McNiece and Hughes On Top Of The World!

Two World Champions were crowned during a 3 day festival of short oval motorsport at Tullyroan Oval over the weekend. Banbridge driver Colin McNiece secured the biggest victory of his career when he was crowned Stock Rods World Champion, whilst 10-year-old Antrim racer Leyton Hughes was successful in the defence of his Ninja Karts World title.

The other major event was the Lightning Rods British Championship, which fell the way of Magheralin’s Stuart Agnew.

The Stock Rods World title qualifying heats were shared between Niall McFerran, defending champion Siobhan Martin and Sam Neice. Once the points were calculated it was Banbridge racer Colin McNiece who had grabbed pole position courtesy of a sixth and a fourth from his two outings.

A frantic start to the Auto Collision Belfast sponsored World Championship race saw Colin McNiece take the lead, with Martin and England’s John Smith tucked in behind. Martin then made her move for the top spot, circulating side by side with the leader for lap after lap but just unable to make a move stick. McNeice has everything under control though, never putting a foot wrong as he came home to take the World title in commanding style! Smith came through for second in the end, with Martin having to settle for third after a spirited defence of her title.

The Ninja Karts also had three LJN Motorsport-sponsored World Championship qualifying heats, with defending champion Leyton Hughes driving superbly to win both the opening qualifiers. Later in the evening Scotland’s Dougie Kidd came through for the win in the third and final heat.

After a great build up for the young stars, a tremendous World Final race followed, with a number of drivers challenging for the lead throughout the 15 lap event. Time and again the lead changed, and following post-race technical checks it was Hughes who was crowned World Champion for the second year in a row. European Champion Murray Hall took second, with fellow English star Clark Ferris coming through for a fine third place.
Heading the support action was the opening round of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI for National Hot Rods, where Portadown’’s Glenn Bell took the final honours with a great outside line drive. Earlier Shane Murray and Adam Maxwell had shared the heat wins.

The Ninja Karts also contested the Irish Open Championship which fell to England’s Charlie Weston after a great drive, with Cullybackey’s Keegan Turtle impressing in second ahead of Scotland’s Katie-Lee Smart in third.
Another Irish Open Championship, this time for the Lightning Rods, went the way of Strabane’s James McKinney with Nigel Jackson and Mark Corry the placemen.

Siobhan Martin looked odds on to win the Stock Rods Irish Masters only for mechanical woes to rob her mid race when well clear. Marc Morrell then suffered the same fate, which opened the door for Dan Shannon to take the win over Joe Largey and Gary Dean.

Former Bangers World Champion Steven Bolton from Ballymoney joined the 1300 Stock Cars on Saturday and duly won the Irish Masters title with a well executed last bend lunge on Davy Wright which had the crowd on their feet cheering at the tremendous action.

Bangor’s Craig McConnell was a deserving winner of the Superstox Tullyroan Challenge Cup ahead of Kyle Beattie and Jamie McCann, after James Stewart and McCann had shared the heat wins. Lastly, young Belfast star Dylan Fegan was the one to watch in the Junior Productions as he claimed a heat and final double.

Added 25/07/22

Fixture Amendment - Last Weekend in August

Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have had to make a slight change to one of our fixtures at the end of August.

The meeting was originally scheduled for Saturday August 27th but will now take place on Sunday August 28th (2pm start).

The fixture includes:
National Hot Rods 2023 Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI Round 3
2L National Bangers 2022 Tullyroan Challenge Cup
Superstox Moffett Shield 2022
Lightning Rods
1300 Stock Cars

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Added 18/07/22

Boyd's Ulster Title & Goldie Remains King

An enjoyable midsummer’s evening of stock car racing at Aghadowey Oval On Saturday saw Garvagh’s Stephen Boyd victorious in the major event, the Rookie Bangers Ulster Championship. Ballymena’s James Goldie was crowned King of Aghadowey in the Thunder Rods for an astonishing fourth time in succession, whilst sixteen year old Glenavy lad Callum Magill celebrated his graduation to the senior ranks with a heat and final double in the competitive Stock Rods.
Other feature race winners were Loughgall’s Jamie McCann in the Superstox and Dungannon’s Ally Neill in the 2.0 Hot Rods.

A fine entry of Rookie Bangers thrilled the fans with some spectacular racing all evening. The opener was an all action affair, with John Goligher leading home his son Josh ahead of Matthew Nicholl in third. Heat two saw local points champ William McFaul come through for the win over Stephen Boyd.
The top finishers in the heats started from the front of the final, with McFaul making good his escape from the squabbling pack early on. A race stoppage in the latter stages saw him unfortunately eliminated from the race with damage, and that opened the door for Boyd to power through to take the Ulster Championship title. Josh Goligher led his father John home for second and third to complete the podium.

