Streaming/Recording Racing

In line with many other race tracks, DMC Race Promotions would like to inform everyone that the rights to film and video at our circuits are held by the promotion.

These rights are currently under contract to NIOvalTV for use on Spedeworth TV.

Live streaming of any racing and/or the recording of full races for later upload is strictly forbidden, unless permission is granted in advance.

There is no issue with short clips uploaded to social media channels, but we must protect those who are investing in our sport.

Davy McCall
Promoter

Added 28/04/22

Latest Points Update

In our latest points update, standings have been published for three of our formulas:

2.0 Hot Rods 2021/22 NI Points Championship
2022 Irish Championship Grid Points
2022 Hoosier Challenge Series Points

1300 Stock Cars 2021/22 Autoweld NI Points Championship
1300 Stock Cars Irish Championship Grid Points

Rookie Bangers 2021/22 DMC Race Promotions Points Championship

Jordan Rochford continues to head the NI Points Championship for the 2.0 Hot Rods, whilst Chris Hamill is still well clear in the 1300 Stock Cars Autoweld NI Points Championship. Stephen Boyd is currently top of the Rookie Bangers DMC Points Championship.

To view the latest points charts, click on 'Drivers' in the menu bar above and then select the desired formula from the drop down under 'Points & Grades'.

Added 25/04/22

Cochrane Lands 2.0 Hot Rods Glory at Tullyroan

An action packed night of Stock Car Racing was enjoyed by a very healthy crowd at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday evening, with excellent car numbers in every formula on show.
Portadown driver Scott Cochrane was victorious in the opening round if the Hoosier Challenge Series for 2.0 Hot Rods, whilst Loughgall’s Jamie McCann came through for the final win from a record breaking field of Superstox. Garvagh’s Stephen Boyd enjoyed a heat and final double in the entertaining Rookie Bangers, whilst Rathfriland’s Jack Morrow won the first ever Moffett Shield for Junior Productions. An action packed 1300 Stock Cars final rounded off the programme, with the win falling to Antrim’s Stephen McCready.

A twenty car field of 2.0 Hot Rods lined up for their opening heat, with Scott Cochrane coming through a somewhat untidy race to take victory over Conor Hughes and Denver Grattan. Heat two saw the McFarland father and son duo, Colin and Dean, make great strides away from the front of the field, with Dean taking an impressive win over his father in a family one-two.
The final was the opening round of the Hoosier Challenge Series, and it was Cochrane who impressed as he romped home to take the win and a new race tyre courtesy of the series sponsors. Drew McKeown held onto second after a long Stewards Enquiry into the race, with Michael Woods, Gary Fowler and a demoted Hughes next home.

A stunning grid of 26 Superstox took to the track for their opening heat, but they didn’t get very far until a huge cartwheel down the home straight for former World Champion Lee Davison. Thankfully Lee was able to walk away without injury. On the resumption, David Beattie came through to take the win having punted Steven Haugh wide on the final turn in perfect stock car fashion. Heat two saw Alan Haugh this time the man to beat, the former ProStocks star pulling clear to take the win over Curtis Greer and Beattie.
A full grid of cars under the floodlights really was an awesome sight, as the Superstox really have underlined their tag of one of the best formulas on the local ovals. Alan Haugh set the early final pace, but he lost out to a fast charging Jamie McCann. McCann was carrying some great pace, and he took an impressive victory over Craig McConnell and Beattie.
The Rookie Bangers arrived in big numbers once again, with some excellent racing all evening. It was action galore in the opening heat with crashes and spinners galore. Garvagh’s Stephen Boyd took the win ahead of Marc Morrell, before former Stock Rods World Champion Morrell took his first Bangers win in the second heat after an impressive drive. Josh Goligher and Ian Crowley filled the places.

The final was another thrilling race, with reigning Points Champion William McFaul getting out front early on. He then got himself involved with a backmarker and lost his chance, allowing the chasing bunch to take over. Lucas Goligher, Josh Goligher and Boyd contested the lead over the final laps, with Boyd taking the win in a thrilling finish ahead of Lucas Goligher and Sean Ryan.

