1600 Bangers European Title Tops Big Weekend Of Race Action

Aghadowey Oval
This Saturday evening, June 6th, Aghadowey Oval proudly stages the 1600 Bangers European Championship for the first ever time. A huge field of drivers from far and wide are set to descend on the venue to battle it out for victory, including a very strong representation from England.

The action is set to come thick and fast around the tight Aghadowey circuit, with over 40 drivers chasing their European title dreams. Amongst those leading the local charge will be Garvagh's Stephen Boyd, the current Irish Open and NI Points Champ who warmed up in the best possible style with a final win at Tullyroan Oval a fortnight ago. Limavady's Irish Champion Lucas Goligher is another who will have high hopes of taking the big win. As a former World Champion, the big races and big fields will hold no fears for him. His father John Goligher is another former World Champion who will be chasing European glory, as will his Ulster Champion brother Josh. Ballymoney's Steven Bolton is another top runner with experience of the big events, alongside Alan Haugh who has been showing great pace of late.

Amongst the visiting challenge are a host of top English drivers including Jack Coveney, Harry Botfield, Luke Farrington, Chris Oldcorn and Charlie Barwell to name a few. All are hugely experienced drivers on the Spedeworth Motorsports circuits of East Anglia and the south of England.

A full support programme is also planned, including the high speed 2.0 Hot Rods as they battle for World Championship qualification with just two meetings remaining until the end of the NI Points Championship. Jake Devlin was victorious last time out and showed great pace, but as always a whole host of star grade names will be chasing hard including British Champion Conor Hughes, former World Champions Adam Hylands and Andy Best plus Callum Doak and James McKinney.

The single-seater Superstox formula will provide some high-speed contact action, headed up by World and European Champion Steven Haugh and British, Irish and Internations Cup holder Jordan Robinson. Watch out too for local man Dean Catherwood who won the final last week at Tullyroan.
The Thunder Rods division will chase the coveted DMC Gold Cup, sponsored annually by McLaughlin Plumbing & Heating ,with Andrew McLean from Ballycastle defending the title. As always a whole host of drivers will be keen to land the win, including Irish Champion James Goldie and recent form man Liam Wilson. Liam’s father Nolan won the King of Aghadowey recently and will be after another big win.

Last but not least come the hard hitting, ironed-up 1400 Stock Cars with the entry headed by Cullybackey’s World Champion Curtis Greer. The racing has been superb this season from the formula and they always deliver the goods! With every meeting we have different winners, and this weekend should be no different but it is sure to be drama filled!

The first race leaves the grid at the earlier than usual time of 4pm.

Tullyroan Oval
The following day, Sunday 7th June, the action moves to Tullyroan Oval with a 2pm start time.

The 1600 Bangers will again be in action in the Irish Open Championship. The action should again be hot and heavy after the big European Championship the night before, as Stephen Boyd defends his Irish Open title.

The Unlimited National Bangers are also in action for the coveted Shamwreck title. The Unlimited scene may not be what it once was, but with a respectable entry on hand the Shamwreck title is still one they all want to win. Matthew Nicholl defends his title, with Kieran McIvor another former winner set to be in action. Star names of the local scene like Stevo McGrath, Leonard Dunn and Steven Reynolds will be hoping to get their names on the title for the first time. With entertainers like Rodney Herron, Jonny Murdock and Davy Patton on the entry there are sure to be some spectacular crashes!

The young Ninja Kart aces contest the annual Golden Helmet meeting, and with a huge entry we have even had to split the heats. Jack Murphy, Ollie Williamson and Jaxon Cairns will be amongst the local aces chasing glory, alongside Jordan Davis who took a heat and final double last time out. From England come European Champion George White, multi champion Mason Carberry, Henry Hunn, Elliot Lake, Alfie Mills and Bobby Davis Jnr Jnr whilst representing Scotland we have Jayden Jeffrey, Blair Innes, Lochie Heeps, Alfie MacLeod and Alix Martin. Usual Tipperary visitor Tadhg Coonan also travels north to join the fun.

The Lightning Rods have produced some outstanding racing recently, and this week should be no exception. Champion drivers Nigel Jackson, Mark Corry, Ross Houston and Jake Morgan will have their work cut out chasing recent form men Mark McBurney, Duane Wheelan and Conor Doherty. There are also a quartet of welcome Tipperary visitors - Padraig Palmer, Michael Moloney, Keith Kirwan and Mark Ryan.

There is also visiting interest in the Junior Productions, where Adam Donnelly and Nicole Innes from Scotland will join the local drivers. Main man Leyton Hughes, on the back of recent National Championship and Tullyroan Challenge Cup glory, will be the one to beat, with Jack Morrison, Noah Teggart, Ryan Berry and Casey Cherry also set to chase victory.

Latest Booking Lists:
1600 Bangers 2026 European Championship
4 Josh Goligher
13 Dylan Farrell
22 Tyler McMaster
24 Stephen Boyd
25 Chris Herron
32 Aaron McGraw
33 Alan Haugh
40 John Goligher
44 Lucas Goligher
53 Ryan Nixon
55 Liam Stewart
59 Steven Bolton
60 Daniel Croskell
99 Jonny Rutherford
115 Michael Hyland
147 Kevin Moran
152 Josh Anderson
161 Ashley Bodenham
165 Charlie Barwell
190 Ben McKenna
212 Karlos McMaster
215 Leonard Dunn
227 Gavin Taylor
254 Reece Coton
301 Jack Botfield
313 Reece McMaster
325 Keith McMahon
333 Gavin Gamble
351 Adrian Martins
424 Andy Farley
448 Luke Farrington
521 Jack Coveney
555 Thomas Stewart
612 Craig Nichol
759 Chris Oldcorn
819 Lee Booth
902 Matthew Nicholl
995 Billy Joe Thompson
999 Karl Smyth

1600 Bangers - Extras For Irish Open Championship (Sunday only)
11 Rodney Watson
020 Greg Liggan
262 Matthew Weir
315 Ross Gaffney
389 Deano McGrath
777 Dylan Connolly


Unlimited National Bangers - Shamwreck 2026
17 Sean Flaherty
25 Chris Herron
125 Rodney Herron
160 Davy Patton
173 Steven Reynolds
177 Paul Compelli
215 Leonard Dunn
273 Jake Reynolds
356 Lee Carr
363 Jonny Murdock
388 Stevo McGrath
389 Deano McGrath
811 Kieran McIvor
902 Matthew Nicholl
947 Gordy McKee

Other Visiting Drivers
Ninja Karts
5 Albert Mills
9 Jayden Jeffrey
13 Alix Martin
23 Mason Carberry
36 George White
132 Blair Innes
339 Henry Hunn
484 Lochie Heeps
532 Bobby Davis Jnr Jnr
573 Elliott Lake
666 Alfie McLeod
839 Tadhg Coonan

Lightning Rods
48 Mark Ryan
53 Padraig Palmer
121 Michael Moloney
229 Keith Kirwan

Junior Productions
232 Nicole Innes
359 Adam Donnelly