National Hot Rods Head Packed Aghadowey Programme

Stock Car and Hot Rod racing fans are gearing up for a spectacular night of action at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday, August 22nd. With the first race roaring to life at 6.30pm, the evening promises action, excitement and drama across five action-packed classes.

National Hot Rods
Headlining the evening is Round 2 of National Hot Rods World Series NI. All eyes will undoubtedly be on Portadown’s Glenn Bell. The recently crowned World Champion returns to local tarmac hot off the heels of a major Tour victory in South Africa, and local fans will be eager to see the champ back on home soil.
However, Bell faces a fierce field of competitors hungry for series points. Adam Heatrick enters the meeting on an absolute high after storming to a magnificent hat-trick of wins at the last Aghadowey meeting. Adding to the intrigue is Galgorm’s Shane Murray, who has shown blazing pace in his new Lotus. With former World Champions John Christie and Derek Martin also in the mix, this round is set to be an absolute classic of short circuit racing.

Stock Rods
The coveted King of Aghadowey title is on the line for the Stock Rods—an event that is always one of the most hotly contested fixtures of the year.
Defending champion Mark Foster of Armagh will face a massive challenge to retain his crown. Foster, who recently secured a brilliant third place finish in the National Championship, faces a strong challenge from National runner-up Mark Crawford, who is back on top form. Enniskillen’s Stevie McNiece, a three-time former winner of this event, knows exactly what it takes to win on the big stage, while Siobhan Martin will be looking for redemption after coming agonisingly close to lifting the trophy last year.

1400 Stock Cars
If it is action you are looking for, the 1400 Stock Cars King of Aghadowey title race will deliver in abundance. Known for its rough and tumble nature, this ironed-up class is guaranteed to provide plenty of bumper smashing drama. Irish Champion Curtis Greer from Cullybackey enters the event as the heavy favourite, but in this unpredictable and rugged class anything can happen once the green flag drops.

Thunder Rods
The entry level Thunder Rods class is guaranteed to field a big grid, ensuring spectacular and close racing throughout the pack. Kilrea’s Adam McMullan will look to replicate his winning performance from the last meeting, while Sam Dougherty and Jordan Nicholl will aim to build on their impressive recent outings. They will have to contend with star drivers like Ballymena’s Irish Champion James Goldie and current points leader Liam Wilson of Limavady, both of whom are always ones to watch.

Ninja Karts
The racing action begins with the young stars of the future in the Ninja Karts class, featuring talented drivers aged between 6 and 11 years old. Magherafelt’s Jordan Davis took a brilliant final win at the last meeting and will look to carry that momentum forward, while novice competitor Paul Crooks also impressed onlookers last time out. They will be pushed to the limit by a fast-moving star contingent, including Irish Champion Jack Murphy, NI points champion Ollie Williamson, and the ever-speedy Jaxon Cairns.

With five top flight classes on display, Aghadowey Oval is the place to be this Saturday night for an evening of exciting motorsport. Racing starts at 6.30pm sharp.

Added 18/08/2026

McMillan Top In 2.0 Hot Rods, Banger Wins for McKee and Goligher

Some excellent entertainment was served up at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday, August 15th, with an excellent crowd on hand too on a fine evening. The 2.0 Hot Rods excelled all night, with the Tullyroan Challenge Cup falling to Kells driver Shane McMillan. The Ulster Championship for 1600 Rookie Bangers was successfully defended by Limavady’s Josh Goligher, whilst Gordy Mckee claimed the King of Krash in the Unlimited National Bangers.
Crumlin’s Gerard Hartley took a great win in the Moffett Shield for Superstox whilst Armagh’s Mark Foster won the Stock Rods final at the meeting kindly sponsored by McKinney Safety Centre of Strabane.

2.0 Hot Rods
A big grid of twenty three 2.0 Hot Rods took to the track with British Champion Callum Doak taking a comfortable win in heat one ahead of Shane McMillan and Mick Rodgers. The reversed grid heat two saw two big crashes which eliminated a number of runners, the worst being for Adam Weir who seemed to have a suspension breakage before hitting the wall hard on the back straight. World Champion Adam Hylands took the win ahead of James McKinney and Jordan Rochford.
The Tullyroan Challenge Cup final saw McMillan and McKinney share the front row of the grid, and they commenced a huge side by side tussle for the opening segment of the race. McKinney was giving it his all on the outside, but McMillan was equal to him and held his nerve in top spot with Rochford keeping a watching brief in third. McMillan impressed as he took the flag to win ahead of McKinney, Rochford, Hylands and Jake Devlin.

1600 Rookie Bangers
Entertainment was the name of the game in the 1600 Rookie Bangers, with Karl Smyth ahead in heat one before Superstox World Champion Steven Haugh raced through to win. Heat two was another excellent race, with Josh Goligher this time coming home to win from Haugh and Smyth.
The final was for the Ulster Championship, and it was exciting right from the off! Goligher managed to edge clear of the drama and he took a creditable win to successfully defend his Ulster title. Haugh took second with Stephen Boyd grabbing third after a great late battle for the final podium position. Superstox
A pleasing grid of Superstox were on hand for the annual Moffett Shield, and the opening heat saw World, European and Best in Britain Champion Steven Haugh power through to win. It was a busy night for Steven as he also took a victory in the Rookie Bangers category. Heat two saw Gerard Hartley again out front but this time it was Dean Catherwood who stormed home to victory over Troy Crawford and Jamie McCann.
The Moffett Shield Final saw Hartley quickly hit the front and he was carrying some great pace. Despite the best efforts of the star men who were bursting through the field, they were never going to get on terms with Gerard. He raced home for a fantastic win and the magnificent shield, with McCann impressing in second over Catherwood and Jordan Robinson.

