Haugh & Morrow Crowned Irish Champions On Dramatic Night At Aghadowey

Despite wet and treacherous conditions all evening, the fans at Aghadowey Oval were served up some exciting racing throughout last Saturday’s championship event. Portadown driver Steven Haugh and Rathfriland’s Jack Morrow both secured Irish Championship titles in the Superstox and Junior Productions, with Glenavy’s Joe Largey (Stock Rods), Portadown’s Rab Preston (Thunder Rods) and Limavady’s John Goligher (Back to Basics Bangers) the other feature race winners.

Craig McConnell and Jamie McCann shared the front row for the Superstox Irish Championship, and what followed was a drama filled event! An action packed opening saw a number of fancied runners fall by the wayside, as McCann sped ahead to lead. Debris on the home straight saw a caution period called, and in the exchanges on the restart David McMenemy and then McConnell had spells out front. McCann was the fastest car on the track however and quickly came back into contention, taking the lead only for McConnell to come back at him and take both cars out of the running in dramatic fashion on the pit bend. For the restart, Steven Haugh had the top spot and he reeled off the remaining laps to take the coveted Irish title and the right to wear the green roof for the next twelve months. Conor Murphy came through for second with Gerard Hartley the only other of the handful of finishers on the lead lap in third.
The reverse grid Irish Revenge race saw World Champion Kyle Beattie take the win on a very greasy track, before the JMC Custom Paintwork Dash for Cash to complete the meeting fell to Curtis Greer.

The Junior Productions Irish Championship saw British Champion Jack Morrow on pole position alongside Daniel Stewart, and it was Morrow who coped best with the tricky conditions to pull clear out front early on. As Jack increased his advantage, Leyton Hughes and Matthew Weir were involved in a great scrap for second. A late caution period for a loose wheel couldn’t stop Jack’s march to the title, and he duly reeled off the remaining laps to take a well deserved win and the coveted Derek McMillan Memorial Trophy for Irish Champion. Hughes took a creditable second spot ahead of defending champion Weir, Callum Doak and Stewart. The reversed grid Irish Revenge event saw Dylan Fegan lead early on before Jake Devlin powered through to take a fine victory The Stock Rods were joined by welcome visitors John Gray and Paddy O’Dwyer from Tipperary Raceway, with Samuel Murphy claiming the opening heat win after demoting early leader Ryan Dilly. Joe Largey and Samuel Wilson filled the places. Teenager Dilly made no mistake in heat two, taking his maiden win in the formula ahead of Murphy and Largey.
The final was again run in atrocious track conditions, with Murphy stretching out a big lead early on. Largey was the man to watch though, and after finding a way past Wilson he set about reducing the deficit to Murphy out front. Samuel could offer little resistance when the challenge came, and with just five laps to go Largey swept ahead to take an impressive win over Wilson, Murphy and Victor McAfee.

The Thunder Rods opening heat saw a clear win for Ballymena’s Adam Graham ahead of David Wilson and Rab Preston. Heat two saw a big crash when Daniel Rodgers blew an engine and coated the track in oil, something which left the going very tricky for the rest of the field in the already wet conditions. The pace was almost at pedestrian level as the drivers did their best to just keep pointing in the right direction on the restart, with Graham again getting the nod by inches on the line after a drag race from the final bend with Josh Goligher. The final saw Sam Watt out front early on, but Preston soon took the lead and pulled well clear to take an emphatic win. Graham returned to second despite his upgrade after the brace of heat wins, with Wilson, James Goldie and Clifford Gordon next home.

A handful of Back to Basics Bangers once again helped to blood some new drivers to the sport, with Aaron McGraw and William McFaul sharing the heats before John Goligher came through to win an entertaining final.

Added 24/10/22

McKeown & Johnston Take Irish Titles At Tullyroan

On an action packed night of championship race action at Tullyroan Oval, Bleary’s Drew McKeown was crowned 2.0 Hot Rods Irish Champion and young Larne star Charlie Johnston took the Irish Championship victory for Ninja Karts.

There were also a pair of Tullyroan Challenge Cups up for decision, with Glenavy’s Jonny Cardwell taking the Stock Rods title and Donemana driver Christopher Baird taking the Thunder Rods version. A heat and final double for teenager Graham Meek in the Superstox completed the programme.

