Adam Scores Another Aghadowey Victory

Portadown’s Adam Hylands took his second final win in as many outings when he claimed victory in an exciting second round of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI for National Hot Rods at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday evening. Broughshane’s Jaimie McCurdy had earlier taken both heat wins, but Hylands excelled to come through to take the feature race honours.
Other final winners at the S McAfee & Son of Ballymena sponsored meeting were Glenarm’s Bobbie Johnston (Stock Rods), Magheralin’s Stuart Agnew (Lightning Rods), Meath’s Shane O’Connor (Junior Productions) and Tipperary’s Paul Whelan (Thunder Rods).

Another excellent field of National Hot Rods gathered at Aghadowey for the second round of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI, with a hectic start to heat one as Philip McCloy spun on the opening bend and fortunately was avoided by the oncoming pack. Podge McQuaid held the early lead, but Jaimie McCurdy was looking in fine form as he swept past to record a handsome victory over McQuaid and Kenny McCann. Jaimie then repeated the feat in heat two in some style yet again, this time leading home Andrew Stewart and Adam Heatrick.

McQuaid set the early pace in the feature race final, with McCurdy quickly stepping forward to mount a challenge for the lead. Jaimie was finding Podge a much tougher nut to crack this time, and soon former British and European Champion Adam Hylands had joined the party at the front. A number of caution periods littered the first part of proceedings, as Carl Sloan, Kenny McCann and McCloy all found trouble on the Brown Trout Bend. Once hostilities on track resumed, Hylands found the slightest of gaps down McQuaid’s inside into turn one, and then stretched ahead to a clear and decisive win. McCurdy had to settle for second this time, with Adam Heatrick completing the podium places.

Another great field of Stock Rods produced close, tight racing like only they can. Mark Overend led the early laps of heat one before losing out to eventual winner Rick Purdy from Cullybackey, with Overend and Joshua McMullan filling the places. Heat two was a keenly contested affair, with Overend, Samuel Montgomery and Robert McIlroy all contesting the lead spot. Ballymena teenager Adam McFall then worked his way through to the front in style, taking the victory over Overend and Bobbie Johnston.

Overend was first to show in the S McAfee and Son sponsored final, but he soon lost out to former British Champion Johnston in his new car. Former World Champion Stevie McNiece in his new Vauxhall Tigra quickly arrived on Bobbie’s rear bumper, with World Champion Derek McMillan having his best run of the night as he climbed to third. McNiece and McMillan kept Johnston honest all the way to the chequered flag, but Bobbie always had enough in hand to land a morale boosting victory.

After spells in both Stock Rods and ProStocks, Stuart Agnew made a dream start to his Lightning Rods career with an excellent evening’s results. The Magheralin driver scored a great win in the opening heat ahead of James McKinney and Mark Corry, before a frantic second heat saw Ally Neill snatch a late victory as Agnew seemed to hit trouble within sight of the flag. Stuart had to make do with second ahead of Dermot Tynan, as the big field of cars produced some excellent racing right down the grid.
Stuart Agnew quickly demoted Tynan to go ahead in the final, and such was Stuart’s pace that as the race went on he found himself right in amongst the squabbling star men to put them a lap down. There was no quarter given, and certainly none asked, right throughout the field, and as Stuart collected the silverware, his brother Tam Agnew powered through to make it a family one-two! Mark McCambridge had a deserved good run to third, ahead of Corry and Neill.

A very impressive entry of 21 Thunder Rods gridded for their opening heat, with the star graded drivers facing a difficult run through from the back of the grid. Portadown’s Sam Preston took the opener after getting the better of early leader Ryan Nixon, with Simon Lamont eventually coming home in second. Heat two saw Dean Catherwood lead for much of the distance, before a very opportunistic move from Dean Curran in the closing stages netted him a fine win with Lamont and Paul Whelan next home.
The Final saw Nixon the early pacesetter, before he was bundled wide by Lamont on lap five. The pace was frantic in the busy pack as a whole host raced towards the front and the premier places. Lamont was driving steadily out ahead though, with Catherwood and then Whelan giving chase. Lamont was first over the line but he fell foul of the Race Stewards who docked him two places to third for the earlier contact on Nixon. Whelan thus inherited the victory, making his long journey from Co Tipperary all the more worthwhile! Davy Gurney took second after a positive drive, with Lamont, Davy Wilson and James Goldie rounding out the top five.