The Thunder Rods fielded an excellent 25 cars with the reverse grid system in operation for the heats. Cullybackey driver David Wilson found a way past early leader Darryl McAleese to take the win in heat one, with Adam Graham taking second. Heat two saw James Goldie get a tremendous start to hit the front and lead the rest home ahead of Ryan Nixon and Jordan Nicholl.
Goldie had claimed pole position for the all important King of Aghadowey final on aggregate points from the heats, and he wasted no time edging clear out front. There was a monster battle for second between Wilson, Daniel Rodgers and Chris Baird which you just couldn’t take your eyes off, and which ended with Wilson claiming the runner up slot ahead of Baird. There was no stopping Goldie though, as he sped home to claim the King of Aghadowey crown for the fourth time in a row in some style.
Just a week after his sixteenth birthday, Callum Magill celebrated his graduation from the Junior Productions to the Stock Rod ranks by winning his first ever race! He led home Thomas Morrison for the heat one win, with Jonny Gillespie in third. Gillespie then improved to take the second heat win over Victor McAfee and Magill.
In the feature race it was all about Magill once again, the young star powering clear early on into a big lead. Experienced campaigner McAfee was using all his skill to close the gap, but Callum held on to complete on very impressive heat and final double on his debut. McAfee, newly crowned European Champion Mark Crawford and Sam McNeice completed the top four.

Two more debutants in Andrew Murphy and Martin Crilly once again helped the Superstox over the twenty car barrier despite a number of absentees in the midst of the holiday period. Superstar Craig McConnell scythed through the field to take the heat one win after relegating long time leader Neil Hyndman with just two laps to go. Steven Haugh and Jamie McCann filled out the top three. Heat two was all about returnee Cyril Hawe, as he took a great win over David McMenemy and McCann.
McCann looked very sharp right from the off in the final, moving through the field at great speed to hit the front with four laps to go. He went on to claim a fine win over McConnell and Alan Haugh.

The 2.0 Hot Rods produced some close, competitive racing all meeting, with Broughshane’s David Kernohan taking the opening heat over Allen Cherry, before Kris Fitzpatrick just held off Cherry to take the chequered flag in heat two.
The final saw a superb places battle for much of the distance between Colin McFarland, Cherry, Jordan Rochford and Drew McKeown, All the while though leader Ally Neill was disappearing into the distance, and he completed a fine win ahead of McKeown and McFarland.

Added 10/07/22

Haugh Impresses To Land Superstox Silverware

Despite an evening blighted by heavy showers, there was some fantastic stock car racing served up at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday night. Birches driver Steven Haugh won the main race of the evening, the Neil Davison Memorial Cup for Superstox, after some tremendous action. There was a superb finish to the 1300 Stock Cars Tullyroan Challenge Cup as Matthew Milliken took the trophy, whilst other feature race wins fell to young Lexi Crooks in the Junior Productions, Mark Corry in the Lightning Rods and Phillip Farrell in the Micro Bangers.

An impressive 28 Superstox arrived to do battle for the coveted Neil Davison Memorial Cup, including World Champion Nick Roots from Surrey and Scottish star Dean Johnston. A slippery heat one on a greasy track saw Kyle Beattie the man to watch as he took an impressive victory over Irish Champion Jordan Robinson and Johnston. Heat two saw Ed Davis the man to beat, as he held off Steven Haugh and Jamie McCann despite a late yellow flag.
The final was lined up in aggregate points order, with Beattie and Davis sharing the front row. The bumpers went flying in right from the off, with Beattie the early leader before he was punted wide by Haugh. Steven was showing great pace to edge clear, and despite closing towards the end Beattie just couldn’t get close enough to mount a challenge. Haugh thus took a deserving win to take the Neil Davison Memorial Cup, with Beattie, Craig McConnell and Roots filling out the top four. Haugh and first white/yellow grade driver home David McMenemy also received new race tyres courtesy of the Davison family.

Josh McKinstry took a clear win in the opening heat for the 1300 Stock Cars, utilising his drop to the yellow grade to take the flag over Matthew Milliken. Marcus Crossett led heat two right until the final bend, when Jonathan Brown timed his assault to perfection to move Crossett wide and steal through for a great win.
The closed grid final saw McKinstry stretch clear before he hit problems, which handed the lead to Milliken. Matthew had Ivan Elliott right on his tail though, obviously waiting to make his challenge for the lead late on. Ivan went in hard with the bumper on the final bend, but Matthew was able to ride the wall and just hang on by a whisker at the flag in a sensational finish.
The Lightning Rods field was bolstered by four visitors from Tipperary Raceway, with Mark McCambridge taking the opening heat win ahead of World Champion Nigel Jackson. Mark Corry then led the second heat before he ran wide, opening the door for McCambridge to nip through and take his second win of the night over Stuart Agnew.
The final saw Corry quickly demote early leaders Kielian Toland and Dermot Tynan to establish quite a lead out front, but as the laps dwindled down he had Jackson and Agnew filling his mirrors. They closed rapidly towards the end, but Mark had all under control and brought his immaculate BMW home for a great final win, with Jackson and Agnew next home.

An excellent 19-car entry of Junior Productions included a debut for Alfie Litter. Lexi Crooks quickly got to grips with her new car, as she coped admirably with the tricky conditions to take the first heat win over Aaron Ward and Leyton Hughes. Heat two was another contested on a very greasy track, and this time it was young Dylan Fegan who drove a fantastic race to take a very impressive first ever win over Matthew Weir.
The final was once again all about Crooks, as she went ahead early on and was able to withstand some big pressure late on with a number of yellow flags bringing the star drivers closer to the front. Lexi showed great skill to hang on for her second win of the night, with Lauren Berry also doing it for the girls with a fine second spot. Callum Doak and Sam Percy inherited third and fourth after a number of penalties were applied amongst the leading pack.