Lined up on season long points order, Scott Cochrane and World Champion Jordan Rochford shared the front row for the 2.0 Hot Rods Irish Championship. After an unsatisfactory start was called first time around, things were much cleaner at the second time of asking. Cochrane led them off, but recent form man McKeown sniffed the slightest of gaps up the inside on the Annaghmore Bend and he hit the front. From there Drew extended his advantage, controlling the race from the front and speeding home to add the Irish title to the European crown he landed last month. Conor Hughes made good progress to take second ahead of Cochrane, Rochford and Allen Cherry.
The Irish Revenge race saw a clear win for Gary Fowler ahead of Jordan McCann and Adam Heatrick.

Riley Dawson-Stirling and Coalan Fegan shared the front row for what would become a classic race for the Ninja Karts Irish Championship. Jack Morrison got the initial jump from row two to take the lead, which he held until past the halfway mark. A whole bunch of drivers were right in contention in a fantastic dice, with Noah Teggart coming to challenge for the lead. He and Morrison clashed into turn one, and in an amazing move Charlie Johnston swooped right around them both to hit the front. Teggart came back hard to get alongside Charlie on the run to the flag, but the young Larne star held on to land the Irish Championship title after a super drive. Following post race technical checks, the results from second place down remain under appeal.
The Irish Revenge race saw a first ever victory for Jack Murphy after a great drive to hold off the advances of Keegan Turtle.
Another very healthy field of Stock Rods were present to contest the Tullyroan Challenge Cup. NI Points Champion Dan Shannon wasted little time in stamping his authority all over the opening heat, taking the win over Jonny Cardwell and impressive teenager Declan McGrath. Heat two saw a McNiece benefit, with Stevie taking the win over his brother Colin and then Cardwell in third.
The stand out performer from the heats was Cardwell, and he duly took pole position for the final on aggregate points. Jonny continually edged clear out front, controlling things all the way home to the chequered flag. Colin and Stevie McNiece completed the podium places ahead of recent returnee Adam Sloan and Samuel Wilson.

The Superstox saw a first home appearance at Tullyroan Oval for Aughnacloy’s Kyle Beattie sporting the gold roof of World Champion. Troy Crawford set the pace in the first heat, before Graham Meek slipped past to take the win over Curtis Greer and Craig McConnell. Heat two followed a similar path, with Crawford and Meek out front before this time Greer came through with just one lap to go to take the lead and the win over McConnell and Meek.
Meek again worked his way ahead in the final, but in the latter stages he had a whole host of star drivers chasing hard, headed by Irish Champion Jordan Robinson, Beattie, Jamie McCann and McConnell. Former Junior Productions Irish Champion Meek is made of stern stuff though, and he staved off all their advances to take the win and complete his double for the evening. McCann took second after a late race mix up amongst the placemen, with Beattie, McConnell and Robinson next home.

The opening Thunder Rods heat fell to Ballycastle driver Andrew McLean ahead of David Wilson and Jason Darragh, before the reversed grid second race went the way of Donemana’s Christopher Baird from James Goldie and Ryan Nixon.
Baird and Goldie shared the front row for the Tullyroan Challenge Cup Final, which turned out to be a tremendous scrap. Baird, Goldie, Daniel Rodgers, Wilson and McLean never had much between them in a five car lead battle. Baird held his nerve and the lead all the way home, taking a fine win ahead of Goldie and Rodgers after another great outing for the formula at Tullyroan.

Added 10/10/22

Ninja Karts Champion of Champions

Bookings are now open for the Ninja Karts Champion of Champions event at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday October 29th.

There has been quite a bit of interest in the event already from across the UK. This year the title will be run over 2 reverse grid heats and a final.

At the start of the meeting we will also once again stage the Individual Achievement Award race, for DMC registered Ninja Kart drivers who have not won a race in 2022.

Numbers will be limited to 32 karts - to book in please go through your local promoter and/or contact DMC directly through the usual channels.

Added 03/10/22

Maxwell Delivers in Richard Turtle Memorial At Aghadowey

Former National Hot Rods World Champion Adam Maxwell was on top form at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday night, the Crumlin man taking a decisive final win to land the Richard Turtle Memorial Cup. The Ulster Championship for 1300 Stock Cars was successfully defended by Gawley’s Gate driver Chris Hamill after a dominant display, whilst other feature race wins fell to Cullybackey’s Rick Purdy (Thunder Rods), Co Meath’s Declan O’Connor (Stock Rods) and Rathfriland’s Jack Morrow (Junior Productions).

