try as he might he couldn’t close on Russell as the Donegal driver took a very impressive win. Minish and Dallas completed the podium ahead of Doak and Leyton Hughes.

Arguable the formula of the night were the 1300 Stock Cars, with a very impressive 21 car grid producing action galore in each and every race. A very lively heat one saw exchanges of bumpers on each and every bend, with white grader Aaron Ward continuing his good recent run to take the win over Josh McKinstry and Davy Wright. McKinstry’s evening came to a spectacular finish in heat two, as he went for a huge rollover down the back straight as a pack of 10 cars all tried to claim the same piece of tarmac. Ward again led another bruising encounter, only for Matthew Milliken to strike superbly on the last bend to come through and take the win. Ward and Ivan Elliott completed the top three.
Ward again made his break in the final, and the Ballymena teenager claimed the win to complete his double for the evening and earn a rise in grading for his next meeting. Milliken came across the line in second but was docked two places for jumping the start, which saw Gareth Halliday and Wright claim the final podium places.

Completing the programme were the Ninja Karts, where Ethan McQuillan led heat one until a mid race caution brought out the yellow flags and closed the field up. NI Points Champion Riley-Dawson Stirling came through to grab the win ahead of Jake Barnett and Lewis Hazlett. McQuillan again impressed in heat two, but this time after a caution it was Alan Beattie who raced past to take a great victory over Barnett and McQuillan.
On his best showing to date, McQuillan again set the pace in the final, even surviving a mid-race caution to still hold onto the top spot. The star men were catching though, and an opportune move from Hazlett saw him work a gap down the inside into the final bend to take the win at the line. McQuillan could be more than pleased in second, ahead of Irish Champion Charlie Johnston and impressive debutant Austin Grattan.

Mainland Drivers Take Two Big Wins At Tullyroan

There were mainland UK victories in two of the feature races at a baking hot Tullyroan Oval on Saturday night (September 9th). Perthshire driver James Mooney came out victorious in the third round of Diemens.com National Hot Rods World Series NI, whilst Berkshire ace Chris Bradbury won both the Superstox meeting final and the NIOvalTV/Spedeworth TV Shootout.
Glenavy’s Jonny Cardwell took the win in the Stock Rods Tullyroan Challenge Cup, with Garvagh’s William McFaul claiming the Tullyroan Challenge Cup for the Rookie Bangers. Portadown star Nigel Jackson took yet another Lightning Rods feature race win.

A sensational start to the night for the National Hot Rods saw a blanket finish to heat one amongst 10 or more cars, with Simon Kennedy getting the nod for a great win ahead of Podge McQuaid, James Mooney and John Christie. Heat two saw a tricky surface after a shower of rain, with former World Champion Keith Martin mastering the conditions to steer his Tigra to the win over Derek McMillan and Jeff Riordan.
The final of Diemens.com World Series NI Round 3 saw Scotsman Mooney relegate early leader Kenny McCann to take the lead, and as the rest squabbled over the places James made good his escape. That lead was eroded though due to a mid race caution period for a turn two incident, but James got the head down on the restart and once again edged clear of the pack to take an impressive win. Martin, Christie and Dean McCrory filled out the top four places.

The Superstox entry once again broke the 20-car barrier, with newly crowned World Champion Craig McConnell christening his gold roof with a win in the opening heat from the back of the grid. Conor Murphy just couldn’t withstand the last lap challenge but took second, ahead of Andrew Murphy and Jamie McCann. Heat two saw a huge battle between the superstar drivers which thwarted their progress, with Alan Haugh celebrating his return to racing with a great win ahead of Dean Catherwood and Graham Meek.
The final was run in damp conditions, which suited welcome visitor Chris Bradbury to a tee. He worked his way through the pack effortlessly, the former World Champion taking a clear win over Steven Haugh and Meek.
To round off the meeting we had a six car Shootout Final for the NIOvalTV/SpedeworthTV Series. Bradbury crept onto the back of the grid thanks to his final win, and after Jamie McCann skittled the pack on the first corner Chris accepted the gift of the lead and the win. David Beattie and David McMenemy followed Bradbury home, with all three receiving Trackshop vouchers from the sponsors.