Unlimited National Bangers
Despite the lower than expected numbers, the Unlimited National Bangers still put on a show. The King of Krash race saw a few big hits dished out as Gordy McKee took the win over Stevo McGrath. McKee was victorious again in the Allcomers, before repeating the feat in the Showdown race as well to complete a hat-trick for the night. Irish Champion Deano McGrath was runner up in both, with Stevo McGrath claiming his fifth Points Championship in a row with a brace of third places.

Stock Rods
The Stock Rods were as close and competitive as always, with the opening heat seeing Mark Foster pass Jamie Cardwell on the outside for a great win. Heat two saw Jaydon Brunton take a well deserved victory on the debut of her new car, She raced home ahead of welcome visitor John Gray and Sam Wilson.
Brunton again led the way in the final, but she could offer little resistance when Foster arrived to challenge. Mark raced past to take his second win of the night, with Jaydon impressing many on her way to a gallant runner up slot. Cardwell, Mark Crawford and Stevie McNiece were next home.

Many thanks to our meeting sponsors, McKinney Safety Centre

Added 17/08/2026

Rochford Romps Home For Aghadowey Victory

Irish Champion Jordan Rochford from Portadown produced a superb drive on the outside line to take a well deserved final win in the 2.0 Hot Rods at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday night, August 8th. On a night a competitive racing and close finishes, the annual Young Trophy for the Junior Productions went the way of Ryan Berry from Richhill, with the other feature races falling to another Richill driver in Ian Hobson (Lightning Rods), Kilrea’s Adam McMullan and Magherafelt’s Jordan Davis (Ninja Karts).

2.0 Hot Rods
Dean McFarland quickly hit the front in the opening 2.0 Hot Rods heat, racing home to win ahead of Rab Preston and Rob Barnett. Heat two saw Aaron Dilly taking the flag, just holding off Adam Weir and James McKinney.
The final was arguably the race of the night, with a first lap skirmish when Barnett spun delaying all of the star grade. Dilly held on out front, with McFarland trying the outside line for the lead but he just couldn’t make it stick. The others were now queuing up behind, with little between up to 10 cars at a time. Rochford clawed his way back into the lead pack late on, quickly working his car onto the outside line and past Dilly for a sensational win. Aaron held on for second ahead of Weir, with British Champion Callum Doak coming on late to snatch fourth having actually spun in the first lap melee.

Junior Productions
Novice grader Rowdy Grattan was the man to watch in the Junior Productions heats, taking a career first win in the opener ahead of Ryan Berry and Jack Morrison, before superbly repeating the feat in heat two to win again over Berry and Casey Cherry.
The Young Trophy, a superb cup presented annually by the Young and Hosie families, was up for grabs in the final with polesitter Grattan unfortunately going out early on with a broken driveshaft. Berry assumed the lead and fought an impressive rearguard battle as the placement were breathing down his neck lap after lap. Ryan held his nerve to take a morale boosting win ahead of Leyton Hughes and Noah Teggart, with grade awards going to Kori Curran and Charlie Hill. The Endeavour Award went the way of Liza Kennedy-Gurney who didn’t put a foot wrong all night in only her second outing Lightning Rods
Long distance traveller Dermot Tynan drove a great race to win the first Lightning Rods heat ahead of Conor Doherty, before Doherty went one better to win heat two ahead of Mark McBurney.
The final saw Ian Hobson hit the front and he managed to hold off the whole pack who were crawling all over him for much of the duration. As Ian took the win, the places fell to Irish Champion Ross Houston and Doherty.

Thunder Rods
A bulging grid of well over 20 Thunder Rods entertained as they always do, with Jordan Nicholl taking the opening heat after lead duo Sam Dougherty and Joshua McMullan tripped over each other on the last lap. Nicholl looked set to win again in heat two, only to slow late on handing victory to Dougherty.
The final kicked off with a big crash on the Brown Trout Bend in the opening laps which eliminated a number of cars. Once things settled down Adam McMullan hit the front, and he held on to take the silverware from Dougherty and James Steele.

Ninja Karts
There was also a big grid of Ninja Karts on hand, and young racer Paul Crooks took his first ever win in the opening heat and celebrated in style over the line! Harry Hoy and Joey Henderson filled the places. Heat two saw a huge rollover for Matthew McNeill, as Jack Murphy took the win over William Brown and Ollie Williamson.
Henderson led much of the distance in the final, only to tangle with Cahan Bradley and Hoy in the latter stages. That opened the way for Jordan Davis to power through for the victory over Luke Grattan and Denver Bevan.

Added 10/08/2026

Rochford & Jackson On Form At Tullyroan

Another session of competitive short oval racing entertained everyone present at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday, July 25th. Portadown’s Jordan Rochford had a great night on track, scooping victory in the second round of the Hoosier Tyres Challenge Series, whilst fellow Portadown man Nigel Jackson took an unprecedented eighth victory in the Lightning Rods Tullyroan Challenge Cup.
Gregg Hyndman from Londonderry marked his return to racing with a controlled Superstox final win in the slippery conditions, whilst Kilrea’s Joshua McMullan was victorious in the Thunder Rods and recently crowned Irish Open Champion, Jack Morrison from Portadown, took the Junior Productions honours.

Only a week after the British Championship, it was great to see a 19-car turnout take to the Tullyroan track for Round 2 of the Hoosier Challenge Series. Dean McFarland pulled out a substantial lead in the opening heat before a late race yellow flag, called when Ally Neill lost a wheel. That gave World Champion Adam Hylands the opportunity to power ahead at the restart to win over Jordan Rochford and McFarland. Londonderry’s McFarland made no mistake in heat two, winning at a canter over Andy Best and Ronan McNally.
The final saw McFarland and Rochford share the front row on what was now a damp, slippery track. Rochford wasted no time hitting the front, and from there he pulled clear to take a clear win and receive a new race tyre from the series sponsors. James McKinney got the better of a great scrap with Hylands to take second, with new British Champion Callum Doak in fourth.