The inaugural staging of the Moffett Shield for Junior Productions was a great success, with another fine field of cars taking to the grid. Daniel Stewart won the opening heat over Callum Doak, before the Portadown lad repeated the feat in the second heat with Doak again second ahead of Ryan Berry.
The final was lined up on aggregate points, which brought the star drivers closer to the head of the grid. Rathfriland’s Jack Morrow wasted little time in getting his nose ahead, and he romped home a clear winner to receive the magnificent shield from the Moffett family. Stewart was second and received the best white/yellow grade award, with Berry and Doak next in the result after a total of three disqualifications as driving standards slipped.

Once again the 1300 Stock Cars entertained all evening, with hits and places exchanged constantly throughout all of the races. Young Ty Richardson was the star of the heats, the novice grabbing both heat wins without being challenged. It was a different story in the pack with some frantic racing, with Robbie Wright and Simon Lamont getting second and third in the opener before Stephen McCready and Wright followed Ty home in the second heat.
An automatic elevation to yellow grade for the final saw Richardson’s initial advantage reduced, but he still looked odds on for the win before mechanical trouble intervened. That opened the race right up to the squabbling pack, with McCready getting the deserved win after a great drive ahead of Lamont and Jonathan Brown.

Added 25/04/22

Latest Points Update

In our latest points update, standings for National Hot Rods, National Bangers and Stock Rods have been published.

In the National Hot Rods, defending NI champion and current National Champion Derek Martin currently tops the 2021/22 Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI Standings ahead of Adam Hylands and Shane Murray. In the Cirrus Plastics DMC Points Championship for 2022, the current leader after three meetings is Hylands ahead of Martin and Thomas Dilly.

In the National Bangers, after the entertaining 2L Irish Teams encounter Tony Gillespie is still ahead in the 2021/22 DMC Race Promotions Championship ahead of Mike Flaherty and Rodney Herron. Next meeting is Shamwreck!

In the Stock Rods 2021/22 NI Points Championship, Shane McMillan has jumped to the top of the chart after the Easter weekend, with double championship winner Dan Shannon now second and Marc Morrell in third. A full regrading is also now available.

To view the latest points charts, click on 'Drivers' in the menu bar above and then select the desired formula from the drop down under 'Points & Grades'.

Added 20/04/22

Shannon Doubles Up With Alan Connolly Memorial Win

Glenavy’s Dan Shannon followed up his Irish Open Championship success of two days earlier by claiming victory in the coveted Alan Connolly Memorial Trophy for Stock Rods at Aghadowey Oval on Easter Monday afternoon. In front of the large Bank Holiday crowd there was also a hat-trick of wins for National Hot Rods veteran Keith Martin in their latest World Series round, whilst Garvagh’s Dean Catherwood produced a similar feat in the Lightning Rods.
England’s Murray Hall was the winner of the Ninja Karts King of Aghadowey title, whilst newcomer Zach McCombe from Kilrea won the Thunder Rods feature race.

A pleasing field of Stock Rods took to the grid for the Alan Connolly Memorial Trophy, in honour of Ballymoney’s former World Champion. Dan Shannon quickly got off the mark with a clear win in the opening heat over Derek McMillan and Scotland’s Chris Lattka, before Curtis Greer marked his return to the formula with success in the second heat.
The Alan Connolly Memorial Trophy final saw Shannon and World Champion Siobhan Martin share the front row, with Shannon immediately taking up the running. Martin really was putting him under pressure nearing the end, but it was Dan who ran out the winner of the prestigious trophy in some style. Martin and McMillan filled out the podium places.

Dungannon’s former World Champion Keith Martin was the man to beat in Round 9 of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI for National Hot Rods, the seasoned campaigner taking a faultless hat-trick of wins during the afternoon. In the opener Keith held off Thomas Dilly and Derek McMillan at the flag, before Simon Kennedy and McMillan completed the top three in the second heat.
The feature race final again saw Martin quickly hit the front, and the veteran used all his experience to keep the rest at bay. Dilly and Podge McQuaid completed the podium, with Derek Martin, Barry Stephen and Adam Hylands next home. A whole host of visitors arrived to take on the local youngsters in the Ninja Karts King of Aghadowey, and it was Norwich based Jenson Fish who raced to victory in the opening heat over Shaun Boyle from Scotland and another English driver Murray Hall. Heat two saw Fish look odds on for another win until he clipped a spun kart on the final bend, handing the win to Jack Connor from Scotland ahead of Hall and Boyle.
The King of Aghadowey final was a controversial affair, with a number of disqualifications handed out for contact and a late race red flag adding to the drama. In the final analysis it was Hall who was crowned King of Aghadowey after a splendid drive ahead of Ryan Abernethy Jnr and Layton Cairns, as the young Ninja stars once again thrilled the crowds.