The National Hot Rods were contesting Round 4 of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI and the Richard Turtle Memorial Cup, raced annually in memory of the former Cullybackey racer. Richard Stewart took a clear win on the road in heat one, but was unfortunately disqualified after clashing with a backmarker mid race. That handed victory to Podge McQuaid over Derek McMillan and Adam Maxwell. Heat two saw a maiden victory in the elite formula for Garvagh’s Johnny McCloy, as he led home a huge places scrap which fell the way of Maxwell ahead of Ben McKee.
The final saw an early caution period for a big crash which eliminated Gareth Bevan and McQuaid after what looked like an engine failure in the Bevan machine. Thomas Dilly then took over out front, and for some distance he fended off huge attacks from Maxwell and Glenn Bell. It was a tremendous race which kept the crowd on their toes throughout, with Maxwell getting in front to land a great win after not being outside the top three places all evening. McKee impressed as he grabbed second, with Bell having to make do with third despite his huge efforts on the outside line.

The Ulster Championship was on offer for the 1300 Stock Cars, with the first of the reversed grid heats falling to Chris Hamill ahead of Jonathan Brown. Heat two was another action packed encounter which saw the sparks fly around the circuit, with James Crossett taking a great win over Hamill and Ivan Elliott.
Hamill and Crossett shared the front row for the Ulster Championship final, with Chris managing to escape the heavy bumper exchanges early on to make good his escape. From there he cruised to a successful defence of his title ahead of Josh McKinstry and Brown.
Tom Archibald held sway out front in the opening Thunder Rods heat, before David Wilson eased past to take the win with Daniel Rodgers in third. Heat two saw recent returnee Chrissy Dempsey grabbing victory, with Archibald and Rodgers again second and third.
The final turned out to be the race of the night, as Rick Purdy hit the front with Adam Graham right on his tail. The two circulated side by side for many laps in a tremendous dice, with Graham’s great efforts coming to nothing after he clipped the wall late on. As Cullybackey’s Purdy took a hard earned victory in some style, Andrew McLean and Dempsey completed the podium. Graham limped home in fourth after his late race dramas.

A fine field of 20 Stock Rods impressed all evening, with some close competitive action. Ballymena’s Steven McKane celebrated his recent return to the tracks with a great win in heat one over multi-champions Mark Crawford and Dan Shannon. Heat two saw teenager Declan O’Connor take the win after a steady drive out front, leading home McKane and Johnny Gillespie.
The final was once again all about O’Connor, as the latest graduate from the Junior Productions formula showed the seniors how to do it with a clear win. McKane just couldn’t get on terms with the flying 16-year-old and had to settle for second ahead of Gillespie.

Tight, competitive racing was again the name of the game in the Junior Productions, with Lexie Crooks continuing her great recent form to take the opening heat win over Jack Morrow and Jake Devlin. British Champion Morrow then took the win in the second heat after eventual runner up Andrew Hawe saw his big lead wiped out by a late caution.
The final once again saw Hawe out front and setting the pace, but a late race shake up once again opened the door for the experienced Morrow to come through for the silverware ahead of Leyton Hughes and Aaron Dynes.

Added 02/10/2022

Boyd Wins Rookies Irish as McKeown and Jackson Excel

A fantastic Sunday afternoon’s race action at Tullyroan Oval saw Garvagh’s Stephen Boyd win an exciting Rookie Bangers Irish Championship. There was some top quality racing on show throughout the meeting, with recently crowned European Champion Drew McKeown from Bleary hitting the outside line to win the Grand Final of the Hoosier Tyres Challenge Series for 2.0 Hot Rods.
Local favourite Nigel Jackson was another who pulled off a superb final victory, this time in the Lightning Rods, whilst other feature race winners were Portadown duo Daniel Stewart in the Junior Productions Tullyroan Challenge Cup and Rab Preston in the Thunder Rods.

A full grid well in excess of 30 cars lined up in season points order for the Rookie Bangers Irish Championship. There was a great race out front amongst the top drivers, with polesitter William McFaul and John Goligher both enjoying spells in the lead. There were incidents galore around the circuit for the drivers to avoid, but Stephen Boyd managed to surge ahead in the midway point of the race to land the title after a great drive. McFaul took second ahead of Marc Morrell.
The first support heat saw Gavin Gamble lead most of the way before McFaul nipped past on the final bend to win. Heat two saw another action packed encounter, with Josh Goligher taking the win in this one.