An excellent field of Lightning Rods, including several Tipperary Raceway visitors, were on hand to contest the Tullyroan Challenge Cup. European Champion Jake Morgan took the honours in heat one ahead of a tight battle for second between Nigel Jackson and Mark McBurney. Heat two saw Irish Champion Ross Houston take the win from a hard charging Ronan O’Connor.
Jackson quickly assumed the lead in the Tullyroan Challenge Cup final, with McBurney in second until Houston found a way past. Jackson controlled things from the front to take an amazing eighth victory in the race, despite looking as though he had hit mechanical trouble on the final lap. Houston held off the advances of Michael Moloney to take second, with McBurney and O’Connor rounding out the top five. Brandon Litter and then Neil Hyndman had spells ahead in the opening Superstox heat, but it was Stephen Stewart who pounced on the last lap to snatch an excellent victory ahead of the newlywed Dean Catherwood and Jamie McCann. Litter again led heat two, but this time Stewart hit the front just past half way to record his second win of the night and earn an upgrade for the final.
With the track at it’s worst for the final, Gregg Hyndman came into his own and quickly stretched out quite an advantage that he wouldn’t lose all the way home. As he took a fantastic win, British and Irish Champion Jordan Robinson also impressed on his way to second ahead of Troy Crawford and Neil Hyndman.

The Thunder Rods made one of the their regular visits to Tullyroan, with Jason Darragh the winner of the opening heat before Sam Dougherty sped to a career first victory in heat two.
The racing was close and exciting all evening, and in the final it was Joshua McMullan who edged clear to record the victory over star men Liam Wilson and James Goldie.

The teenagers in the Junior Productions were as close and competitive as ever, with the race wins unfortunately being decided in the post race scrutineering checks. Luke Goligher had driven superbly to take the flag in all three races, only to fail a post final weight check. That saw him unfortunately excluded from all three races on the night, meaning the heat wins ultimately went to Ryan Abernethy and Casey Cherry, with Jack Morrison inheriting the final victory ahead of Charlie Hill and Leyton Hughes.

Added 27/07/2026

Young Guns To The Fore At Aghadowey Speedweekend

A full weekend of British Championship oval racing in the sunshine at the Aghadowey Oval Speedweekend saw big wins for some talented young drivers. Seventeen-year-old Portadown driver Callum Doak took a sensational victory in the 2.0 Hot Rods British Championship, whilst the youngest driver in the Stock Rods field, Scotland’s 16-year-old David Philp Jnr Jnr, also claimed British Championship glory.
In the junior formula’s there were another two British titles up for grabs, with Norfolk’s Ralph Payne winning in the Ninja Karts for 6-11 year olds and Antrim teenager Leyton Hughes successfully defending his British title in the Junior Productions.
Portadown’s Adam Heatrick took a perfect hat-trick in the National Hot Rods on Sunday, whilst Josh Goligher from Limavady took a heat and final double in Saturday night’s 1600 Rookie Bangers.

2.0 Hot Rods
There was some excellent racing in the 2.0 Hot Rods British Championship qualifying heats, with defending champion Conor Hughes taking the opening heat win, followed up by victories for World Champion Adam Hylands and local Aghadowey racer Aaron Stewart.
On aggregate points the polesitter for the British final on Sunday was Callum Doak, all the more creditable in that he had completed a 44-mile charity run between Tullyroan Oval and Aghadowey Oval on Saturday before racing commenced – an absolutely unbelievable achievement. Callum then went on to control the British Championship title race, briefly losing the lead the Hylands before snatching it back in the heavy backmarking traffic. As Portadown teenager Doak celebrated his first ever major title win on what was an absolute dream weekend for him, Scotland’s Jason Secker and Hylands completed the podium places.
Ethan Dilly drove the race of his life to win the British Revenge race, before Secker claimed the NI Open ahead of Jordan Rochford and Doak.

Stock Rods
A cosmopolitan field of Stock Rods competed in their British Championship, with the heats falling to Cork’s Darragh O’Shea, Meath’s Declan O’Connor and Tipperary’s Eogan Burke. Two excellent heats had annexed pole spot for O’Connor, but in an explosive start to the British Championship final he lost out as Scotland’s Davy Philp Jnr Jnr powered ahead. The sixteen-year-old showed experience way beyond his years to take the win in superb style, heading home Harry Minish and Sam McNeice at the chequered flag.
Sunday saw Irish Masters heats shared by O’Connor and McNeice, before O’Connor dominated the final to take the title ahead of Scotland’s Robbie Armit and Minish. Junior Productions
The teenage stars in the Junior Productions contested their British title on Saturday night, with heat wins shared between Antrim’s defending champion Leyton Hughes, Scotland’s Callum Ritchie and Portadown’s Jack Morrison. Hughes then held top spot in the British title race from flag to flag to successfully defend his crown, despite huge pressure for the majority of the distance from Morrison and third placed Casey Cherry.
Sunday saw heats wins going to Cherry, Noah Teggart and Hughes, before Cherry led the Irish Open Championship with Morrison right on his case. With just three laps to go Morrison saw his opportunity and grabbed it with both hands, surging home to win from Cherry and Charlie Johnston.