The Tullyroan Challenge Cup was the first meeting for the Stock Rods on their new control Hooiser tyre, and it was quite fitting that the newly crowned World Champion Dan Shannon took the win over Stevie McNiece and Mark Foster. The reverse grid second heat saw Jonny Cardwell take the victory, with Sam Wilson and Sam McNeice chasing him across the line.
Sam McNeice was on pole for the final on aggregate points, and he grabbed the lead right from the off to control the race ahead of Cardwell. Just when Sam looked all set to record the victory, he was taken out of contention by an errant backmarker at half distance, and heartbreakingly was out of the race. Cardwell took up the running and took the Challenge Cup win over Stevie McNiece and Shannon.

The Rookie Bangers entertained all evening with some top class action. William McFaul won the opener ahead of Stephen Boyd and Josh Goligher, with a very lively second heat falling to Boyd ahead of Aaron McGraw and Marc Morrell.
McFaul led the opening laps of the Tullyroan Challenge Cup, but he got mixed up with backmarkers which allowed Morrell to hit the front. McFaul fought back with gusto though, retaking the top spot to claim the win over Morrell and Boyd.

There was a flag to flag victory in the opening Lightning Rods heat for Ian Hobson, as he just held off Mark McCambridge at the flag. McCambridge went one better in heat two, taking a deserved win ahead of James McKinney.
The final saw a damp track, and that’s where World, European and National Champion Nigel Jackson comes into his own. With ease he worked his way through the field to take the lead and the win, with McKinney and welcome Tipperary visitor Keith Kirwan in the podium places.

Big Tullyroan Wins For Hylands and Hughes

There’s always something special about stock car racing under the floodlights, and that was certainly the case at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday night. All five divisions on show were on top form, with Portadown’s Adam Hylands coming out victorious in the second round of Diemens.com World Series NI for National Hot Rods as he took a heat and final double.
The coveted Lee Cherry Memorial Trophy for 2.0 Hot Rods fell to Antrim’s Conor Hughes, whilst Crumlin’s Matthew Milliken took the honours in the Irish Masters for 1300 Stock Cars. The other feature race wins fell to Kilmore’s Lauren Berry in the Junior Productions and Cullybackey’s David Wilson in the Thunder Rods.

A quick shower made the track very greasy for the opening National Hot Rods heat, and that led to a superb race. Keith Martin led early on from Scotsman James Mooney, but the star men were finding grip out wide and were flying towards the front. Recently crowned World Champion Derek Martin marked his return to his home track with a fine win, ahead of Adam Maxwell and Keith Martin. Heat two saw a runaway victory for Adam Hylands, the multi-championship winner cruising home ahead of Keith Martin and Nigel McCauley.
Keith Martin led the opening laps of the final, as there was a huge places battle between Hylands and McCauley for the opening few tours. They were all brought up short by a caution period for the stricken Phil McCloy, which closed the field together for the restart. Hylands quickly hit the outside line to power ahead to the lead, and despite Derek Martin, Shane Murray and Glenn Bell giving chase, Adam was more than able to hold his advantage to make it a double for the evening as he visited the Diemens Hot Sauces Victory Lane.

The 2.0 Hot Rods were racing for the stunning Lee Cherry Memorial Trophy, with a very healthy field in excess of 20 cars on the grid. Irish Champion Drew McKeown took a fine win in the opening heat from the front of the drawn grid, ahead of Conor Hughes and Gary Butler. Heat two was another very, very busy affair, with Adam Heatrick taking a deserved win ahead of Cork’s Ian Riordan and local man Allen Cherry.
Hughes got the jump ahead of McKeown at the start of the feature race, and Conor duly raced home to take arguably the prettiest trophy in Ulster oval racing. McKeown and Heatrick completed the delighted podium finishers, ahead of Riordan, Jordan Rochford and Scott Cochrane.