The Lightning Rods saw World Champion Nigel Jackson debut his new BMW, but it was Dean Catherwood in his BMW who impressed all afternoon. He led home Stuart Agnew and Martin O’Flaherty for a great heat one win, before he just held off O’Flaherty to take the second heat as well.
With an automatic upgrade for the final, it was never going to be plain sailing for Dean running from further back on the grid. But he had every intention of grabbing the feature race silverware too, and he duly led them home to complete his hat-trick ahead of Jackson and James McKinney.

The all-action Thunder Rods completed the line up, with well in excess of 20 cars coming to the grid for heat one. It was Rab Preston who took the victory in the opener, demoting newcomer Warren Graham to take the win. Clifford Gordon then took the second heat after a great drive ahead of Darryl McAleese and Zach McCombe.
McCombe’s third place in that second heat on his first night of racing signalled his undoubted ability, and he duly hit the front in the final and pulled clear to take a decisive and deserved victory. Gordon just couldn’t get close enough to the flying McCombe and had to settle for second ahead of Ryan Fleming and Preston.

Added 19/04/22

Shannon Shines at Tullyroan Season Opener

The new oval racing season kicked off in style at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday night, with a huge turnout of both competitors and spectators. Glenavy’s Dan Shannon took victory in the feature event, the Stock Rods Irish Open Championship, whilst Crumlin’s Adam Maxwell marked his return to racing with a polished heat and final double in the National Hot Rods. Limavady’s Josh Goligher was another heat and final double winner, this time in the 2L National Bangers, but even that couldn’t stop his rivals Team KODS taking the Irish Teams Championship victory. 10 year old debutant Leyton Hughes from Antrim took a heat and final double in the Junior Productions, whilst the feature race winner in the 1300 Stock Cars was Annaghmore’s Robbie Wright.

The local Stock Rods were boosted by a trio of welcome Scottish visitors for the Irish Open Championship, with Joe Largey getting the better of Siobhan Martin to take the heat one win. Martin and Christ Lattka filled the places, before Nutts Corner’s Mark Crawford took a decisive win in heat two by some margin with Mark Foster impressing in second ahead of Shane McMillan.
Aggregate points saw Scots duo Lattka and Martin lock out the front row of the grid for the Irish Open Final, with Lattka showing first out front. Dan Shannon was quickly on the attack, putting a great move on Lattka into turn three to take up the running. Shannon pulled clear to take his first major victory in the formula after a fine drive, with Martin and Lattka filling out the top three.

A record breaking field for a domestic National Hot Rods encounter of 22 cars lined up for round eight of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI. The opening heat saw a number of caution periods, with Podge McQuaid leading in his pretty Lotus. Former World Champion Adam Maxwell then pulled off a great outside line move to take the win over McQuaid and Derek Martin. Heat two was the race of the night by some distance, with seasoned campaigner Keith Martin leading the way at the head of the field. Entering the closing stages it became a fierce five car battle for the lead, with Carl Sloan doing his best on the outside line. He dropped back, with Adam Hylands then hauling himself alongside Martin on the run to the flag to win by inches on the line.
The final saw a couple of major incidents that eliminated a number of cars, before it came down to a titanic three way dice for the lead between Maxwell, Derek Martin and Hylands. Despite all that the others could throw at him, Maxwell held on to complete his double for the evening and announce that he was well and truly back! Hylands, D Martin and McQuaid filled out the premier places. A very respectable entry of 2L National Bangers entertained all evening, racing for the Irish Teams Championship. Josh Goligher took the opening heat for The Hooligans ahead of Mike Flaherty and Dac Patton, before heat two saw Lewis Burke take the chequered flag for Team KODS over Lucas Goligher and Jay Gurney.
The final saw some big hits handed out, with Josh Goligher again grabbing the win over Flaherty and Matthew Nicholl. Going in to the last car moving Destruction Derby The Hooligans led the points table, but Tony Gillespie’s sterling win saw Team KODS leapfrog to the top of the standings to take the Irish Teams Championship title.