Ninja Karts
It was a real festival of Ninja Karts racing with a huge field on hand for their British Championship. Saturday’s heats fell to Scottish duo of Alfie Shevill and Rory Wilson, and England’s Ralph Payne. Sunday’s British Championship final was a nail-biting affair from start to finish, and after a late caution period it was Payne who raced home to the title win after a great drive ahead of World Champion George Cooper from East Anglia and Portadown’s Jaxon Cairns.
Irish Champion Jack Murphy then won the British Revenge race, before an exciting Irish Open Championship also fell to Murphy ahead of Wilson and Shevill.

National Hot Rods
The elite National Hot Rods raced in the opening round of their 2027 World Series, and it was Adam Heatrick who took both heat wins in his Mazda. Shane Murray chased him home in heat one before Allen Cherry claimed runner up slot in heat two.
The final turned into the race of the weekend, with leader Heatrick fighting a rearguard battle against Murray before much of the rest of the field joined the scrap late on. Murray was great value as he got his nose ahead by the slenderest of margins in the closing stages, but Heatrick just held on when it mattered to complete his hat-trick in a blanket finish. Murray, World Champion Glenn Bell and Derek Martin chased him across the line.

1600 Rookie Bangers
The exciting Rookie Bangers added an extra dimension to Saturday’s proceedings. Alan Haugh snatched the heat one win on the last bend from Karl Smyth, before Josh Goligher took a very lively heat two. Goligher then grabbed the King of Aghadowey final too to complete a double for the night, ahead of Haugh and Steven Boyd.

Many thanks to our Speedweekend sponsors, Cherry Pipes & Scrapco

Added 20/07/2026

Bomb Squad Race To Bangers Teams Title

A fine midsummer’s evening at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday, June 20th, produced healthy grids and exciting racing for the big crowd on hand. Local Birches man Alan Haugh stormed through to a heat and final win in the 1600 Rookie Bangers, which helped his family team, ‘The Bomb Squad’, to the Irish Teams Championship title.
Arguably the best finish of the night came from the Superstox, as Portadown’s Paddy Murphy just held on to win the Neil Davison Memorial Cup, whilst Banbridge teenager Noah Teggart won the Moffett Shield for Junior Productions. The other feature race winners were Nutts Corner’s Mark Crawford in the Stock Rods and Cullybackey’s World Champion Curtis Greer in the 1400 Stock Cars.

The opening 1600 Rookie Bangers heat saw an exciting finish, as Alan Haugh stormed past leader Steven Bolton on the last lap to take the win for The Bomb Squad, with important points up for grabs in the quest for the Irish Teams Championship. Heat two was again full of action, with Steven Boyd from Bad Company taking victory ahead of Josh Goligher from Team Golly.
There were a couple of stoppages in the final as the action continued apace, but it was Alan Haugh who raced to victory despite having to survive the restarts from the front. His brother Steven Haugh came through late on for second to seal the Teams Championship win for The Bomb Squad, with Bolton and Karl Smyth next home.

The opening Superstox heat saw a popular flag to flag win for teenager Brandon Litter, as he held off Paddy Murphy and Jamie McCann. Litter again led early in heat two until Murphy powered ahead to win from Stephen Stewart and Steven Haugh.
The final, for the Neil Davison Memorial Cup, was a superb race. Neil Hyndman was ahead until Murphy then hit the front, but as the laps dwindled down the star duo of Jordan Robinson and Haugh were bearing down on him fast. Going into the last lap it was anyone’s race, but as the bumpers were used hard into the final bend, Murphy was able to withstand the pressure from behind to take the win. Robinson had made a fantastic effort on the last bend but had to settle for second, ahead of Haugh in third. Murphy collected the superb cup and a new tyre from Neil’s family, with Litter getting the best white grade finisher award. A very healthy field of Junior Productions saw a packed raceway all evening, with Austin Grattan leading the opening heat until National, British and Irish Champion Leyton Hughes powered past late on to grab the win. Heat two went the way of another star grader, as Casey Cherry took the win over Noah Teggart and Jack Morrison.
The Moffett Shield final saw Grattan the early leader until Teggart went to the front at half distance. He was challenged late on by Hughes, but when Morrison got involved too it earned Teggart the break he needed to race home to a very deserved win indeed. Morrison snatched second ahead of Hughes and Cherry, with Grattan taking the award for the best White or Yellow grade finisher.

Another big field of Stock Rods were bolstered by three very welcome visitors from Tipperary Raceway. Ryan Carroll showed well out front early on, but it was Mark Crawford who came through for the win despite the best efforts of Mark Foster who took second. Foster went one better in heat two, taking the victory over Crawford and Neil Capper.
Capper led the final until well past half-distance, but he was unable to hold off the advances of Crawford. Mark swooped past to take it up, racing home to complete a morale boosting double for the night. Foster, Sam Wilson and Eogan Burke completed the top four.

The opening 1400 Stock Cars heat saw a clear win for Matthew McKinstry ahead of Matthew Weir and Curtis Greer. Heat two saw newcomers Ciaran Doris and Norman Purdy have spells in the top spot, before World Champion Curtis Greer sliced through the field to take a great win over Gary Freeburn and Josh McKinstry.
The final was a cracking race, with Alexander McCreadie, Curtis McConkey, Weir and Matthew McKinstry having a great battle for the lead. But Greer was soon there too, and he hit the front despite McKinstry’s best efforts to come back at him. Greer took a pleasing win, and in the process wrapped up the 2025/26 NI points Championship, with McConkey hanging on for second despite a last bend assault from Fionn Donnelly.

Added 12/07/2026

Hughes & Corry Crowned Kings of Aghadowey

A fine, dry evening at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday, June 13th, saw some tremendous racing served up on track by the five formulas in action. Antrim’s Conor Hughes claimed the 2.0 Hot Rods King of Aghadowey crown, whilst Portadown ace Mark Corry took the King of Aghadowey for the Lightning Rods. The other feature race winners at the meeting were Meath’s Declan O’Connor in the Stock Rods, Portadown’s Steven Haugh in the Superstox and Ballymoney driver Norman Purdy in the Thunder Rods.