The contact element of the evening was provided by the 1300 Stock Cars, with Aaron Ward leading the opening qualifying heat for the Irish Masters until a mid race caution period for debris on the raceway. That brought the pack together and Aaron got bundled into the wall, which allowed Matthew Milliken to take the win over Ivan Elliott and the returning Dan Feeney. Ward made amends in some style in heat two, the former star of the junior formulas taking a commanding win over Elliott and Milliken.
There was drama ahead of the final as Milliken only just made the grid after pit lane issues, but he duly took up his pole spot for the feature event with only moments to spare. There was an explosive first corner as most of the field got the bumpers in, but Milliken rode it best of all and pulled clear. He would never be challenged again and took the chequered flag for an emphatic win. Elliott and Feeney completed the podium top three.

As they regularly do at Tullyroan Oval, the Thunder Rods put on some great racing all evening. Matthew Nicholl took a great heat one win over David Wilson and David Reynolds. Nicholl came close to repeating the feat in heat two, but a spirited defence from Ryan Nixon over the final laps saw him just hang on for the win. Nicholl and Joshua McMullan completed the top three.
Tom Archibald led the opening laps of the final, but as the pack came together it was Wilson who took the gamble on the wide outside line. In a great effort, David dragged himself ahead and on to the victory. Daniel Rodgers and James Goldie impressed on their way to second and third, ahead of Steven McKane and Reynolds.

Lauren Berry produced a great drive to take a clear win in the opening Junior Productions heat of the night, leading home Dylan Fegan and Andrew Russell. Heat two saw a first ever win in the formula for Ryan Abernethy Jnr, as he capitalised after first across the line Robbie Dallas was docked to third for jumping the start. With Abernethy promoted to the win, Callum Doak took second after a fine drive from the rear of the grid.
The final was once again all about Berry, as Lauren raced clear of the field early on and never looked back. She took her second final win on the trot in great fashion, with Abernethy taking the runner up slot. A late burst around the outside from Leyton Hughes netted him third spot ahead of Matthew Weir, with Leyton smashing the lap record into the bargain.

Butler Crowned 2.0 Hot Rods King of Aghadowey

Dublin driver Gary Butler was crowned 2.0 Hot Rods King of Aghadowey after a thrilling encounter at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday night. Cullybackey’s David Wilson was also on top form, as he drove a blinder to win the Thunder Rods final, whilst young Scottish star Christopher Lattka took his first ever race win as he was victorious in the Ninja Karts feature race.
Glenavy’s Mark McCambridge won the Lightning Rods final with World Champion Stevo McGrath crowned King of Aghadowey in the Unlimited National Bangers.

The opening qualifier for the 2.0 Hot Rods saw Gary Butler take the win as he just held off Irish Champion Drew McKeown at the flag. The second encounter saw British Champion Wayne Woolsey take the victory, with Feargal McNally and World Champ Jordan Rochford next home.
There was a dramatic start to the King of Aghadowey final with Woolsey the first to show amongst a huge gaggle of cars squabbling over the top places. Somehow Butler found a way to the front ahead of defending champion Conor Hughes, with Woolsey coming back strong in third. He quickly went second and chased down Butler’s lead, but try as Wayne might it was Gary who held on to take the win. Woolsey, McKeown and Hughes filled out the places.