The opening 2.0 Hot Rods heat fell to David Kernohan who took a fine win ahead of a huge places scrap which eventually saw Allen Cherry take second over Colin McFarland. Heat two had Ronan McNally ahead, only for him to be challenged by Ally Neill late on. Neill made a spirited charge on the outside line, with McNally holding on by a hairs breadth at the flag.
The Grand Final of the Hoosier Tyres Challenge Series was lined up in aggregate series order, which saw Scott Cochrane and Mervyn Emerson sharing the front row. Cochrane quickly settled into the lead ahead of Drew McKeown, and after a fantastic first half of the race McKeown was able to haul himself right around the outside to grab the lead. It was a remarkable drive from a teenager who is right on top of his game at present. As Drew took the win, Cochrane and Emerson completed the top three, and they all received new race tyres courtesy of the sponsors Hoosier UK.
Both Lightning Rods heats fell to the BMW of Dean Catherwood, as he led home Nigel Jackson in the opener with World Champ Ricky Shaw second in heat two.
Those wins elevated Catherwood to the star grade for the final, but he was still to be a major player in a superb race. Aaron Brunton led initially before Martin O’Flaherty took over, with Catherwood chasing hard in second ahead of Stuart Agnew and Jackson. With the top four running nose to tail, Jackson wasted little time in hitting the outside line. In a fantastic drive he surged right around the top three to hit the front and take the silverware in emphatic style. Catherwood and Agnew filled the podium spots at the end of a great race.

Daniel Stewart took a clear win in the opening Junior Productions heat ahead of Jack Morrow, before Lauren Berry took a popular heat two win over Aaron Dynes.
The final for the Tullyroan Challenge Cup was all about Stewart and Morrow for much of the distance, with Daniel ahead but Jack trying everything he had to get past on both the inside and outside lines. It was a great race for the fans to enjoy, with Stewart just hanging on to win. Matthew Weir nabbed second near the end as the lead pack tripped over some backmarkers, with Morrow having to make do with third having driven a great race.

Jason Darragh was the winner of the first Thunder Rods heat ahead of Adam Graham, before Rick Purdy took heat two ahead of Rab Preston. That was perhaps a sign of things to come for Preston, and he then ran down long time final leader Tom Archibald to take the honours in the feature race. Graham took another second place finish ahead of Archibald and Purdy at the flag.

Added 26/09/22

Beattie On Top Of The World - Big Wins Too for Murray and McKeown

Kyle Beattie from Aughnacloy was victorious in the 61st running of the Superstox Championship of the World at Aghadowey Oval last weekend. With a number of major title races up for decision over the two days of racing, Galgorm’s Shane Murray was crowned National Hot Rods British Champion and Bleary’s Drew McKeown won the 2.0 Hot Rods European Championship

A full field of 34 Superstox came to grid for the Mk2 Escort Shells & Spares World Championship race, one of the oldest and most prestigious in the sport of oval racing. England’s Michael Green was on pole position alongside local star Craig McConnell. As expected the opening laps were hectic, with an early caution for turn one drama quickly followed by another, again for an incident on the Brown Trout Bend.
Green and McConnell both had got their noses in front early on, but it was now Kyle Beattie who hit the top spot. Despite McConnell’s best efforts to get back on terms as the race progressed, it was Beattie who took the chequered flag to tremendous applause all around the stadium. McConnell was a gallant runner up with Curtis Greer coming through for third place, ahead of defending champion Nick Roots and fellow Englishman Green.

Both the Allcomers Heat and Meeting Final on Saturday fell the way of Berkshire’s Chris Bradbury amidst some tremendous racing.
Sunday’s action centred on the Irish Open Championship, and after Green and Ed Davis shared the heats it was Green who came through to win the title for the third time in a row. Beattie and McConnell filled the podium places.

There were three heats to sort out qualification for the big entry in the Cherry Pipes National Hot Rods British Championship, with Scotland’s Gordon Alexander taking the opener before an ankle injury unfortunately sidelined him for the weekend. Portadown’s Gary Woolsey then won heat two with Kells driver Carl Sloan victorious in the third qualifier.
Aggregate points saw Galgorm’s Shane Murray on pole position for the British Championship final following a brace of third place finishes, with England’s Perry Cooke alongside. Murray powered clear at the start and was never challenged as he took a dominant win to land the British title. Adam Maxwell came through for second ahead of David Casey.