The opening 2.0 Hot Rods heat saw Kells driver Shane McMillan take the win despite late pressure from Jordan Rochford and Callum Doak, before the reversed grid heat two went the way of Conor Hughes ahead of Thomas Dilly and James McKinney.
On aggregate points from the heats Hughes and Rochford shared the front row for the King of Aghadowey race, with Conor quickly pulling clear out front. A great battle for second ensued, with McKinney holding sway until a superb move into turn one from Doak saw him grab the runner up slot. Hughes was well down the road by now though, taking an emphatic win over Doak, Rochford and McKinney.

The Lightning Rods utilised graded heats, with both falling the way of Mark McBurney with ease. He claimed the opener ahead of a huge places battle that went the way of Conor Doherty ahead of Irish Champ Ross Houston. Heat two was once again a McBurney benefit, as he won at a canter to beat Houston and Mark Corry.
World Cup holder Corry quickly found a way past pole man McBurney in the King of Aghadowey final, but he soon had Houston and a number of others squabbling at his heels. Mark held resolute all the way home to take the chequered flag after an intense encounter, with Ian Hobson great value in second after a fine outside run. McBurney, Stuart Agnew and Andrew Woods were next home. Neil Capper and Jaydon Brunton both led a big field of Stock Rods early on in heat one, before star man Harry Minish powered through to win ahead of European Champion Dan Shannon and Darragh O’Shea. Recent Junior Productions graduate Ryan Jackson impressed out front in heat two, but he succumbed to a late charge from the evergreen Victor McAfee as he took the win. Jackson and Sam McNeice completed the top three.
Jackson again set the pace in the final, but come mid distance he was being chased hard by Minish. Just as Harry arrived to commence battle he hit mechanical issues and retired in a cloud of smoke. That left Declan O’Connor to chase the leader, and he pulled off a superb outside line pass with less than three laps remaining to take a very good win indeed. Jackson could be well pleased with second, ahead of Shannon, McAfee and Samuel Murphy.

A much improved field of Superstox impressed all evening with some excellent racing, and the opening heat fell to Sean Mark after early pacesetter Neil Hyndman and then Ethan Martin tripped over backmarking traffic. Behind Sean, Martin and Steven Haugh completed the placemen. Heat two saw plenty of action early on, with Mark going ahead before star grader Dean Catherwood sped through to win over Jamie McCann and Haugh.
Hyndman hit the front early in the final until he hit problems, handing the mantle to Martin. But Ethan had no answer to the flying World Champion Haugh, Steven slicing through to yet another win and in some style too. McCann, Martin, Jordan Robinson and Mark completed the top five.

The Thunder Rods fielded a very impressive 22 cars, with Toby Hutton leading the opening heat until the very last lap, when Jordan Nicholl pulled off an impressive outside line overtake to win, with Hutton and Lee McCloy next home. Heat two saw lady racer Stephanie Hawthorne lead the pack for almost the whole distance, until Norman Purdy went ahead late on. But Purdy has docked by the Steward for an incident earlier in the race, handing a first ever career win to a delighted Hawthorne.
The final was action packed on a very busy track indeed, with Hutton showing well out front until Purdy showed his hand in the closing stages. Norman powered past with five laps to go, and this time there was no penalty to worry about and he collected the silverware. McCloy and Hutton completed the top three ahead of Adam McKinney and James Steele.

Added 12/07/2026

Former World Champions McGrath and Bolton Star At Tullyroan

Two former National Banger World Champions were the stars of the show at Tullyroan Oval on Sunday, June 7th on an afternoon of top class international race action. In the Unlimited National Bangers, Dublin’s Stevo McGrath finally got his hands on the Shamwreck title after a fine drive, whilst Ballymoney’s Steven Bolton took a simply superb win in the 1600 Bangers Irish Open Championship.
Richhill’s Jack Murphy won a well subscribed Ninja Karts Golden Helmet Award, whilst the other feature race wins went to Limavady debutant Luke Goligher (Junior Productions) and Aaron Rogers from Dundalk (Lightning Rods).

The first race for the Unlimited National Bangers was the coveted Shamwreck 2026 race, with Gordy McKee the early leader until a stoppage for a loose wheel on track. At the resumption a puncture thwarted McKee’s progress, allowing Stevo McGrath to power through to win the Shamwreck title ahead of his nephew Deano McGrath, with Steven Reynolds in third for an all-Dublin top three.
The Allcomers race saw a huge wreck for Leonard Dunn after he was smashed up by Mark Hughes, with McKee getting the win this time ahead of Stevo McGrath and Paul Compelli. The Showdown race completed proceedings, with Stevo taking another win ahead of Reynolds and Compelli. The race finished with some huge hits on the Annaghmore Bend to send the fans home happy. Hughes took the honours as Entertainer of the Day with Dunn claiming Best Wreck.