The Thunder Rods were once again on top form, producing three excellent and closely fought races. Ballymena driver Gary Freeburn took both heat wins, the first ahead of David Wilson and Matthew Nicholl in a superb dice. Heat two saw Gary head home Chris McNeill and David Reynolds for his second chequered flag of the night.
The final was a fantastic race, with a lead battle containing over a dozen cars at one stage. McNeill was leading the way and fending off allcomers, with Freeburn, Reynolds and Nicholl all attempting to get past him without success. Step forward Wilson, and the Cullybackey star swooped right around the outside line to take the win in fantastic fashion. A messy last lap saw a whole host of penalties handed down, with Reynolds eventually taking the runner up spot ahead of Daniel Rodgers.

Once again the 6-11 year old stars entertained all evening with some spectacular racing. Front runners Christopher Lattka and Tommy Johnston tripped over each other on the final bend when within sight of the flag in heat one. That opened the door for Ahoghill’s Lewis Hazlett to take the win ahead of Cullybackey’s Keegan Turtle. Scottish visitor Lattka looked set to take the heat two glory, only to unfortunately spin out of the lead in the closing stages. That opened the way for a first ever victory for County Down's Alan Beattie ahead of Jake Barnett.
Having come so close in the heats, the final was all about Lattka as he stormed clear early on into a lead he was never going to lose. The son of five-times Stock Rods World Champion Chris ‘Gunner’ Lattka, Christopher powered home to take his first ever win on only his second visit to the Aghadowey circuit. Beattie and Turtle rounded out the top three to end another superb meeting from the youngsters.

Vince Litter took both heat wins in the Lightning Rods, heading home Mark McCambridge in both to earn himself an upgrade for the final. Ian Hobson set the pace in the feature race for some time, before Litter’s attack for the top spot punted Hobson wide and earned a warning from Race Control. Litter went on to take the chequered flag, but he was docked 2 places to third in the final analysis which handed victory to a delighted McCambridge ahead of James McKinney.

A somewhat depleted field of Unlimited National Bangers came to grid, with a close encounter for the King of Aghadowey falling to World Champion Stevo McGrath ahead of Leonard Dunn. Dunn then went on to win both Allcomers races.

Goligher Family Race To Rookie Bangers Teams Title

An action packed meeting of short circuit motorsport was enjoyed at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday evening. The Rookie Bangers were on great form, and whilst Garvagh’s Stephen Boyd took the final win it was Limavady based ‘Team Hooligans A’, featuring the Goligher family, that were crowned Irish Teams Champions.
Young Lurgan driver Graham Meek took a tremendous victory in the Moffett Shield for Superstox, whilst Portadown’s Wayne Woolsey continued his great run of form with another final win in the 2.0 Hot Rods. The other feature race wins fell to welcome Tipperary Raceway visitor Eogan Burke in the Stock Rods and Kilmore teenager Lauren Berry in the Junior Productions.

Another big field of Rookie Bangers came to grid for the Irish Teams Championship, raced for by 3-a-side teams. ‘Team Hooligans A’ laid down a marker by taking the top three spots in heat one, led by Lucas Goligher ahead of his brother Josh and father John. Heat two saw even more spectacular action, with Lucas Goligher again hitting the front before he encountered major drama on the back straight and rolled onto his side! His brother Josh came through for the win for their team once again, ahead of Marc Morrell for ‘Bad Company’.
The double points final could have changed the standings dramatically, and amidst even more entertainment it was Stephen Boyd for ‘Bad Company’ who took the victory ahead of Phillip Farrell. Lucas Goligher returned to third after his big crash in the previous race, and that was more than enough to net his ‘Team Hooligans A’ the Irish Teams title.

The magnificent Moffett Shield was up for grabs for the Superstox, with Neil Hyndman setting a great pace in heat one before being demoted by Graham Meek. Graham then succumbed to pressure from Jamie McCann late on as he took the win. Meek and Craig McConnell followed Jamie home. The second heat was a tremendous race with David Beattie the first man across the line, only to be docked two places by the Stewards for jumping the start. That handed victory to Meek ahead of McCann.
Under the floodlights the Moffett Shield final was a spectacular affair, with some fantastic exchanges of bumpers amongst the star men early on. That allowed Meek to edge clear once he had hit the front, with Curtis Greer this time leading the charge to catch the flying teenager. Greer tried an ambitious last bend lunge for the win, but he was just too far back as Meek took the flag for the biggest win of his senior career to date. McConnell nicked second on the line ahead of Greer and Lee Davison. Conor Murphy also received a prize from the Moffett Family for being the first white or yellow grade driver home.