Sunday saw the coveted Leslie Dallas Memorial Trophy up for grabs, with a fantastic opening heat keeping the crowd entertained as Waterford’s Casey took the win. The second heat fell the way of Glenn Bell, with Murray again the man on pole position for the final after consistent finishes in both heats races.
Despite the best efforts of placemen Bell and John Christie, Murray was once again unstoppable as he cruised to the beautiful trophy and the handsome prize fund that went with it.
The Cherry Pipes 2.0 Hot Rods European Championship was another event to attract a huge field, with the keenly contested heat wins falling to Portadown’s Adam Heatrick, Scottish star Keith Brown and Bleary’s Drew McKeown.
A shower of rain just before the off in Sunday’s European Championship race just added to the drama, with McKeown the first to show ahead of Conor Hughes. Hughes finally found a way past with a great outside line pass, and he stretched ahead out front. Late in the race McKeown came back with a late surge, getting back on terms and finding a way down the inside of Hughes for the lead. Conor came back and bundled his way past again to take the flag, but after a Stewards Enquiry he was demoted two places for the late contact on McKeown. That gave Drew his first major championship win and at just nineteen years old the youngest ever European Champion, with World Champion Jordan Rochford in second ahead of the demoted Hughes.

The Ninja Karts impressed all weekend with almost 30 young stars in action from right across the UK. Jack Jones won both heats on Saturday in some style, but it was Belfast’s Caolan Fegan who took the DMC Gold Cup Final after on the road winner Mason Carberry was demoted for jumping a restart. Stuart Shevill took the runner up spot ahead of the relegated Carberry.
Sunday saw the prestigious Keir Millar Memorial Trophy up for grabs, with the heat wins falling to the English duo of Carberry and Clark Ferris. The final turned out to be an absolutely fantastic encounter, with Scottish star Shevill taking the win by the narrowest of margins ahead of Ferris and National & English Champion Charlie Weston.

The Junior Productions completed the line up, with the heats shared between Lexi Crooks and Brandon Litter. But it was Dungannon’s Jake Devlin who powered through to land the final honours for his first ever victory in the sport, and no better time to do it than in front of the huge Speedweekend crowd!

Added 20/09/22

Queen Elizabeth II

As a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the meeting at Tullyroan Oval scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday 10th September) has been postponed.
DMC Race Promotions offer our sincere condolences to King Charles III and the Royal Family at this very sad time.

Added 9/9/22

Woolsey Takes National Hot Rod Double

Scotch Street driver Gary Woolsey was the man to beat at Tullyroan Oval on Sunday afternoon, as he took a polished heat and final double in the National Hot Rods. In glorious sunshine and in front of a large crowd, Loughgall’s Jamie McCann won the Moffett Shield for Superstox whilst Ballykelly’s Matthew Nichol won the Tullyroan Challenge Cup for 2L National Bangers.
Other feature races fell to Chris Hamill in the 1300 Stock Cars and Martin O’Flaherty in the Lightning Rods.

A fine entry of National Hot Rods took to the grid for the third round of the 2022/23 Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI. Having been out of action for a time, Gary Woolsey has been easing himself back into the groove over the past few meetings. The experienced former British Champion easily took the opening heat over Dean McCrory, before taking second in heat two as he chased Portadown’s Andrew Stewart over the line.
Woolsey wasted little time getting ahead in the final, with McCrory giving chase. Shane Murray was making rapid progress from the back of the field, and entering the final laps it was a three way dice for the lead. Woolsey used all his experience to complete his double for the day despite Murray’s best attempts on the outside. McCrory snatched back second on the line, with Murray, John Christie and Jeff Riordan next up.

The 2L National Bangers put on a ‘smashing’ display as always, with all sorts of action right around the track. Ballykelly teenager Matthew Nichol powered through to win the Tullyroan Challenge Cup ahead of Stevo McGrath and Mike Flaherty, before Matthew came through again to win the Allcomers race too. An eventful Destruction Derby fell to Stevo McGrath, with Nicholl earning Entertainer of the Day and Jake Macnicol the Best Wreck Award.
Some of the best racing of the day was from another big field of Superstox, with a career first win for Gerard Hartley kicking off the day in heat one. He led home Jamie McCann and Curtis Greer. Heat two was a fantastic race, with Hartley again the pacesetter until the star men moved ahead. A four way dice between Ed Davis, Greer, McCann and Craig McConnell over the last couple of laps was only decided on the last bend as McCann took a super win over McConnell.
The annual Moffett Shield final saw Ross O’Shea leading for some distance before losing out to Davis. A couple of late race cautions only added to the drama, with McCann again pouncing on the last lap to grab the coveted shield ahead of Davis and Jordan Robinson. Neil Hyndman was fourth over the line and he also took the best white/yellow grade award.