The Micro Bangers produced some exciting racing all evening, with Phillip Farrell taking the ‘Micro Madness’ title in their opener over Mike Flaherty and Tony Gillespie, with the antics of Stevo McGrath and Dan Dooner entertaining the crowds.
McGrath then inherited the Allcomers win after Farrell was penalised for a jump start, and then it was Stevo again who won an entertaining Destruction Derby as he and Flaherty went at it hard. Dooner took both the Entertainer of the Day and Best Wreck Awards.

Added 27/06/22

Hughes and Beattie Kings of Aghadowey

Antrim’s Conor Hughes and Aughnacloy’s David Beattie were crowned King of Aghadowey in the 2.0 Hot Rods and Superstox respectively following an entertaining mid-summer’s meeting at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday night. Cullybackey driver Marc Morrell managed a heat and final double in the Stock Rods whilst Dungannon’s Ben Hawe was victorious in the Ninja Karts and Strabane’s Chris McNeill was a first time winner in the Thunder Rods.

The 2.0 Hot Rods blasted off the grid for their opening King of Aghadowey heat, and Michael Woods took victory over Jordan Rochford and Jordan McCann in a race which was pretty settled. Heat Two saw Ryan McCrory manage to hold off Conor Hughes and Drew McKeown for the win.
For the King of Aghadowey final, Hughes set a great pace early on in the race as Rochford tried to chase him down with McCrory following. Hughes managed to take the victory, even though Rochford had driven a great race to chase him down but he had to make do with second ahead of McCrory, Grattan, and Drew McKeown. After completing points calculations Jordan Rochford was declared 2.0 Hot Rods NI Points Champion for 2021/22.

Also contesting their King of Aghadowey title were the Superstox, and in heat one Neil Hyndman and Ross O’Shea had spells out front. Craig McConnell made his march from red grade to just miss out on a last lap lunge on Hyndman. Hyndman held a steady head throughout taking the win over McConnell and David McMenemy. Hyndman also led the majority of the race in heat two, before two yellow flag caution periods allowed Kyle Beattie time to slice through and take the chequered flag, with David Beattie and McConnell filling out the places.
The closed grid final was always going to produce fireworks, and that it certainly did. Right from the off McConnell and Kyle Beattie managed to break away from the rest of the pack with Lee Davison charging down fast, all eyes were on the lead scrap, as the laps kept ticking down, and it came down to a last lap showdown. David Beattie was playing a watching brief in fourth as Davison came in with a massive blow on Kyle Beattie and McConnell as their cars scattered around the pit bend, David Beattie carved his way through the carnage to romp home to a decisive and pleasing win, with Kyle Beattie and Jordan Robinson filling the places on the podium.
A huge field of 25 Thunder Rods took to the Aghadowey circuit for their opening heat, with Jason Darragh grabbing the win over Andrew McClean and David Reynolds on a very busy raceway. Heat Two was dramatic to say the least, as two caution periods were enforced as a result of Rick Purdy colliding with the wall on turn two and Gareth McCrory coming to a halt on the home straight. Christopher Baird took the honours in Heat Two ahead of David Wilson and Chris McNeill.
The final was another hard-fought race, which seen the red grade scrambling to make their way through the grid. McNeill managed to get ahead from the pack in front of Adam McKinney and Sam Watt. Josh Goligher was hoping to heap on pressure on the leading pack, although the extended laps still didn’t allow him time to mount a challenge. McNeill therefore took the silverware over McKinney, Watt and Goligher.

The first Stock Rods heat saw a huge battle for the lead at the early stages, as Colin McNiece managed to make the long way round the outside of Samuel Wilson to take off into the distance. McNiece landed the victory with Thomas Morrison and Stevie McNiece in behind.
Heat two saw a win for Marc Morrell, as he quickly made his way past Samuel Wilson, who managed to finish in second ahead of Dan Shannon after Shane McMillan failed to make an outside charge for second succeed.
The final, saw Morrell complete a heat and double final as he paced himself home ahead of Mark Overend and Morrison. After a year long points chase, Dan Shannon was declared Stock Rods NI Points Champion for 2021/22.

Ninja Karts heat one saw a frantic race among Ryan Abernethy Jnr, Riley Dawson-Stirling and Noah Teggart as they scrambled to collect points to see who the 2021/22 NI Points Champion would be. Teggart came out on top in heat one ahead of Caolan Fegan and Charlie Johnston. Heat two, saw a caution period for the stricken Rowdy Grattan, which allowed the red graders to make a strong charge on the lower grade drivers. The race went the way of Abernethy Jnr followed by Ben Hawe and Caolan Fegan.
The final had another caution period, as Johnston made contact with the Kayla Fegan kart early on resulting in debris on the track. As the race re-commenced Ben Hawe made a super charge for the lead and kept a cool head throughout to take victory, with Riley Dawson-Stirling and Alan Beattie picking up the podium places. After completing points calculations Ryan Abernethy Jnr had been declared Ninja Karts NI Points Champion for 2021/22.

Added 20/06/22

Christie At The Double But It's Martin's NI Title

The elite National Hot Rods formula completed their 2021/22 Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday night, with Crumlin’s John Christie taking a very impressive heat and final double. The overall winner of the year long points chase was Dungannon’s Derek Martin, who was crowned NI Champion for the second year in succession.
There were large entries in every formula on show, which led to some terrific racing for the big crowd enjoying a fine summer’s evening on the terraces. Banbridge’s Denver Grattan claimed an enthralling 2.0 Hot Rods final win, whilst north west drivers Ryan Nixon, Reece Pollock and Gavin Gamble won the Rookie Bangers Irish Teams Championship for their ‘Bad Company B’ outfit.
Hampshire visitor Jack Jones took the honours after a fine drive to take the Ninja Karts Tullyroan Challenge Cup, and another Banbridge driver, Colin McNiece, was equally as impressive on his way to the Stock Rods silverware.