Five newcomers completed their ORCi Junior Assessments prior to the opening Junior Productions race, with two of them being Ninja Karts World Champion Leyton Hughes and Irish Champion Ryan Berry. Berry led the field for most of the first heat, only to be nudged wide and out of contention as he and Hughes fought for the top spot. Leyton took the flag ahead of Declan O’Connor, but both were demoted by the Race Stewards for contact. That handed a first ever win in the formula to Lauren Berry ahead of Daniel Stewart. Hughes made no mistake in heat two, holding off Stewart and O’Connor for his first Junior Production win.
Ryan Berry led early on in the final, before he was challenged and passed by Hughes. As Hughes hit the front, Stewart was coming on strong nearing the end but Leyton just managed to hold on to compete a fine double to earn a rise to yellow grade after just one meeting. Stewart was great value in second ahead of Lauren Berry and Stewart Hanna.

1300 Stock Cars Completing the programme were the 1300 Stock Cars, and they produced some fantastic racing with the sparks flying as the bumpers went in hard all night long. Young Ty Richardson put his novice grading to good use to land the victory in the opening heat over Marcus Crossett, before it was Josh McKinstry who took a highly entertaining second heat over Ivan Elliott.
The final was another blinding race, with a late yellow flag bringing the field onto the tail of leader Richardson. Ty showed great composure to hold them all off, and just when it looked like the silverware was his, car problems saw him hesitate allowing Robbie Wright to steal through for a last gasp victory. Richardson had to make do with second ahead of Crossett and Elliott.

Added 19/04/22

Latest Points Update

The latest standings have been published for Superstox and Ninja Karts after Saturday's opening meeting of the season. Points season's for most formulas now run from World Final to World Final.

In the Superstox, 925 Craig McConnell has had a great start to the 2021/22 season and he tops the standings ahead of 914 Lee Davison and 944 Jordan Robinson.

In the Ninja Karts, 1 Leyton Hughes continues to top the chart in the Ninja Karts, but having missed Saturday's meeting his lead has been slashed.

To view the latest points charts, click on 'Drivers' in the menu bar above and then select the desired formula from the drop down under 'Points & Grades'.

Added 11/04/22

Triumph For Thomas As Racing Returns At Aghadowey

The new oval racing season burst into life at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday evening, with some fantastic racing keeping the big crowd entertained throughout the opening meeting. Portadown’s Thomas Dilly took the honours in the headlining Simpson Race Exhausts World Series round for National Hot Rods, whilst Cloughmills driver Sean Mark raced to a heat and final double in a very well subscribed Superstox formula.
Nutts Corner’s Michael Woods took a faultless hat-trick in the 2.0 Hot Rods, with Portadown’s Mark Corry and Essex racer Christian Murray taking heat and final double wins in the Lightning Rods and Ninja Karts repectively.

Podge McQuaid put his superb new Lotus Exige to good use in the opening National Hot Rods heat, as he led for most of the distance to record the win over a rapid looking Adam Hylands who had him under serious pressure towards the end. Thomas Dilly and Simon Kennedy were next across the line. Kennedy was the one to watch in heat two, as his newly liveried Vauxhall Tigra took a decisive win ahead of Dilly’s Ginetta and the Mercedes of Ben McKee.
The final was easily the race of the night, as Dilly got himself out front and invited allcomers to wrestle the lead away. McKee initially tried the outside line, before Hylands attempted the difficult pass time and again. Adam drew alongside and sometimes ahead, but Thomas used all his experience the hold them all at bay and take a great win. Hylands was excellent value in second ahead of McKee, McQuaid and Shane Murray.