Scotland’s Craig Haxton joined the locals in the 1300 Stock Cars, with the big bumpers put to good use as always. A quiet by the usual standards opening heat fell to Gareth Halliday over Chris Hamill, before Robbie Wright went in hard with the bumper on the final bend to take the heat two spoils ahead of Fionn Donnelly and Jonny Patterson.
The final saw Donnelly ahead, with Irish Champion Hamill and Ty Richardson coming into the mix over the last few laps. Hamill went ahead, only for the other pair to come back at him in style, but Chris isn’t an Irish Champion for nothing and he duly brushed aside their challenge to take a fine win. Richardson, Donnelly and Patterson filled the places.

There was a BMW one-two in the opening Lightning Rods heat as Dean Catherwood headed home Nigel Jackson, before World and National Champion Ricky Shaw showed his class to win the second heat over Catherwood and Gerry Rogers.
The final saw Catherwood stretching clear out front before he sadly went out with mechanical issues, which handed the lead to Martin O’Flaherty. He held off the advances of the pack over the last few laps to take a deserved win over Jackson and Shaw.

Added 28/08/22

Success For Stevie In Cooke Memorial

An action packed night of racing at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday saw the fans treated to some spectacular action. The William Cooke Memorial Trophy for Stock Rods was the main event on the programme, and it fell to Enniskillen’s Stevie McNiece after a dominant display. Portadown’s Adam Heatrick took victory in the second round of the Hoosier Tyres Challenge Series for 2.0 Hot Rods, whilst Crumlin’s Riley Dawson-Stirling took a faultless hat-trick of wins on his way to the Ninja Karts Golden Helmet.
There was a double victory for Limavady’s Simon McLaughlin in the Thunder Rods, whilst British Champion Jack Morrow from Rathfriland capped a fine night with victory in the Junior Productions.

The opening Stock Rods qualifier saw a win for Mark Foster, with former World Champion Stevie McNiece in second ahead of welcome returnee Steven McKane. Heat two saw a big engine blow up for new World Champ Colin McNiece whilst he was ahead, and the ensuing oil slick also took out multi-champion Mark Crawford too. Once the track was cleaned up, Dan Shannon held on to take the win over Samuel Wilson and Victor McAfee.
Having qualified on pole position, Stevie McNiece never put a foot wrong in the William Cooke Memorial Trophy final, leading from flag to flag for a convincing win. Shannon and Jonny Cardwell filled the podium places ahead of Sam McNeice and Foster.

A fine field of nineteen 2.0 Hot Rods were on hand to contest the second round of their Hoosier Challenge Series, with Ally Neill holding off the advances of Colin McFarland and Adam Weir to land the opening heat win. Heat two saw Ronan McNally take the chequered flag, with David Kernohan and Jordan McCann chasing him home.
The final was the race of the night, with McFarland rolling back the years to lead early on. He ran wide and then clashed with McNally which saw Colin’s hopes disappear, before McNally then hooked up with McCann to destroy their chances in a flash. Adam Heatrick grabbed the opportunity with both hands to go ahead, and he duly took the win, the silverware and a new race tyre courtesy of Hoosier UK. Gary Butler came through for second after a fine drive, with Scott Cochrane and Denver Grattan next up.
English visitor Jenson Fish joined the regulars in the Ninja Karts, with Riley Dawson-Stirling taking the opening heat win after the leaders all tripped over each other late on. Noah Teggart and Caolan Fegan chased him home. Sean Conway’s best showing so far looked set to see him take the second heat win, but he got badly baulked by a recovering backmarker on the very last bend, which allowed Dawson-Stirling through to take another win over Keegan Turtle and Fish.
Jack Morrison went ahead early in the final, but Dawson-Stirling again managed to make his way ahead to complete a perfect hat-trick for the evening by lifting the Golden Helmet trophy. Morrison was great value in second after an excellent meeting for him, with Fegan, Teggart and Charlie Johnston the next drivers home.

Simon McLaughlin took the win in the opening Thunder Rods heat after relegating early leader Tom Archibald. Jason Darragh and David Wilson took second and third after a few penalties were handed out. Heat two saw a first ever career win for Archibald, as he led from start to finish to win ahead of McLaughlin and Rick Purdy. This race was marred by a huge back straight crash which eliminated a number of cars.
Some sterling pit work saw some very badly damaged cars from the big crash back in action for the final, which was a credit to all the teams. McLaughlin again worked his way ahead in this one, and despite huge late pressure from Darragh and Purdy he managed to hold on to complete an impressive double.