A very impressive field of 23 cars arrived for the fourteenth and final round of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI for National Hot Rods, the grid bolstered by welcome visitors Jeff Riordan and Les Compelli from the Republic of Ireland series. Returnee to the fold Terence McConalogue from Donegal took the opening heat win after relegating Gareth Bevan, before former World Champion John Christie took a super heat two victory after chasing down pacesetters McConalogue and Derek McMillan.
The final was lined up in year-long series point’s order, with Christie getting the jump off the line to take the lead. John showed some electric pace to race home to a well deserved win, with Derek Martin coming home second to seal his NI Championship victory as World Series NI points winner.

Teenager Adam Weir impressed greatly in the 2.0 Hot Rods, taking both heats from the novice grade with a great turn of speed. He led home Ryan McCrory in the opener before David Kernohan chased him under the chequers in heat two.
The final was a tremendous race, even if it did lack a little discipline at times. Weir’s automatic upgrade to the yellows saw him harrying Kris Fitzpatrick for the lead right from the off, as the whole pack then began to close together with the gradings working to perfection. Gary Fowler tried and failed to get around the lead duo, before Denver Grattan made a great fist of it on the wide line. Fitzpatrick and Weir then nibbled at each other and swapped places, the contact almost causing a huge crash on the back straight. Once it all settled down Grattan had hit the front and he took a very deserving win over Scott Cochrane and Drew McKeown.
A twenty car Stock Rod entry included Michael Scanlon and Shane O’Connor from Tipperary, with a frantic and entertaining opening heat falling to recent form man Michael Rodgers after a Stewards Enquiry. Race Control were kept busy in heat two as well, as on the road winner Samuel Wilson copped a penalty which elevated Dan Shannon to victory lane over Sam McNeice.
Fergie Bevan showed his best form of late to lead the final for a distance, before Colin McNiece swooped past to take up the running. Whilst Mark Crawford and Jonny Cardwell squabbled behind him, Colin kept all under control to take an impressive win. Curtis Greer and Joe Largey filled the podium spots, after Crawford and Cardwell were docked for contact.

Ten visiting drivers from England and Scotland were amongst a Ninja Karts grid of twenty six young 6-11 year olds, many chasing track time ahead of their World Championship at the venue in July. With a new kart at his disposal, Dungannon’s Ryan Abernethy Jnr took the opening heat win ahead of England’s Jack Jones and another Dungannon youngster, Ben Hawe. Abernethy then repeated the feat with another win in heat two, a race which will long be remembered for a huge triple rollover for Rowdy Grattan. England’s Murray Hall was runner up in this one with Hawe in third once again.
The final was a super race, with Abernethy again out front until he got outfoxed in the traffic late on by Jones. Jack came through to take a fine Tullyroan Challenge Cup win ahead of Abernethy, Noah Teggart, Hall and Charlie Weston.

The Rookie Bangers delivered great action all night, with a grid of 34 cars thrilling the crowds in their Irish Teams Championship. ‘The Hooligans A’ drew first blood with a win for Phillip Farrell in the opening heat in a drama filled race, before Dan Dooner sped to the heat two win for ‘Team Juice’.
The double points final was every bit as frantic as the heats, even coming down to a one-lap dash to the flag after a late stoppage. Ryan Nixon got into the lead in the closing stages and it was that win that sealed the Irish Teams Championship for his ‘Bad Company B’ outfit which also included Reece Pollock and Gavin Gamble. Josh Goligher and William McFaul were second and third in the final, ahead of long time leader Matthew McKinstry.

Added 05/06/22

Bolton's Shamwreck as National Ministox & Junior Productions Impress

A fantastic weekend of championship stock car racing as served up over the weekend, firstly at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday and then Tullyroan Oval on Sunday afternoon.
The big winners of the weekend were Ballymoney’s Steven Bolton who finally got his hands on the Shamwreck title for Unlimited National Bangers at Tullyroan, whilst Rathfriland’s Jack Morrow claimed victory in the first ever Junior Productions British Championship.
The visiting National Ministox formula from England also starred, with championship wins for Caiden Morrison and Kasey Jones across the two days.

Saturday - Aghadowey Oval
The Junior Productions British Championship (sponsored by Cars Bought 24/7) saw heat wins for Ryan Berry, Callum Magill and Aaron Ward. Pole sitter after consistent heat finishes was Jack Morrow, and the talented racer held the field at bay to land the coveted first ever British title ahead of Ward and Sam Percy.

In the National Hot Rods, the penultimate round of the Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI saw Dean McCrory and Kenny McCann take two very popular heat wins, before Gilford’s Nigel McCauley held off a spirited challenge from John Christie to win the feature race final.

The National Ministox thrilled the crowds all evening with some terrific racing. England’s Boden Murfin took the opening heat before Tom Holcroft won a superb heat two. Heat three fell to Nutts Corner’s Abbie McKinstry, before everyone was treated to a stunning Irish Championship final. There were no less than 21 lead changes inside the 16 lap race, with Caiden Morrison taking the spoils in some style, with Lewis Smith and Thomas Rogers the placemen.