A fantastic field of 25 Superstox arrived in the pits to do battle at the season opener, boosted by World Champion Nick Roots and his brother Dan from the south of England. It was a fine start to their World Championship year at Aghadowey, with the big one scheduled to be contested in September.
On a very busy track, Sean Mark relegated early leader Brian Lammey to take the heat one win over Graham Meek and a rapid looking Craig McConnell in his new WRC car. It was McConnell who then powered through to take the heat two win, ahead of Jamie McCann and Lee Davison after Curtis Greer was penalised from second for jumping the start.
The final saw drama aplenty as the bumpers were put to good use. Mark again worked his way ahead early on, edging out a healthy lead as the star men squabbled. David Beattie, another in a new WRC chassis, was driving superbly to cut down the deficit, and on the final lap he went for a last gasp lunge at the leader. He was just too far back though, and his gallant efforts only succeeded in seeing him spin out of contention. That handed second to McConnell on the run to the flag, ahead of World Champion Roots in third, with the race ending in spectacular fashion as Kyle Beattie went for a rollover on the exit of turn four.
A pleasing field of sixteen 2.0 Hot Rods took to the grid, with the promise of more to come in the next few weeks. Michael Woods was the man of the evening, winning both heats with ease and then repeating the feat in the final, and that even after a promotion to the blue grade.
The opening heat Scott Cochrane and welcome returnee Jamie McCann chase Woods over the line, before Michael finished ahead of Denver Grattan and McCann in heat two. The final Saw Woods get a great jump from the front of the blue garde and he left the rest trailing in his wake. Cochrane and Gary Fowler completed the top three ahead of McCann and Jordan Rochford.

A new era for the Lightning Rods dawned with the first meeting under the new rules, with BMW’s now joining the Sierra’s on the grid and everyone on the new control tyre. Formula debutant Dean Catherwood in a beautiful BMW led the way in the opening heat, before being overhauled on the final lap by Stuart Agnew who took the win. Heat two saw the first ever BMW win, as Mark Corry raced his example to victory lane over Mark McCambridge and Agnew.
Corry quickly got ahead in the final, and despite the best efforts of McCambridge, British Champion Ricky Shaw and Agnew, Mark held on the complete the double and the dream start for his new car.

A very pleasing six newcomers lined up for the opening Ninja Karts heat, with Essex based Christian Murray taking the win after a great outside run to pass the impressive Jack Morrison in the closing stages. Heat two saw Caolan Fegan out front setting the pace, until Ben Hawe pulled off a fantastic move on the final lap to snatch the victory.
In the final Morrison held the initial lead, but caution periods wiped out his advantage at the front. Murray soon took over at the head of the pack, Christian romping home to his second win of the night which sees him upgraded to the blue grade for the next meeting. Riley Dawson-Stirling and Fegan completed the top three.

Added 10/04/22

2022 Race Dates Now Available

DMC Race Promotions are pleased to release our 2022 Race Dates.

The action will commence with two pre-season Practice Days during March, before racing commences in early April.

During the year we have some fantastic events planned, including the blockbuster September Speedweekend at Aghadowey Oval which is headlined by the 61st running of the Superstox Championship of the World, the National Hot Rods British Championship, the 2.0 Hot Rods European Championship and also the Classic Hot Rods Irish Open Championship.

July will see both the Stock Rods and Ninja Karts battle for their World Championship titles at Tullyroan Oval in the Summer Speedweekend, whilst the Unlimited National Bangers Shamwreck returns to its usual time of year in late May.

That late May weekend will not only feature Shamwreck, but also the first ever British Championship for the Junior Productions and a return visit from the National Ministox that proved so popular in 2021.

We hope everyone enjoys a full season of top quality Hot Rod, Stock Car and Banger Racing with us at DMC Race Promotions - The Ultimate in Ulster Oval Racing!

Click Here To View Fixture List

Added 10/02/22

Latest Points Update

In our latest points update, the standings for Lightning Rods, National Bangers and Rookie Bangers have been updated after the festive race meetings.

World Champion Nigel Jackson leads the 2021/22 Lightning Rods NI Points Championship at the first regrading, ahead of Ally Neill, Ronan McNally and Ricky Shaw.

Tony Gillespie has stretched well clear in the National Bangers points chart ahead of Stevo McGrath, whilst Gavin Gamble leads the Rookie Bangers points chase ahead of defending champion William McFaul and Gavin Mulvey.

To view the latest points charts, click on 'Drivers' in the menu bar above and then select the desired formula from the drop down under 'Points & Grades'.

Added 04/01/21

Van-tastic Start to 2022 at Tullyroan Oval!