34 cars came under starters orders for the opening 1600 Bangers heat, with England’s Daniel Croskell out front despite a stoppage. Steven Bolton tracked his every move though, and thundered him wide into the final bend to claim a superb victory ahead of Jack Botfield and Andy Farley. Heat two was another action packed encounter, with England’s Charlie Barwell taking the win over Josh Goligher and Luke Farrington.
The final was right from the top drawer, with Barwell ahead from Goligher early on, until Bolton dispatched Goligher superbly into a parked car to take up second. Steven and Alan Haugh then went past Barwell, and nudged each other back and forth as they swapped the lead. Bolton was ahead on the final lap, and just overcame a last bend assault from Haugh to take the flag in fantastic style. Haugh was a gallant runner up for the second event in a row, ahead of Barwell, Stephen Boyd and Farrington. A full field of Ninja Karts from across the British Isles required split qualifying heats, and they fell to Richhill’s Jack Murphy, Magherafelt’s Jordan Davis and Ballymena’s Matthew McNeill. The Golden Helmet final saw a huge field on track, with England’s Johnny Wheeler disputing the early lead with McNeill, until Murphy arrived to challenge. Jack swooped past to take the honours after a great drive, with East Anglian’s George Cooper and Mason Carberry completing the top three.

The opening Lightning Rods heats saw a sublime wet weather performance by Andrew Woods as he took a great win over Irish Champion Ross Houston, with Mark McBurney then taking heat two ahead of Conor Doherty.
The feature race saw Dundalk driver Aaron Rogers set the pace out front, with McBurney and Doherty chasing him down in the closing stages. Aaron was equal to them all though, holding his nerve to keep them at bay and record his first ever victory in the formula in some style. McBurney, Doherty and Stuart Agnew followed Aaron home.

The Junior Productions were joined by welcome Scottish visitors Nicole Innes and Adam Donnelly, but it was king of the scene Leyton Hughes who dominated the dry first heat to win from Casey Cherry and Noah Teggart. Heat two saw a runaway victory in the wet by newcomer Luke Goligher, as he impressed with a runaway victory over Donnelly and Cherry.
The final was once again all about novice Goligher, and he showed great car control to edge further and further clear. Luke took his second win of the day in some style to end a dream debut meeting, with Jack Morrison and Jake Barnett next home.

Added 12/07/2026

Coveney Hangs On To Lift European Title

Englishman Jack Coveney made the long trip from London worthwhile when he won the 1600 Bangers European Championship at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday evening, June 6th. Portadown’s Alan Haugh tried his best on the last bend to unseat Coveney, but he had to settle for second.
In the other formulas in action, Strabane’s Adam McKinney won the DMC Gold Cup for Thunder Rods, with the other feature race wins falling to Nutts Corner driver Michael Woods (2.0 Hot Rods), Antrim’s Thomas McCrory (1400 Stock Cars) whilst Garvagh’s Troy Crawford took a faultless hat-trick in the Superstox.

A field of almost forty 1600 Bangers, including numerous cross-channel visitors, arrived to chase the European Championship, and with it an automatic entry into the World Final later in the year at Ipswich. Local star Josh Goligher showed his hand first with a fine heat one win ahead of Steven Bolton, before an action packed second heat fell to England’s Luke Farrington with Bolton again in second spot after early leader Jack Botfield found himself hard in the turn three wall. The final qualifier saw former World Champion John Goligher lead before Jack Coveney took the lead, the Londoner going on to win ahead of Alan Haugh and Daniel Croskell.
The European Championship final saw Coveney set the early pace, stretching out quite an advantage in the opening laps. Alan Haugh worked his way through to second, reducing the leader’s advantage by the lap. In the closing stages he was right with Coveney, but Jack was equal to Alan’s last bend lunge and he held on to take the European title after a fine drive. Portadown’s Haugh took a gallant second, with Ballymoney driver Steven Bolton in third ahead of Steven Haugh and Stephen Boyd.

The opening heat for the 2.0 Hot Rods saw a polished win for Aaron Dilly ahead of Dean McFarland and Ethan Dilly. Heat two saw a shower leave the track very slippery indeed, but Michael Woods revelled in the conditions to take a decisive victory over Aaron Stewart and Conor Hughes.
The final if anything was even more wet, with Woods working his way to the front once again. A mid-race restart saw British and Internations Cup Champion Hughes step forward to challenge, and the two then engaged in a super side-by-side battle for many laps. Just when Hughes thought he had it won, Woods switched back to nip up his inside on the last lap and grab a simply superb victory over Hughes, Callum Doak and James McKinney. The Thunder Rods were competing for the DMC Gold Cup, kindly sponsored by McLaughlin Plumbing & Heating of Coleraine. The opening heat saw a clear win for James Steele, as he broke clear to win over a great battle for second that went the way of Adam McKinney ahead of Mark Mclaughlin and Liam Wilson. The reversed grid second heat saw Norman Purdy flying in the damp conditions, as he took the win over James Goldie and Adam McMullan.
The final was lined up on aggregate points from the heats, and it soon developed into an absolutely fantastic dice between McKinney, Joshua McMullan and Wilson. Little separated them for most of the distance, with McKinney holding resolute on the inside and McMullan spending much of the race of the wide outside line. McKinney didn’t put a foot wrong to take the Gold Cup after a sterling drive, with McMullan great value in second ahead of Wilson, Goldie and Purdy.

The novice grade made a great break at the start of the opening 1400 Stock Cars heat, and it was Lexi Crooks who held on to take a very creditable win. Curtis McConkey and Curtis Greer chased her home, with McConkey spinning over the line. Crooks again led heat two, but this time Matthew Weir managed to forge ahead for the win over Alexander McCreadie.
The final saw plenty of action and bumperwork early on, and it was Thomas McCrory who broke free to edge out an advantage. Thomas controlled the race from there, coming through to take a popular victory ahead of the impressive Chrissy Dempsey and Weir.

A smaller than usual entry of Superstox saw yellow grader Troy Crawford show great pace in heat one, taking the win despite the closing attentions of World Champion Steven Haugh. Crawford again took the heat two honours, this time over the battling pair of Dean Catherwood and Jamie McCann.
An automatic upgrade saw Crawford further back on the grid for the final, but that didn’t deter him at all and he strolled home to another chequered flag to complete a perfect hat-trick for the night. McCann this time got second ahead of Catherwood and Haugh.