The Superstox as always entertained, with Cullybackey’s Curtis Greer a double heat winner before Aughnacloy’s David Beattie took the feature race. The Thunder Rods saw a busy track all evening, with Limavady’s Josh Goligher running out the final winner after Jason Darragh and Chris Baird had shared the heats.
Sunday - Tullyroan Oval
The Unlimited National Bangers saw some fantastic action and crashes galore at Tullyroan as they battled for the Shamwreck 2022 title. England’s Callum Hall led the early stages before he got removed and Steven Bolton went ahead. With action all around the track, former World Champion Bolton from Ballymoney staved off a challenge from Leonard Dunn to take a win he has been chasing for his whole career. He had no less than five second place finishes in the event to his credit, and this time he was finally able to break his duck. Jonny Murdock and Marty McKiernan filled the podium places.
The Allcomers race fell to Dublin’s Stevo McGrath, before Bolton took his second win of the afternoon in the meeting final. The James ‘The Cat’ Smith Memorial Destruction Derby for the last car moving fell to McKiernan after the field was whittled down by some huge crashes.

The National Ministox were racing for the Irish Masters trophy on Sunday, with heats wins for Tom Holcroft, Cody Hanson and Joelan Maynard. Another superb final saw Tom Holcroft ahead before a huge last bend lunge from Kasey Jones saw him unseat the leader and take a tremendous victory which drew great applause from the fans. Caiden Morrison claimed second spot with Toby Partridge in third.

The Junior Productions Irish Open Championship (sponsored by Cars Bought 24/7) saw heat wins for Leyton Hughes, Aaron Ward and Jack Morrow. A somewhat controversial Irish Open final saw a lengthy Stewards Enquiry which eventually saw the first two across the line being docked for contact. That elevated 10-year-old Antrim lad Hughes to the title win ahead of Scotland’s Koddi Wright and Morrow.

In the support formulas Antrim’s Stephen McCready took a fantastic victory in the all action 1300 Stock Cars as the lead was exchanged time and again, whilst Glenavy’s Mark McCambridge was the winner of the Lightning Rods final.

Added 30/05/22

Top Class Racing on Dramatic Night at Tullyroan Oval

Large grids and high quality racing was the order of the day at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday, as the big crowd on hand were treated to some spectacular action. Portadown’s Scott Cochrane impressed as he claimed the 2.0 Hot Rods Tullyroan Challenge Cup, whilst a hard fought Rookie Bangers Irish Open Championship fell to Limavady’s Josh Goligher.
The Superstox were arguably the formula of the night once again, with Birches man Alan Haugh claiming a heat and final double from a 27-car field. A dramatic Stock Rods final went the way of Nutts Corner’s Mark Crawford with young Noah Teggart from Banbridge claiming his first ever feature race winin the Ninja Karts.

Co Cork’s Ian Riordan joined the regular 2.0 Hot Rods drivers for the Tullyroan Challenge Cup, with Ryan McCrory holding off an early challenge from Conor Hughes to take the win in the opening heat. Heat two saw Drew McKeown claim the honours over Scott Cochrane and Riordan.
Cochrane and Riordan filled the front row for the Challenge Cup Final on aggregate points, with Cochrane quickly stamping his authority on proceedings and edging clear. As Scott reeled off the remaining laps to claim an emphatic win, Michael Woods took second ahead of Riordan, Jordan Rochford, McKeown and Jordan McCann.

Another excellent field of Rookie Bangers entertained as only they can, with action galore all around the circuit. Marc Morrell held off the advances of father and son duo John and Josh Goligher to claim the opening heat win, before Josh came through to take the heat two win over Phillip Farrell and John Goligher.
Despite an initial challenge early on from Morrell, Josh Goligher made good his escape in the Irish Open Championship final, Josh racing clear as the action continued around the track. Amongst the drama Jason Goodman went for a huge double rollover into the Tullyroan Bend, and amazingly selected first gear and rejoined the fray! As Josh Goligher took the title win, John Goligher made it a family one-two with William McFaul in third.

A huge field of 27 Superstox included welcome English visitor Declan Salmon amongst the ranks, and the first heat was dramatic to say the least! Ross O’Shea led early on before Alan Hawe took over, as Jeffrey Martin shed not one but two wheels in a home straight crash. Curtis Greer then took over out front before another caution with just one lap to go for a track blockage, again on the home straight. In the one lap dash to the flag Greer held on for the win over Craig McConnell and Salmon. Haugh then led the second heat which again was full of incident, and he was able to stave off a last lap challenge from David Beattie to take the chequered flag.
The final was another excellent encounter, with Haugh again the early pacesetter. He held off a huge last bend lunge from Greer to hold on and take his second win of the evening and earn a rise to blue grade for the next meeting. Greer was great value in second ahead of James Stewart and David Beattie.

The Stock Rods grid included a trio of welcome Tipperary visitors amongst the ranks, with Antrim’s Mark Kilpatrick initially claiming both heat victories before events after the final saw him excluded from all results at the meeting. For the record books, that handed the heat wins to Jonny Cardwell and Mark Overend.
Overend drove a blinding race in the final with Kilpatrick trying lap after lap to pass on the outside. Gradually the whole field was closing in to make it a monster battle for the lead, before the unfortunate Overend got a puncture and retired. Impressive visitor Declan McGrath then went ahead, but he left a gap down his inside with just one lap to go and Mark Crawford quickly filled it. Kilpatrick then nudged both Crawford and McGrath wide into the final bend, and then squeezed Crawford to the wall on the run to the flag, turning himself to the barrier in the process but still crossing the line ahead.
After a Stewards Enquiry, Crawford was awarded the victory with Kilpatrick removed from all results for events which took place after the race. McGrath, Cardwell, Sam McNeice and Marc Morrell completed the top five.