Another excellent field of Junior Productions saw novice grader Brandon Litter take his first ever win in the opening heat ahead of British Champion Jack Morrow and Jake Devlin. Brandon did it all again in heat two, taking his second career victory ahead of Lexi Crooks and Dylan Fegan.
An early skirmish in the final took out a few fancied runners, and soon Crooks had got her nose ahead in her pretty Vauxhall Corsa. Stewart Hanna was tracking her every move until the two clashed and went out, handing the lead to Morrow who raced home to take the win in some style ahead of Matthew Weir, Daniel Stewart and Leyton Hughes.

Added 21/08/22

September Speedweekend - Fixture Amendment

Due to a lack of bookings, the Classic Hot Rods have unfortunately been removed from the September Speedweekend at Aghadowey Oval. This decision was not taken lightly, and we would like to apologise for any inconvenience it may cause.

We are looking to the future with their replacement, and after the success of the recent World Final weekend the Ninja Karts will now feature on both days of the weekend at Aghadowey. The Keir Millar Memorial Trophy was originally scheduled for Sunday, but they will now also race on Saturday for the DMC Gold Cup.

The Junior Productions have been added to the Sunday programme too, and will now not feature at the previous week's fixture at Tullyroan Oval.

The feature event of the weekend on September 17th/18th will be the 61st running of the Superstox Championship of the World, with the National Hot Rods British Championship and 2.0 Hot Rods European Championship also on the programme.

Added 11/08/22

Banwell Leaves It Late To Grab National Championship Success

England’s Jake Banwell was the big winner on a sensational night of international Stock Car Racing at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday. The Norfolk driver pulled off a perfect last bend move to win the 1300 Stock Cars National Championship, whilst Antrim’s Ryan McCrory took victory in the coveted Lee Cherry Memorial Trophy for 2.0 Hot Rods. Other feature race winners were Portadown teenager James Stewart in the Superstox, Bleary’s Mark Corry in the Lightning Rods and Crumlin’s Riley Dawson-Stirling in the Ninja Karts.

A star studded field of 1300 Stock Cars arrived to do battle for their 2022 National Championship, with visitors from England and Scotland lining up alongside the best of the local drivers. Amidst some fantastic action, the opening heat saw a win for recent form man Josh McKinstry, as he headed home Scottish duo Darren Suddaby and Ally Strachan. Heat two saw Suddaby ahead until a late race caution period, with Norfolk’s Jake Banwell pouncing on the one lap dash to the line to take the win.
A sensational start to the National Championship final saw huge drama on the opening laps which caused an early caution. Once they got going again Banwell and fellow English driver Jacob Roff pulled clear out front. Banwell led most of the distance until Roff moved ahead entering the final stages, but Banwell was watching his prey and pounced as they entered the last bend. He sent Roff out wide to the wall with his bumper and moved through on the inside to snatch the win by the narrowest of margins. Chris Hamill came through for third ahead of Strachan and Fraser Clark at the end of an outstanding race.

With the stunning Lee Cherry Memorial Trophy up for grabs, the racing in the 2.0 Hot Rods was always going to be fiercely competitive. Scott Cochrane won the opening heat head of Conor Hughes and defending champion Allen Cherry. Heat two saw the returning Gary Butler take a clear win over Adam Heatrick and Mervyn Emerson.
The final saw Hughes holding the early lead from pole position, with Ryan McCrory tracking his every move. Ryan was looking every inch the faster man, and he finally found a gap down the inside to power through to the lead on the Tullyroan Bend. He quickly surged clear and took a tremendous win to land what is arguably the finest piece of silverware on the local racing scene. Butler came through for second ahead of the new World Champion Jordan Rochford, who earlier in the evening had been given a rousing welcome home as he displayed the gold roof for the first time.
Another packed grid of Superstox provided some excellent racing, with rising star James Stewart taking the opening heat win ahead of Craig McConnell. Novice Andrew Murphy showed great pace to take the second heat win ahead of Graham Meek and Stewart.
The final saw Murphy lead early on, but he had no answer to the pace of Stewart who surged ahead to take his second win of the night in some style. David Beattie, McConnell and David McMenemy chased him home.