A fantastic afternoon of racing at Tullyroan Oval on Sunday heralded the start of 2022 in style. Young Londonderry star David Gurney came out on top of the headlining Big Van Bangers as he took the aptly named ‘Van-dalism 2022’ title. An action packed Rookie Bangers New Year Challenge fell to Garvagh’s Stephen Boyd, whilst the other feature race winners of the afternoon were Portadown’s World Champion Nigel Jackson in the Lightning Rods, Cloughmills driver Sean Mark in the Superstox and up and coming Dungannon driver Aaron Dynes in the Junior Productions.

As always at the New Year meeting, the Big Van Bangers topped the programme. The Van-dalism 2022 race was first up and saw an entertaining encounter, as Stevo McGrath did his best to block the track and take out as many others as he could! David Gurney survived all the attempts to remove him, taking the win in style over Brian Mullen in his huge bus and Rodney Herron.
McGrath and Tony Gillespie did their best to destroy each other in an action-packed Allcomers race, with McGrath taking the chequered flag as Gillespie’s van all but disintegrated! Tony somehow returned it for the Destruction Derby, but he was beaten into submission by Simon Lamont who took a fine win. Gillespie was quite rightly awarded the Best Wreck and Entertainer of the Day awards.

A huge field of Rookie Bangers produced some spectacular action with almost 40 cars on track for the opening heat. Dublin star Deano McGrath raced to the heat one victory over Gavin Gamble, before Gamble then took a fine win in heat two over Ryan Nixon and Matthew Nicholl in another action packed encounter.
The final was a superb race, with John Goligher and Stephen Boyd disputing the lead entering the final stages. Goligher went ahead at what looked like the perfect time with a lap to go, but Boyd came steaming back into the final bend, punting Goligher wide and into two parked cars. Boyd took a sensational last gasp win, with Goligher managing to get home in second ahead of William McFaul.
Formula debuts for brothers Ryan and Jordan Dilly plus a welcome visit from Kieran Burke bolstered the Lightning Rods field on a very slippery raceway, with every race of the day only decided on the very last lap! Mark McCambridge led most of heat one before losing out to James McKinney right at the death, and then Nigel Jackson just pipped Ally Neill to the flag in a drag race out of the last bend to take the heat two spoils.
In the final it was Ethan Dilly who led the way for much of the distance, but once Jackson broke free from the pack he began closing in at quite some rate. He arrived on Dilly’s bumper with a lap to go, and found a run up the inside to out drag Ethan to the line to grab the victory by the smallest of margins – 0.025 seconds.

Amongst the Superstox grid were debuts for Nathan Clarke and Saloon Stock Car star Ryan Wright, as former World Champion Lee Davison proved to be the man to beat on the treacherous surface. Lee swooped past long time leader Sean Mark to take the opening heat win with Kyle Beattie in third, before repeating the feat in heat two. Jordan Robinson was runner up this time ahead of David Beattie.
Disaster struck for Davison in the final as he hit mechanical problems early on and his hat-trick hopes were dashed. Mark made a fine start from the yellow grade once again, and this time Sean wouldn’t be caught as the Cloughmills man took the flag and the silverware to mark his return to form in some style. Robinson and Craig McConnell filled the podium places ahead of Steven Haugh, Brian Lammey and Nathan Beattie.

Welcome Scottish visitors Liam Loggie and Jack MacLeod joined the Junior Production regulars for the day, with the field also boosted by debutant Jake Devlin. It took three attempts to get the opening heat underway as the youngsters struggled on the greasy track, and once they did get going they produced a cracking race! Aaron Dynes led early on before the chasing pack of star names caught up towards the end. Jack Morrow went ahead before he tangled with Chelsy Rainey, which opened the door for Loggie to take a superb victory. Rainey and Dynes filled the places ahead of a demoted Morrow.
Morrow made no mistake in heat two, taking a great win ahead of Dynes and Declan O’Connor. The final saw Dynes make an early break for the front, and despite the best efforts of the chasing Morrow and O’Connor, Aaron held on to record a very popular win, the first feature race victory of his career.

Added 03/01/22

McKee Masters Conditions To Win Richard Turtle Memorial

Templepatrick’s Ben McKee produced an excellent drive in difficult conditions to claim the Richard Turtle Memorial Cup for the National Hot Rods at an excellent festive Aghadowey Oval meeting last Monday afternoon.