Newcomers Jack Murphy and Kayla Fegan completed their ORCi Junior Competence Tests before the meeting and joined the field for their race debuts. Alan Beattie led much of the distance in the opening heat before Ben Hawe snatched the win right at the end ahead of Beattie and Jack Morrison. Heat two saw Morrison build a huge lead out front but it was wiped out under a yellow flag, and that allowed Christian Murray to move ahead and claim the victory over Hawe and Noah Teggart.
The final was a tremendous race with Morrison again impressing out front until a late caution with just two laps to go. That was quickly followed by another caution, and it was Noah Teggart who held his nerve amidst the late drama to race home for his first ever Ninja Karts feature race win. Riley Dawson-Stirling, Ryan Abernethy and Murray completed the top four home.

Added 22/05/22

Keith Rolls Back The Years For Aghadowey Double

Thirty five years almost to the day since he won the 1987 British Championship, veteran National Hot Rod star Keith Martin showed he has lost none of his flair with a polished heat and final double at Aghadowey Oval on Friday evening. On a night of keenly contested events, there were King of Aghadowey victories for Stevie McNiece (Stock Rods) and Stuart Agnew (Lightning Rods) whilst Ballykelly’s Matthew Nicholl was another who raced to a heat and final double, this time in the Thunder Rods.

Round 12 of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI saw another healthy grid assemble, with Kenny McCann setting a great pace out front in the opening heat. Late on he came under some heavy pressure, with Simon Kennedy stealing past on the inside with just three laps to go to claim the win ahead of Ben McKee. Heat two saw Gareth Bevan the early pacesetter until he was relegated by Keith Martin, the Dungannon based former multi champion racing home to the win despite a fast closing Carl Sloan.
The final over 35 laps saw Martin quickly establish a handy advantage out front, with Kennedy and Podge McQuaid filling the top three places. Kennedy dropped back in the latter stages, with McQuaid then eating chunks out of Martin’s lead. The veteran had all under control though, and took his second final win of the season with McQuaid just holding off Ben McKee, Shane Murray and Derek Martin as they passed the chequers.

The Stock Rods, as always, served up some very close and tight racing, with Mark Foster managing to keep the rest at bay in the opening heat to take the victory over Stevie McNiece and Dan Shannon. Heat two was every bit as close, as recent form man Michael Rodgers held off the firm advances of Mark Crawford and Jonny Cardwell to take the chequered flag.
McNiece had gained pole position for the King of Agahdowey final courtesy of points scored during the heats, and he duly pulled clear in the feature race. As he romped home to the victory, Shannon just held off British Champion Cardwell for second, with Shane McMillan and Sam McNeice next home.
British Champion Ricky Shaw drew first blood in the Lightning Rods, taking the opening heat ahead of James McKinney before the second heat fell to Stuart Agnew over Dean Catherwood.
The King of Aghadowey final saw Agnew stretch clear to take the victory in style, the Magheralin man heading home McKinney and World Champion Nigel Jackson at the chequered flag.

Another well subscribed field of 22 Thunder Rods put on some dramatic racing, with former Junior Productions star Matthew Nichol taking a clear heat one win over Rab Preston in a race that saw a number of penalties and disqualifications as driving standards caught the eye of the Stewards. Heat two saw Clifford Gordon holding off Nicholl to take the win, with Zack McCombe in third.
The final again saw the lower graders dominate, as Nicholl pulled off a fantastic outside line pass on Gordon to take his second win of the evening. Gordon , Preston, McCombe and Lucas Goligher completed the premier places.

Added 15/05/22

Christie's Outside Charge To Tullyroan Victory

Crowd favourite John Christie took a very popular victory in the National Hot Rods Final at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday night, the Ballinderry driver producing a masterclass on the outside line to claim the spoils. On a lovely spring night of superb racing, the 2.0 Hot Rods feature race fell to Antrim’s Conor Hughes, whilst Randalstown’s Sam Percy won the Junior Productions Golden Helmet Award. Annalong’s Martin O’Flaherty took the win in the Lightning Rods division whilst it was Co Meath’s Anthony Morgan who claimed the win in the Classic Hot Rods.

An excellent eighteen cars took the first green flag of the night as the National Hot Rods contested Round 11 of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI. Gareth Bevan was the first to show in the opening heat, but he soon lost out to Simon Kennedy who took the win ahead of Keith Martin and Nigel McCauley. Heat two saw McCauley this time take the chequered flag, finishing well clear of Derek Martin and Adam Hylands.
The final was the race of the night, with McCauley settling into the lead early on, but having any advantage he had wiped out by an early caution period for a turn four incident. At the resumption he was made to fight long and hard against the advances of Carl Sloan, as the Kells man spent lap after lap on the outside line but just couldn’t make the move stick. By now John Christie and Derek Martin were playing a watching brief right behind, and when offered the chance Christie quickly hit the outside and hauled his Lotus past McCauley for the lead. John came home to a tremendously popular win ahead of Derek Martin, McCauley and Adam Maxwell.

