Mervyn Emerson Memorial Tops Aghadowey Line Up

Aghadowey Oval is gearing up for an action packed night of short oval motorsport on Saturday 26th September, with the first race scheduled to roar into action at 6:30pm. With five highly competitive formulas, the event promises high speed thrills and bumper-to-bumper racing with some coveted silverware up for grabs.

2.0 Hot Rods
The headline event of the evening features the spectacular, high-speed 2.0 Hot Rods, who will battle it out for the prestigious Mervyn Emerson Memorial Trophy. This special race honours the memory of the former star driver and always brings out the absolute best in the non-contact class.

Scottish star Jason Secker returns to defend the trophy, arriving in blistering form after recently capturing the National Championship in Holland. He faces an elite field of local talent, including recently crowned World Champion Adam Hylands of Portadown, who secured the Hoosier Tyres Series at the venue just a fortnight ago. The Portadown challenge is further strengthened by teenage sensation and reigning British Champion Callum Doak. Current Irish Champion Jordan Rochford is guaranteed to be in the thick of the action, while the ever-improving James McKinney enters the fray in excellent form. There will be a greatly enhanced prize fund of over £1,000 for the race, with thanks to Auto Collision Belfast, Countrystyle Burgers and Loanends Commercial Repairs.

Junior Productions
Young racing talent takes centre stage in the Junior Productions, where the drivers will contest the DMC Gold Cup. Known for incredibly close non-contact racing, this teenage formula is exceptionally difficult to predict. Casey Cherry starts as a major contender after winning the King of Aghadowey title at the last meeting. Ryan Berry enters the event on a rich vein of form, while current British and National Champion Leyton Hughes is determined to bounce back from recent setbacks to return to the winner's circle. Adding further star power to the grid is Irish Open Champion Jack Morrison, who remains a constant threat at the front of the pack.

1400 Stock Cars
Fans of heavy-metal action will be treated to the fearsome 1400 Stock Cars, a formula famed for big bumpers and big action. This meeting carries extra significance as the final shakedown before next month's prestigious British Championship at Aghadowey. Reigning Irish Champion Curtis Greer of Cullybackey is widely regarded as the main man to beat, but he will face stiff opposition from a grid of hungry drivers, including the formidable Josh McKinstry, Graham meek and Gary Freeeburn.

1600 Rookie Bangers
For full-throttle entertainment, the 1600 Rookie Bangers are set to deliver plenty of fun and drama in their signature bash-and-crash style. Limavady’s Josh Goligher is full of confidence following his final victory two weeks ago, while Karl Smyth is another formidable force after picking up a double heat win at the previous meeting. Current points leader Alan Haugh will look to extend his advantage at the top of the standings, though Ballymoney ace Steven Bolton will be doing everything he can to stop him.

Thunder Rods
Completing the bumper five-formula programme are the Thunder Rods, an entry-level, non-contact class that consistently delivers some of the largest grids of the night. Racing is always frantic in this budget-friendly class, and Kilrea’s Jordan Nicholl will be hoping to replicate his stellar performance from the last meeting, where he dominated the field to secure a magnificent double victory.

With some coveted silverware at stake, Saturday night under the Aghadowey floodlights is a meeting not to be missed.

Added 23/09/2026