With a descending fog and a greasy track making the going very tricky, Ben showed the field a clean pair of heels to run out a clear winner. Other feature race winners were Ballymena’s Daniel Rodgers in the Thunder Rods, rising Cullybackey star Keegan Turtle in the Ninja Karts, Glenavy’s Dan Shannon in the Stock Rods and Bleary’s Drew McKeown in the 2.0 Hot Rods. The entertaining Caravan Destruction Derby fell to Strabane's Tony Gillespie.

A great field of sixteen National Hot Rods gathered to contest Round 6 of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI and the Richard Turtle Memorial Cup. It is held each year in memory of the popular former star driver from Cullybackey. Amongst the grid was welcome Dublin visitor Les Compelli. Barry Stephen was the man to watch during the heats, the Scotsman grabbing the opener over Carl Sloan and John Christie before heading Shane Murray and Nigel McCauley home in heat two.
The final saw Stephen take the early lead until he was challenged by Ben McKee as they approached mid distance. After a tussle McKee went ahead, and pulled well clear as he revelled in the slippery conditions. A huge battle ensued for second, which finally fell the way of National Champion Derek Martin after a great outside run, with Stephen third ahead of Christie and Murray. Such was McKee’s lead that he was right amongst this battle to lap them as the chequered flag fell.

As always, the Stock Rods were on top form with the opening heat featuring a superb multi-car dice for the lead. Thomas Morrison held sway out front with Stevie McNiece, Victor McAfee, Mark Crawford and Jonny Cardwell just some of those attempting to get past. McNiece made the outside move stick with just three to go to claim a great win over Morrison and Crawford. Heat two saw McAfee set the pace for much of the way, before Cardwell found a gap on the last lap to claim the win over Victor and Stevie McNiece.
The final again saw a titanic battle out front, with Morrison holding sway before he went out with a puncture. That elevated McNiece to the lead but he then lost out to Crawford on the Brown Trout Bend. In the final analysis, Crawford was demoted by the Stewards for the manner in which he took the lead. That handed victory to second over the line Dan Shannon, ahead of Cardwell, the relegated Crawford and the very unlucky McNiece.

Three eventful races from the 2.0 Hot Rods entertained the crowds, with Garvagh’s Johnny McCloy breaking clear to win heat one over British Champion Conor Hughes and Irish Champion Jordan Rochford. Gary Fowler led heat two early on, before NI Points Champion Drew McKeown raced ahead to win over McCloy and Rochford.
The final saw a great battle between McCloy and McKeown for the lead, before they were joined by Hughes to make it a three way scrap. Hughes almost got past McCloy, but as they were side by side they ran wide which a driver of McKeown’s calibre was always going to seize upon. He nipped inside them both and ahead to take the silverware over Rochford and McCloy.

A full field of twenty Thunder Rods took to the grid, with returnee David Reynolds from Clough taking a tough fought heat one win over Daniel Rodgers and Ryan Murphy. An eventful second heat fell to Ricky Bradley over Murphy and Rodgers, and heading into the feature race final it was a tough call as to who would take the honours. On his comeback meeting, it was Ballymena driver Rodgers who was the man on a mission, as he relegated early leader Clifford Gordon to take a decisive win. Murphy and Gordon completed the placemen.

The Ninja Karts field was bolstered by England’s Jack Jones and Scottish racers Kenzie Bell and Tommy Melrose. The racing was fantastic all afternoon from the 6-11 year olds, with Crumlin’s Riley Dawson-Stirling taking the opening heat over World Champion Leyton Hughes and Keegan Turtle. Heat two saw Riley take his second win of the day, coming through late to snatch the victory with Hughes and Turtle again the placemen.
The final was a contender for race of the day, with Caolan Fegan setting a blistering pace out front with Charlie Johnston and Turtle chasing hard. The star men were struggling to get on terms from the rear of the grid, leaving the leading trio to fight it out between them. Just as he looked to have the trophy in the bag, Fegan hesitated ever so slightly in the backmarking traffic allowing the others to close on the run to the line. It was a real blanket finish with Turtle getting the nod and the winner’s trophy by just 0.042 seconds! Fegan had to make do with second ahead of Johnston and Hughes.

The exciting Caravan Destruction Derby completed the holiday programme, with the drivers driving through and over each other to absolutely destroy the caravans. The entertaining event was won by Tony Gillespie from Strabane with Ballymoney’s Ian Bolton starring with a big rollover to end his chances.

Added 28/12/21