Sixteen Junior Productions included race debuts for Alexander McCreadie and Jake Barrett, with Matthew Weir just holding off the challenge of Jack Morrow to take victory in the opening heat by inches on the line. Andrew Woods was the first to show in heat two, before Shane O’Connor showed great form to slice through to the front and the win ahead of Sam McNiece and Sam Percy.
The final saw Abbie McKinstry out front for much of the distance, the young Nutts Corner-based driver doing very well to hold off the advances of O’Connor in second. Abbie even confidently overcame a caution period and restart mid-race, but Shane eventually found a gap up the inside out onto the back straight to take the lead and the silverware after a fine drive. McKinstry took a creditable second ahead of Callum Magill and James Stewart.

Many thanks to our meeting sponsors, S McAfee & Son, Ballymena

Dream Senior Debut For McFall On Tullyroan Return

There was a welcome return to racing at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday night, with a fine turnout of drivers entertaining the fans throughout the evening. 16-year-old Ballymena driver Adam McFall was the star of the night, as he marked his graduation to the senior ranks with a faultless hat-trick of wins in the well subscribed Stock Rods division. Crumlin’s Michael Woods raced to glory in the 2.0 Hot Rods formula, with Garvagh’s William McFaul the winner of a destructive 2L National Bangers Tullyroan Challenge Cup.
The Superstox saw Portglenone’s Ed Davis steal through for a last gasp win, whilst young Antrim driver Leyton Hughes was the star of the outstanding Ninja Karts as he raced to a heat and final double.

An excellent field of Stock Rods were complimented by welcome visitor Gary Nicholls, with Adam McFall ominously lining up in the novice grade on his first meeting in the senior ranks. The former Junior Productions Irish Open Champion quickly got his head down, racing off to eventually land the win by over half a lap! Whilst it was a win many had expected from the talented youngster, he then repeated the feat with ease in heat two to really make everyone sit up and take notice! Joshua McMullan and Philip Wilson chased Adam home in the opener, with Wilson and Colin McNiece completing the top three in the second race.
Two wins saw McFall immediately rise to the yellow grade for the final, where things were always going to be that bit more difficult. He quickly got into his stride and scythed through the other novices, although a clash with leader Ryan Andersen brought about a race suspension. On the resumption Colin McNiece edged right onto Adam’s tail, but he showed experience well beyond his years to land the victory and complete his hat-trick. Even a post race Stewards Enquiry into his clash with Andersen couldn’t deny Adam, as McNiece and Rick Purdy completed the podium finishers.

Another fine showing of 2.0 Hot Rods produced some close, fast racing all evening. Londonderry based veteran Colin McFarland rolled back the years to land both heat wins, the former Super Rods World Champion showing some good pace behind the wheel of the Citroen Saxo normally used by his son Dean. Michael Woods and Ryan McClure chased Colin over the line in heat one, before he just held off the same duo in a blanket finish to heat two.

With McFarland upgraded for the final, it was Woods who made good his escape early on ahead of Jonny McMillan, with McFarland again driving a superb race to hold off a huge pack of the star names. Woods reeled off the laps to land a deserved victory, with McMillan and Drew McKeown rounding out the top three at the chequered flag.

The 2L National Bangers fielded an excellent entry, and the Tullyroan Challenge Cup race got off to a spectacular start as Dubliner Stevo McGrath went for a big roll on the home straight as he took the green flag. He was unhurt, and at the resumption of hostilities there were some huge hits around the raceway, with Tony Gillespie’s Vauxhall Limo a particular target. Marty McKiernan also took a heavy fencing too from Deano McGrath, all this as Garvagh’s Irish Champion William McFaul raced clear to take the win over Paul Compelli and Tom Brown.