An excellent field of 2.0 Hot Rods produced their best meeting of the season so far, with close, competitive racing all evening. Having won the final at Aghadowey Oval on Bank Holiday Monday, Londonderry’s Dean McFarland continued his good form with a clear opening heat win over Michael Woods and Ryan McCrory. Broughshane’s David Kernohan broke free in the second heat to record the victory, with Denver Grattan putting a great outside line pass on McFarland to grab second place.
The final saw McFarland set the early pace and even open a gap to the pack, but McCrory and British Champion Conor Hughes were quickly onto his tail. McCrory made his move into turn three to take the lead and race on to the chequered flag. The Stewards however weren’t happy with his pass for the lead, and he subsequently attracted a two place penalty after an investigation. That handed victory to Hughes ahead of Grattan and the demoted McCrory.
The young stars in the Junior Productions were racing for the Golden Helmet Award, and the superb trophy presented annually by the McKeown family. Returnee Aaron Ward led the way in the opening heat before a fantastic outside line pass from Sam Percy late in the race grabbed him the win. Heat two saw Irish Champion Matthew Weir race clear for a decisive win, coming home ahead of Stewart Hanna and Percy.
On aggregate points it was the impressive Percy who gained pole position for the Golden Helmet final, and he made good his escape early on to build a comfortable lead. A great battle was raging for second between Hanna and Koddi Wright, with Ward and Daniel Stewart getting on terms too. As Percy ran out a very deserving winner after a fine drive, welcome Scottish visitor Wright impressed in second with Ward getting third in the final analysis after Hanna was docked two places to fifth for contact.

The Lightning Rods once again entertained with some great racing, with Mark McCambridge breaking clear to win the opening heat ahead of Dean Catherwood and James McKinney. Catherwood then went one better in heat two, taking the win in his pretty BMW over Martin O’Flaherty and McCambridge.
The final was right from the top drawer, with a huge four way battle for the lead at one stage between O’Flaherty, McCambridge, Catherwood and British Champion Ricky Shaw. O’Flaherty was able to break clear at just the right time to secure a deserved victory over Catherwood and Shaw.

A trio of races from the small entry of Classic Hot Rods saw Adrian McKinstry’s popular Morris Minor take both heat wins, before the rapid Anthony Morgan prevailed in the final ahead of McKinstry and Mark Monaghan.

Added 08/05/22

McCann Storms to Superb Superstox Double at Aghadowey

The traditional Aghadowey Oval May Day Bank Holiday meeting served up some fantastic racing for the big crowd on hand, with all five formulas playing their part in the entertainment. The Superstox formula are booming a present and they stole the show with some great racing from a huge field of cars. Jamie McCann from Loughgall grabbed a heat and final double, with Londonderry’s Dean McFarland a delighted winner of the 2.0 Hot Rods final. Randalstown’s Michael Rodgers took a heat and final double in the Stock Rods, whilst Portadown’s Daniel Stewart (Junior Productions) and Garvagh’s Stephen Boyd (Rookie Bangers) both claimed King of Aghadowey title wins.

The Superstox were simply sensational throughout the day, with 28 cars in action although only 27 made it on track for heat one. As expected there was action aplenty with hits swapped lap after lap. Former World Champion Lee Davison came through to land the win ahead of Kyle Beattie and Steven Haugh. Heat two saw another fantastic race, with Alan Haugh ahead before Curtis Greer took over out front. In the closing stages Greer and Jamie McCann swapped the lead, before McCann got the crucial hit to take the win over Greer and Ed Davis.
If the heats were good, the final was on a different level with some terrific action and no less than three caution periods. Steven Haugh again had a spell out front until the final caution period, when a whole host of star names going for the win led to a number of casualties. From the high drama emerged McCann, to take the flag and complete his double for the afternoon. Kyle Beattie and Jordan Robinson completed the podium at the end of a fantastic show from the formula.

Gary Thompson was the first to show at the start of the opening 2.0 Hot Rods heat, the Cookstown man leading for uch of the distance before being relegated late on by Kris Fitzpatrick. As Kris took the cheuered flag, Denver Grattan and Jordan Rochford chased him home. Heat two saw Dean McFarland set the pace for much of the distance, before he unfortunately tripped over a backmarker with just three laps to go. That opened the door for Broughshane’s David Kernohan to take a welcome win ahead of Ryan McCrory and Drew McKeown.
McFarland again stretched clear in the final, before McCrory eventually broke free from the pack to chase him down. A great battle for the lead over the last few laps ensued, with McFarland holding on to take a fine win over McCrory, Grattan and Rochford.
A very healthy field of Stock Rods saw close, competitive racing all afternoon. Michael Rodgers took victory in the opener after a fine drive to lead home Mark Kilpatrick and Dan Shannon. In heat two it was Kilpatrick who took the victory, holding off Rodgers and Johnny Gillespie at the flag.
The final saw Rodgers quickly establish himself out front, and he never put a foot wrong all the way home despite a fast charging Shannon looming in his mirrors. British & Irish Champion Jonny Cardwell inherited second ahead of Colin McNiece after Shannon was docked in the final analysis for contact.