Sean Maher from Tipperary Raceway joined the regulars in a bulging 2.0 Hot Rods entry, with Robbie Barnett setting the pace in the opener before losing out to a flying Michael Woods. Woods took the win over Drew McKeown and Adam Heatrick. Heat two saw Feargal McNally put his new car to good use by taking the win, with the crowd kept on their toes by a superb outside line charge by British Champion Wayne Woolsey to second.
The feature race saw Barnett leading the way early on, before McNally worked his way past at half way to take up the running. All eyes though were once again on Woolsey, as one by one he picked off the others to land on the back bumper of the leader with 5 laps to go. Woolsey hit the outside to take the win and yet another trophy in emphatic style, with McNally, Woods and welcome returnee Gary Butler next home.

Welcome Tipperary visitor Eogan Burke led the way in the opening Stock Rods heat, the youngster losing out to Mark Foster at the half way mark. Foster went on to take the win over Adam Sloan and Jonny Cardwell. A great outside line run from Declan O’Connor saw him a very worthy winner of heat two, with Sloan again in second ahead of Burke.
Burke made a superb getaway to lead the final. But he soon was joined at the head of the field by a four car train of Victor McAfee, Sloan, O’Connor and Foster. It turned into a tremendous finish, with novice grader Burke managing to hold on for a very popular victory over Sloan and Foster.

It was a Berry family benefit in the opening Junior Productions heat, as Lauren led early on only to be demoted by her brother Ryan as he took the win. Lauren made it a family one-two ahead of Jake Devlin. Heat two saw a first ever win in the formula for Andrew Hawe, as he held off girl racers Lauren Berry and Maia Thompson at the flag after a fine drive.
The final saw Lauren Berry stamp her authority on proceedings early on, and despite the best efforts of the others she romped home to a great win. Hawe was again great value in second ahead of Matthew Weir and Ryan Berry.

During the meeting the fans were also treated to some demonstration laps by Hot Rod Hero Norman Woolsey as he celebrated his 80th birthday. Norman was behind the wheel of the Davy McCall Chevette Classic Hot Rod and showed he has lost none of his old flair!

Jordan Takes Last Gasp Irish Open Victory

English driver Ryan Jordan drove a storming race at Tullyroan Oval on Sunday afternoon to take a sensational Irish Open Championship win in the 1300 Stock Cars. The Aldershot driver pounced in the closing stages to take a great victory, whilst local Portadown ace Wayne Woolsey continued his great recent form with a win in the second round of the Hoosier Challenge Series for 2.0 Hot Rods .
Donemana’s Leonard Dunn took victory in the Unlimited National Bangers King of Krash whilst other feature race wins fell to Scotland’s Maia Thompson in the Junior Productions, Kildare’s Tommy Graham in the Classic Hot Rods and Irish Champion Steven Haugh from the Birches in the Superstox.

A number of mainland visitors joined the local 1300 Stock Cars for the Irish Open Championship, with the opening heat falling to Josh McKinstry ahead of England’s Jacob Bromley. Heat two saw a dominant win for Ivan Elliott, the defending Irish Open Champion coming home ahead of Jack Kearney and England’s Joe Giles.
The final turned out to be one of the races of the season, with the bumpers and the lead exchanged on numerous occasions. Gareth Halliday looked good out front early on, even surviving a mid race debris caution to hang onto the lead. The action was relentless throughout the field, with Robbie Wright edging ahead before he too was bundled out of contention. Bromley then hit the front only for Elliott to come back to the lead, having looked totally out of it at one stage!
It boiled down to a last lap shoot out between Elliott, Bromley and Ryan Jordan, with Ryan timing his attack on Elliott to perfection to claim the win, just holding off Bromley on the run to the line in the closest of finishes. Joe Giles and Curtis Tebbenham were next home for an all English top four, with Jonathan Brown and Elliott fifth and sixth respectively.