Added 08/06/2026

Ian Riordan Roars To Tullyroan Victory

The elite National Hot Rods formula rounded out their 2025/26 season when Round 14 of World Series NI was staged at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday, May 30th. It was Cork driver Ian Riordan who took an impressive final win, whilst another very creditable victory went to Drogheda’s Fionn Donnelly as he won the DMC Gold Cup for 1400 Stock Cars after an exciting battle.
Antrim teenager Leyton Hughes continued his great form with victory in the Tullyroan Challenge Cup for Junior Productions, with the other feature race wins falling to Larne’s Sam Wilson in the Stock Rods and Garvagh’s Dean Catherwood in the Superstox.

An excellent field were on hand for the opening National Hot Rod heat, and it was yellow grader Daby Clarke who showed them all the way home with a popular victory over Carl Sloan and Derek Martin. Heat two was on a very slippery surface with the cars on slick tyres, and it was John Christie who used all his experience to land the win after Clarke was penalised for a wrong starting position. Mark Heatrick inherited second ahead of the demoted Clarke.
The wet final was lined up in series points order, with Christie the first to show before Derek McMillan squeezed down his inside to take up the running. Derek stretched ahead but in the second half of the race Ian Riordan was closing with every lap. There followed an enthralling side-by-side battle, with Riordan just getting edge to race home to a very impressive win. McMillan, Drew McKeown (who spun over the line) and Jeff Riordan completed the places.

As always the 1400 Stock Cars provided top notch entertainment across the night. The first heat fell to Matthew McKinstry after he got past long time leader Lexi Crooks late on, before Matthew Weir was another last gasp winner of heat two after relegating pacesetter Chrissy Dempsey.
The final was a simply sensational race, with Weir clear ahead only for a mid-race caution to bring the field together. From then on it was drama all the way home! Fionn Donnelly went ahead only for Graham Meek to go in with the bumper and take it up. But Donnelly wasn’t done, coming back hard on Meek to snatch back the lead and take an excellent victory. Meek, Weir and Curtis Greer filled out the top four. The Junior Productions were contesting the Tullyroan Challenge Cup, with Rowdy Grattan leading the opening heat before recently crowned double National Champion Leyton Hughes powered through to win, smashing the lap record in the process. Jack Morrison and Noah Teggart completed the top three. Austin Grattan led the early stages of heat two, before Jake Barnett stormed through for the win over Casey Cherry and Hughes.
It had turned very wet for the final, and Hughes dominated from pole position to take the silverware in some style. Morrison impressed too on his way to second, with Teggart and Cherry next home.

The Stock Rods were their usual competitive selves, with nothing between a whole host of drivers throughout the night. Teenagers Ryan Carroll and Ryan Jackson disputed the heat one lead, before Harry Minish powered through to win ahead of Stevie McNeice and Sam McNeice. Stevie went one better in heat two, taking the win over Siobhan Martin, after first over the line Jonny Cardwell was penalised for contact.
In the final Sam Wilson worked his way past early pacesetters Carroll and Lacey Bevan, stretching ahead to take a splendid victory despite the closing attentions of Minish and Sam McNeice.

The Superstox heats were all about British and Irish Champion Jordan Robinson, the Portadown driver relegating Conor Murphy to take the opener over Steven Haugh, before repeating the feat in heat two over Dean Catherwood.
Jordan McFetridge set the pace in the final, but this time it was Catherwood who was showing excellent pace. He got the better of the star men to take a very pleasing victory ahead of Robinson, Haugh and Sean Mark.

Added 01/06/2026

Bell Rings Up Another National Hot Rod Victory

An exciting evening of racing at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday, May 23rd, saw Portadown ace Glenn Bell take the National Hot Rods honours in Round 13 of World Series NI. Dungannon’s Jake Devlin was another big winner as he scooped the 2.0 Hot Rods silverware, whilst the other feature race winners at the meeting were Garvagh’s Stephen Boyd (1600 Rookie Bangers), Ballymena’s Mark McBurney (Lightning Rods) and Magherafelt’s Jordan Davis (Ninja Karts).

The opening National Hot Rods heat saw Adam Heatrick out front until he hit trouble in the closing laps. That handed the lead and the win to the similar Mazda of former World Champion Derek Martin ahead of a fast charging Glenn Bell and Jeff Riordan. Heatrick led heat two before retiring once again, handing the lead to Martin before a caution was called with just three laps to go when Nigel Mccauley found himself stranded on the Tullyroan End. The restart was nail-biting stuff, with Martin getting bundled wide which opened the door for crowd favourite John Christie to take the win ahead of Martin and Bell.
The final saw Davy Clarke and then Martin ahead, but Derek then had no answer to the lightning fast duo of Bell and Christie. Both swept around the outside to hit the front, with Bell taking a very creditable victory despite the Lotus of Christie being glued to his rear end over the final laps. Riordan, Adam Maxwell and Derek McMillan completed the places.

The local 2.0 Hot Rods drivers were joined for the evening by World Champion Jason Secker from Scotland. The heats were all about Portadown man Rab Preston, as he grabbed the opener by a distance from Ronan McNally and Jake Devlin. Preston made good use of his white grading once again in heat two, taking another morale boosting victory. Stuart Agnew and Ryan McClure completed the top three after Devlin was docked for contact from second.
Preston again made his getaway at the front in the final, but Devlin once again had the bit between his teeth as he basted clear of his fellow blue graders. Jake pulled off a great outside pass to hit the front, taking a pleasing win over Aaron Stewart and Preston. There was action aplenty from a strong 24-car field of 1600 Rookie Bangers, with plenty going on around the track right from the first green flag in heat one. Steven Bolton broke free to win this one ahead of Deano McGrath and Alan Haugh.
Heat two again saw incidents galore, with a number of stoppages to rescue stranded drivers. Bolton was the man to watch once again as he took his second win of the night over Jonny Rutherford and Haugh.
Aaron McGraw set the pace in the final until he hit trouble and retired, which put Dubliner McGrath into the top spot chased by Haugh. Haugh then went out too, with Stephen Boyd getting himself ahead at this stage to win the silverware to round off a very entertaining evening. Lee Booth, Rutherford and Keith McMahon filled out the top spots.