The Junior Productions grid was bolstered by a couple of welcome Scottish visitors in Koddi Wright and Jack MacLeod. Callum Doak led the early part of heat one, before Daniel Stewart took over to take yet another win in his great recent run. Doak and Leyton Hughes chased him home, before Stewart douibled up in heat two with another victory, this time ahead of Morrow and Doak.
Aggregate points put Stewart on pole for the King of Aghadowey final, and he led from flag to flag despite late pressure from star men Sam Percy and Jack Morrow. Wright came home for a creditable fourth ahead of Callum Magill and Matthew Weir.

As always the Rookie Bangers entertained the Bank Holiday crowd, with William McFaul taking the opener ahead of Gavin Gamble and Reece Pollock. Stephen Boyd was the man to watch in heat two, racing clear t land the win over John Goligher and Gamble.
The King of Aghadowey final saw Boyd quickly make his escape up front in an action packed race, with Stephen taking the flag ahead of McFaul and Marc Morrell after Josh Goligher was demoted for gaining an advantage by cutting a corner.

Added 03/05/22

Maxwell Thwarts McMillan's Tullyroan Treble Bid

On a damp and dreary night at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday, the on track action lifted the spirits of the hardy race fans who were served up some fantastic racing. Crumlin’s Adam Maxwell took a decisive win in the tenth round of National Hot Rods World Series NI, whilst Portadown’s World Champion Nigel Jackson took his new BMW to victory in the Lightning Rods Tullyroan Challenge Cup. Kilrea’s Zack McCombe was a deserving winner in the Thunder Rods category, with other feature race wins falling to Antrim’s Stephen McCcready in the 1300 Stock Cars and young Dungannon lad Ben Hawe in the Ninja Karts.

The National Hot Rods headlined the programme as they competed in Round 10 of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI. Derek McMillan was the star turn in the heats, the Kells driver making great use of his yellow grading to take a clear heat one win over Ian McReynolds and Ben McKee. The second race of the evening again saw McMillan triumphant, this time ahead of a chasing Adam Maxwell and Barry Stephen.
McMillan again hit the front early on in the feature race final, pulling out quite an advantage in the first half of the 35 lap event. McReynolds, Carl Sloan and then Barry Stephen all had turns at chasing the leader down, but late on Maxwell emerged as the main contender. The 2016 World Champion came into his own in the closing stages, and when he finally got onto the tail of the leader McMillan could offer little resistance. Maxwell charged through to take a great win, with Stephen and McMillan completing the podium.

The Lightning Rods excelled all evening in the difficult conditions, with the new for 2022 tyres providing excellent racing on the tricky track surface. Mark McCambridge initially led in the opening heat before World Champion Nigel Jackson stormed through for the victory in his new BMW , just pipping McCambridge for the win ahead of Jordan Rochford in third. James McKinney took a clear win in the reversed grid second heat, with Jackson returning to second in this one ahead of Mark Corry and Stuart Agnew.
The early sort out in the final made excellent viewing, with McCambridge getting ahead initially as Jackson struggled from pole position. Agnew soon went ahead with Jackson in pursuit, and there then followed a fantastic cat and mouse game as the duo raced together whilst utilising different lines in the wet conditions. Just as it looked all over, Agnew tripped over the backmarking Corry on the back straight on the final lap and then ended up spinning him into turn three. He just got across the line still ahead of Jackson and McCambridge, but after a very lengthy Stewards Enquiry Agnew was docked two places for the last bend contact which elevated Jackson to the win. McCambridge was elevated to second, with Agnew having to make do with third after a fine drive that deserved more.
An outstanding 26 cars took to the track in the Thunder Rods, with the action was as frantic and exciting as everyone expected from a grid of that size! The racing was dominated by the lower graders all evening, with Clifford Gordon and Matthew Nicholl battling hard for the opening heat win. They swapped the lead and then raced to the line neck and neck, with Gordon getting the verdict by the very slenderest of margins after a near dead heat. Heat two saw Nicholl this time take a deserved win, with Gordon in second ahead of Rab Preston.
The final saw another novice grader, Zack McCombe, get his nose ahead early on, and despite the best efforts of the rest to get on terms he ran out a deserving winner for the second meeting in a row. Gordon had to settle for second once again ahead of an impressive run from Darryl McAleese to third.

Once again the 1300 Stock Cars thrilled all evening, with bumperwork galore thrilling the fans. A recent regrading certainly seemed to help the racing, with action aplenty in heat one as Josh McKinstry took the win over Matthew Milliken and Chris Hamill. Heat Two saw a sensational finish, as Simon Lamont got the better of a last bend sort out that also included Milliken and McKinstry.
The meeting final started off with a huge four car shunt out onto the back straight, with everyone thankfully coming off unhurt after they all got turned hard left into the wall. After a caution for debris from the incident, Milliken took up the lead but in the closing stages had Stephen McCready and Irish Champion Hamill breathing down his neck. As expected the bumpers went flying in on the final turn, and it was McCready who took a superb win ahead of Hamill and Milliken after a stunning finish!

The young drivers in the Ninja Karts coped superbly with the wet conditions all night, with Ben Hawe slipping past long time leader Jack Morrison to take the opening heat over Keegan Turtle. Turtle went one better in heat two as this time he led Hawe home in another great race.
Morrison again impressed as he led the final early on, but Hawe was on a mission once again and he finally grabbed the lead after a great tussle. Ben then went on to wrap up his double for the day with a fine victory. Morrison, Turtle, Noah Teggart and Riley Dawson-Stirling completed the top finishers.

Added 03/05/22