Vince Litter set the early pace in the opening 2.0 Hot Rods heat, before losing out to a fast charging Michael Woods who went on to win over Drew McKeown and Scott Cochrane. Recently crowned British Champion Wayne Woolsey then took the second heat with a commanding drive over Woods, before repeating the feat with ease in the Hoosier Tyres Challenge Series Round 2 Final with another outstanding drive to earn himself the trophy and a new race tyre. Ryan McCrory impressed on his way to second, ahead of Adam Heatrick and Woods.

An excellent grid of Superstox produced great racing all day, with the opener falling to Jamie McCann after a late race challenge on Lee Davison. Troy Crawford underlined his excellent recent improvement by leading the second heat for some distance, but he just couldn’t hold off Jordan Robinson as he raced past to take the win.
The final saw Davison setting the pace, before an in-form Steven Haugh bumpered his way past, with the Irish Champion going on to take a great win. Craig McConnell and McCann completed the top three.

The opening Junior Productions heat saw a win for Dylan Fegan after he relegated early leader Casey Cherry. The second heat saw a welcome win for Matthew Weir, as he held off Leyton Hughes and Jake Devlin at the flag.
The final saw Maia Thompson slip under Cherry early on to take up the running, and despite pressure from behind, and the star names looming in her mirrors, she held on all the way home to take her first ever race win. Maia even survived a late race caution period which made the win even more impressive, with Callum Doak taking second after he had a tremendous finish powering around the wide outside line. Weir, Cherry and Fegan were next home.

Six Classic Hot Rods arrived to do battle, although we did lose Thomas Dilly to a blown engine in practice. The drivers raced superbly all afternoon, with the Mk2 Escort’s and Anglia’s a sight to behold. Anthony Morgan took the opening heat win after relegating leader Mark Monaghan, before popular veteran Tommy Graham took the second heat by holding off the challenging Morgan. The final again boiled down to a battle between Morgan and Graham, with Tommy once again coming out on top after an impressive drive in the wet conditions.

A smaller than normal field of Unlimited National Bangers saw Leonard Dunn spun out of the early lead in the King of Krash race by Deano McGrath, only for Leonard to fight back in style by catching and spinning Deano out to take the win.
Leonard then also took the first Allcomers race win too, before Stevo McGrath then took victory in the second Allcomers and the DD.

Super Summer Speedweekend At Aghadowey Oval

Despite some horrendous conditions over the weekend, drivers from right across the British Isles served up some superb racing during the annual Summer Speedweekend at Aghadowey Oval. The main event was the Lightning Rods Championship of the World, with Portadown's Nigel Jackson taking a record breaking fourth title win. The British Championship for 2.0 Hot Rods saw another Portadown driver triumph, as Wayne Woolsey raced to victory. The other major title event of the weekend was the Ninja Karts British Championship, with young Suffolk visitor Max Taylor racing to a tremendous victory.

A great entry of Lightning Rods took to the track in sodden conditions for the first of three qualifying heats for the World Championship. Glenavy’s Mark McCambridge took the win with European Champion Nigel Jackson looking ominous as he grabbed second with a great outside line run. Heat two fell the way of English visitor Ashley Birkin, with Jackson again in second spot.
Heat Three saw Irish Champion Stuart Agnew in victory lane with a win, with British Champ Dean Catherwood and Ross Houston getting the best of a big places scrap in second and third.
Conditions were at their worst for the Cherry Pipes sponsored World Championship, with Jackson hitting the front from pole position early on. Throughout the 40 laps Nigel was just revelling in his favoured wet conditions, and he took the chequered flag to record his fourth World title win and on a fourth different circuit too. It also marked the first World title win for a BMW in the formula. Another great fight for second in the pouring rain fell to Catherwood ahead of Birkin and another English driver, Max Goodier.