Amongst the other formulas on show, Mark Corry took a heat and final double in the Lightning Rods, with Dean Catherwood taking the other heat to see the new BMW models take all three wins on the night.

In the Ninja Karts for 6-11 year olds, Noah Teggart and Riley Dawson-Stirling won the heats, before a raft of penalties for jumping a restart caused controversy in the final. On the road winner Keegan Turtle was one of those to be demoted in the official result, which handed a second win of the meeting to Dawson-Stirling ahead of Charlie Johnston and Turtle.

A couple of demonstration races from the Classic Hot Rods completed the line up, with both falling to Anthony Morgan. The first one was especially close after a late battle between Morgan and Mark Monaghan.

Added 07/08/22

Comeback King Bell Makes It Two In A Row

Portadown National Hot Rod star Glenn Bell continued his great recent form with victory in the feature race at Round 2 of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday night. The other big event was the King of Aghadowey for the Unlimited National Bangers which saw Templepatrick’s Gordy McKee steal through for victory.
The Young Trophy for the Junior Productions fell to Randalstown’s Sam Percy, whilst Nutts Corner’s Josh McKinstry reeled off a faultless hat-trick of wins in the 1300 Stock Cars. The other feature race win fell to Limavady’s Josh Goligher in the Thunder Rods.

Donegal driver Terence McConalogue was the star of the National Hot Rods heats, taking both wins and showing some great pace. Kells driver Carl Sloan chased him home in heat one, with Kenny McCann runner up in heat two after Sloan was docked a couple of spots for contact.
Unsurprisingly McConalogue set the pace in the feature race of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI, with Sloan breaking clear from the pack to go second. Carl launched his attack for the lead as Bell brought himself into contention too. One slip from the lead duo was all it took, as McConalogue slithered wide taking Sloan with him, and Bell was through in a shot. Glenn cruised home to take his second win in as many weeks, with Sloan in second after a very productive evening. John Christie, Derek Martin and Shane Murray completed the top five.

The King of Aghadowey final for the Unlimited National Bangers saw a red flag early on as a huge shot from Deano McGrath saw him destroy the hearse of Tony Gillespie but end up on his roof! He emerged unscathed, with Stevo McGrath taking up the running. He lost out to a fast charging Gordy McKee, the former Lightning Rods World Champ taking his first big win in the Bangers. England’s Liam Lake and Stevo McGrath completed the top three.
Lake then won the opening Allcomers event ahead of Stevo McGrath before McKee took another win in Allcomers 2. The Destruction Derby saw Kieran McIvor’s classic Jaguar smashed from pillar to post, as was Rodney Herron’s Volvo, but it was Lake who came through for the victory. He also claimed the Entertainer of the Day award as he set about destroying everything in the DD!
The teenage stars in the Junior Productions were contesting The Young Trophy, presented annually by the Young and Hosie families. Ryan Berry, one of the youngest drivers in the formula, drove a fantastic race to win heat one before his sister Lauren made it a family double by claiming victory in heat two.
A crash early in the final eliminated a few of the front runners, but there were no such problems for Sam Percy. In his last ever outing in the formula as he approaches his sixteenth birthday, Sam drove a fantastic race to pull clear out front to take a commanding victory over an impressive Stewart Hanna and the ever-improving Callum Doak. There were also awards for the best novice grade driver which went to Brandon Litter, the best yellow grade driver which fell to Lauren Berry and also a Merit Award which went to Scottish driver Koddi Wright for his long journey to take part which saw him ultimately finish in seventh place.

Numbers were down slightly in the 1300 Stock Cars, but that didn’t detract from the action on track with the bumpers put to good use all evening. Josh McKinstry was the star of the show, taking a hat-trick of wins in both heats and the final.
Ivan Elliott claimed second in heat one before Chris Hamill was the runner up in heat two. Both those superstars gave chase to McKinstry with all they could in the final, but Josh held on for the win even after a promotion to blue grade for the feature race. Hamill and Elliott completed the podium.

Another huge field of Thunder Rods produced exciting racing from green flag to chequered flag, with Jason Darragh taking a great win in heat one over Sam Watt and Chris Baird. Watt went one better in heat two as he claimed the win over Adam McKinney.
Andrew McLean and Josh Goligher fought a tough battle for the lead in the final which had everyone on the edge of their seats, especially in the closing laps when the whole packed joined onto their tail to make it a huge race to the line. A lengthy Stewards Enquiry was required after the flag, with Goligher taking the win ahead of Darragh and Baird.

Added 31/07/22