The best entry of Lightning Rods so far this season included a couple of Tipperary visitors, but it was Conor Doherty who took the opening heat having held off Mark McBurney all the way home, with Tam Agnew in third. Heat two followed a similar pattern with Doherty again the victor despite the efforts of McBurney from behind. Ricky Shaw and Aaron Rogers were next home.
McBurney got to the head of the field quickly in the final, and from there he never looked back as he took a great win. In his mirrors though was a great places battle, which saw Nigel Jackson take a great runner up slot, equalling his lap record in the process. Doherty, Mark Corry and Shaw rounded out the top five.

The Ninja Karts field again burst through the 20 kart barrier, including England’s Bobby Davis Jnr Jnr and Tipperary’s Tadhg Coonan. Sophie Evans led early in heat one before she was overhauled by Joshua Moore who raced clear to take his first ever win over Davis Jnr Jnr and Ollie Williamson. Moore and Joey Henderson disputed the early lead in heat two before they tripped over each other and went out. Harry Hoy took over up front but it was Jordan Davis who powered through to the lead and the win over Davis Jnr Jnr and Irish Champion Jack Murphy.
Evans, Henderson and Joey McNally all had spells out front in the final, before star man Jaxon Cairns took over with Murphy right on his tail. Contact between the two saw Cairns spin out, and although Murphy came through to take the chequered flag he was unfortunately disqualified for his part in the demise of Cairns. That handed a delighted Jordan Davis his second win of the night ahead of Eddie Fowler, Davis Jnr Jnr and Williamson.

Added 25/05/2026

Hat-Trick Hero McKeown Dominates At Aghadowey

Co Armagh driver Drew McKeown was the star man at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday night, May 16th, as he went through the card unbeaten to scoop a hat-trick of wins in National Hot Rods World Series NI Round 12.
On a night of close, competitive racing Meath’s Declan O’Connor won the coveted William Cooke Memorial Trophy for Stock Rods, whilst there were King of Aghadowey title wins for Portadown’s Steven Haugh (Superstox) and Ballymoney’s Nolan Wilson (Thunder Rods). The other feature race of the evening fell to Lurgan’s Duane Wheelan as he completed a heat and final double in the Lightning Rods.

Davy Clarke stepped off the front of the grid to lead the opening National Hot Rods heat, but he had no answer to the pace of Drew McKeown as he powered through to the front to win over Derek McMillan and Jeff Riordan. Heat two saw McMillan the first to challenge Clarke on the outside line, but McKeown pulled off an opportunistic move up the inside of both to take his second victory of the night, this time ahead of Dean McCrory and Riordan.
McKeown quickly worked his way to the front in the feature final of World Series NI Round 12. He soon stretched clear and took the win to complete his hat-trick for the evening in some style after a faultless performance. McMillan impressed in second as he kept McKeown honest all the way home, with Riordan, McCrory and Adam Maxwell next over the line.

The Stock Rods were contesting the William Cooke Memorial Trophy, with the first graded heat win falling to Sam McNeice after he relegated Declan O’Connor after what was an excellent race. O’Connor made no mistake in heat two, this time getting his win ahead of Stevie McNiece and Siobhan Martin.
The final for the coveted trophy saw O’Connor grab the lead from pole, as major threat Sam McNeice got railroaded back from his outside front row start. Martin settled into second, but she just couldn’t quite get on terms with O’Connor to mount a challenge. Declan sped home to take the spoils after a fine drive, with Martin, Darragh O’Shea and Mark Foster filling the places. Jordan McFetridge impressed out front in the Superstox heats, the novice leading the opener until three laps to go when World Champion Steven Haugh powered through to win over Sean Mark. In heat two it was Conor Murphy who took over out front, taking a popular win from Mark and Ethan Martin.
The closed grid King of Aghadowey final saw Mark and Murphy occupy the front row, but it was Haugh who got the better of the early exchanges to hit the front, even holding off an early attack from Jamie McCann. Haugh then pulled clear to take the King of Aghadowey crown from McCann and Dean Catherwood.

It was also King of Aghadowey time for the Thunder Rods, with twenty cars on hand for the first heat. Andrew McLean soon hit the front in this one to win over Adam McKinney and Jason McMullan, before the reversed grid heat two went the way of Norman Purdy with Joshua McMullan and Mark McLaughlin following him home.
There was a huge early battle in the final for the second place, but this only allowed polesitter Nolan Wilson to edge further and further clear out front. McLaughlin eventually broke clear from the pack, but by now Wilson was long gone and he took a very impressive win indeed over McLaughlin, Jason Darragh, McKinney and James Goldie.

The Lightning Rods, whilst down in numbers, produced some outstanding racing all evening. Andrew Woods held the lead in the opener before Duane Wheelan rushed around his outside to grab a great win over Mark McBurney. In heat two it was Tom Hewitt who broke Woods’ resolute defence to take the win over Ian Hobson.
The final again saw Woods out front, and once again it was Wheelan who powered around the outside to complete his double for evening after a great performance. Conor Doherty and McBurney completed the top three.

Added 17/05/2026