In the contrasting sunny conditions on Sunday, Jackson was again on top form as he won the NI Open Championship, ahead of Agnew and Catherwood, following another dominant drive.

The opening British Championship qualifier for the 2.0 Hot Rods saw a remarkable drive from Scotland’s Jason Secker, as he sped through from mid grid to take a fine win ahead of fellow countryman Keith Brown. The second heat again saw Secker catching the eye, as he made it two from two to lay down a marker to the rest in the wet conditions. The final heat saw a popular win for East Anglia’s Damian Wright as he held off Cork’s Ian Riordan to take the chequered flag.

The British Championship final was contested on Sunday afternoon, and consistency across the three heats saw Wayne Woolsey on pole position, with Secker alongside at the head of the grid. Despite Secker’s best efforts in the now dry conditions, Woolsey was able to edge clear and build an advantage he wouldn’t lose. The Portadown driver raced home to a decisive win, taking the second British title of his career having last won it in 2008.

The reversed grid British Revenge race saw a morale boosting win for Broughshane’s Adam Weir, before Riordan took the NI Open Championship trophy ahead of Drew McKeown and Ryan McCrory.

Well over 30 Ninja Karts from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland converged on Aghadowey to contest their British Championship. Ahoghill’s Lewis Hazlett took the opening heat ahead of Cullybackey’s Keegan Turtle, before Heat Two fell the way of another local driver, Rowdy Grattan from Portadown. World Champion Mason Carberry from England was second, in a race that will long be remembered for a huge acrobatic crash for National and English Champion Charlie Weston.
Astonishingly Charlie was back on track for the final heat, which fell to Essex lad William Hunn who just held off Scotland’s Stuart Shevill and Max Taylor from Ipswich at the chequered flag.

The British Championship race saw huge spray on the very wet track, with all the young 6-11 year old stars coping admirably. There was a super battle up front throughout, with Taylor taking the biggest win of his career to date as he was crowned British Champion. Shevill and Hunn completed the podium places ahead of Jack Jones.

On Sunday the Irish Open Championship was up for grabs, with three keenly fought heats falling to Jack Morrison, Jaxon York and Taylor. The Irish Open Final was another nail-biting encounter with Taylor taking his second big win of the weekend ahead of Jones and Shevill.

The elite formula of the local racing scene, the National Hot Rods contested the opening round of Diemens.com World Series NI. Amongst the entry was Dungannon's new World Champion Derek Martin, as the road to Ipswich 2024 began in great fashion with a 19-car entry. John Christie claimed the opening heat win ahead of Jeff Riordan, before veteran Andy Stewart drove a superb defensive race in heat two to hold off the pack in the closest of finishes.
The final was all about Christie once again, as he completed his double for the afternoon was a dominant display to win over Carl Sloan and Glenn Bell.

There was some great support racing over the weekend, with Cullybackey’s Curtis Greer taking a heat and final double in the Superstox as he revelled in the wet, whilst the other heat fell to recent returnee to the sport Davy Clarke.

The Stock Rods were also in action in Saturday’s awful weather, and it was Mark Foster from Armagh who grabbed the silverware after the heats had been shared by Dan Shannon and Stevie McNiece.

The Junior Productions fielded a great grid of cars on Sunday afternoon, headed by the new British Champion Joshua Murray. Casey Cherry and Lauren Berry were the heat winners, before Alfie Litter had the drive of his career so far to win the final for his first ever race victory. Matthew Weir and Robbie Dallas completed the podium places.

Many thanks to our meeting sponsors, Cherry Pipes Ltd