Donegal’s Trevor McConnell led a packed field of 25 2.0 Hot Rods into battle for heat one, before he lost out to a squabbling Jordan McCann and Johnny McCloy. McCann took the flag and survived a lengthy Stewards Enquiry before getting to keep the win, with Michael Woods and Curtis Greer filling the places once a number of penalties had been handed down. The second heat saw heartbreak for Gary Grattan as he looked all set to claim his maiden win in the formula, only for his car to mysteriously cut out with just two laps to go. That gifted the lead, and the win, to McCloy over Greer and McCann.
The final, the opening round of the Hoosier Racing Tyres Series, saw McCann set the early pace in what turned out to be a thrilling race. He was challenged hard from behind by the pack, until Greer got right alongside him into the Brown Trout Bend. As the lead duo drifted wide, Antrim’s Stephen Emerson grabbed the opportunity and nipped underneath them both to take the lead, the win and the new Hoosier race tyre courtesy of the series sponsors. Greer, Ryan McCrory, Adam Heatrick and Drew McKeown completed the top finishers in a fantastic event.

The reversed grid qualifying system was in operation for the Lightning Rods King of Aghadowey, with Stuart Agnew pulling well clear to take the opening heat over Vince Litter and Ricky Shaw. Former World Champion Gordy McKee hit the front early in heat two, before Mark McCambridge powered past to take the win over current World title holder Nigel Jackson and Aaron Stewart.
Jackson had qualified on pole position on aggregate points, which looked very ominous for the rest of the field. The Portadown based World Champion then produced a masterclass to leave the rest trailing in his wake to land the King of Aghadowey crown. Aaron Stewart and his cousin Richard Stewart completed the podium, the latter having the best result so far for his new BMW.

The young aces in the Junior Productions were competing for The Young Trophy, presented each year at Aghadowey for many years now by the Young and Hosie families. Ballymena’s Aaron Ward took the opening heat in some style after edging past leader Andrew Woods around the outside. Heat two had plenty of talking points, with Alexander McCreadie the early leader until he tangled with Sam Percy, with Jack Morrow also getting involved too in the mix. Morrow emerged from the back straight chaos to land the win over Stewart Hanna and Chelsy Rainey.
The final saw Ward and Morrow share the front row, although the unfortunate Ward went out early on with a puncture. Morrow pulled clear to record a fine win and claim the fantastic Young Trophy, with Rainey just getting the better of Percy for second. Declan O’Connor claimed the best white/yellow grade award, whilst the Merit Award went to the welcome Scottish visitor Declan Dixon.