The Allcomers event saw Stevo McGrath back in action and he despatched Brown in no uncertain terms, as Donemana’s Leonard Dunn took the flag ahead of Steven Bolton and Compelli.
An entertaining Destruction Derby rounded off the evening, with Gillespie’s Limo and Jake Macnicol amongst those on the receiving end of some big hits. The result was settled by a great head on between Dunn and Deano McGrath, with McGrath’s Mondeo emerging victorious.

A sprinking of new Superstox was great to see amongst their more than respectable entry, as Steven Haugh raced ahead in heat one to take the chequered flag. He was unfortunately docked two places by Race Control for jumping the start, handing the win to Jordan Robinson over Irish Champion Kyle Beattie. Haugh made no mistake in heat two, this time winning ahead of Jamie McCann and Beattie, after Del McLaughlin was this time dropped from second for a jump start.
Haugh took early control of the final too, and just when he looked home and dry he picked up a puncture which ended his challenge. Steven really has been dogged by some cruel luck this year, as he suffered exactly the same fate when leading a final back at the last Tullyroan Oval meeting in March. Ed Davis duly accepted the top spot and picked up his first ever feature race win in the Superstox, ahead of Beattie and Keith McAreavey.

The 6-11 year old Ninja Karts stars again thrilled the crowds, with a number of newcomers and visitors on show. Scotland’s Eevie Ford led the majority of the opener before being undone by a late caution period for a collision. That closed the field together and Irish Champion Leyton Hughes sped past to take the win. Heat two saw Ford again pipped at the post late on, as this time Toby Tyson snatched a last gasp win over Eevie and Ryan Berry.
The final once again saw Ford out front before a late caution period brought the star graders into contention. Ford and Berry had no answer to Hughes’ pace at the restart, and he raced home to take the silverware over Ford and Berry.
<b>Photos by John Wolsey</b>

Many thanks to our meeting sponsors, Dungannon Hot Tub Hire Tel: 07591 315754

Superb Return To Racing At Aghadowey Oval!

Ulster race fans and drivers enjoyed a sun bathed return to racing at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday evening after an enforced break of five months. The on track action was as hot as the weather, with Portadown’s Adam Hylands the big winner as he picked up a fine heat and final double in the opening round of the Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI for National Hot Rods.
Another Portadown star, Jordan Rochford, raced to victory in the 2.0 Hot Rods in only his second outing since graduating to the formula, whilst other feature race winners at the Getty Precision Engineering sponsored event were Magheralin’s Tam Agnew in the Lightning Rods, Coleraine’s Mark McLaughlin in the Thunder Rods and Rathfriland teenager Jack Morrow in the Junior Productions.

A fine field of nineteen National Hot Rods gathered for the opening round of the 2020/21 Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI. Ahoghill’s Philip McCloy was the first to show in the opener before former British and European Champion Adam Hylands swooped past to take the win. Adam made the most of his generous blue grading, with Derek Martin and an impressive McCloy filling out the top three. McCloy and Simon Kennedy contested the top spot in heat two, before another former European and British Champion, veteran Keith Martin, sliced through to the front to win over Hylands and Kennedy.

The final under the floodlights was a superb spectacle, with McCloy again out front early on. Hylands was really on a mission in this one, quickly taking over out front to put plenty of ground between him and the pack. The action was enthralling as those starting in the star graded pack picked their way through the order, and as Hylands took the flag by a distance it was Derek Martin and Glenn Bell who claimed the podium places. Bell had earlier collected the spoils for winning the 2019/20 World Series NI, which was unfortunately brought to a premature finish due the Coronavirus suspension of racing.

The 2.0 Hot Rods saw a debut for Stock Rods ace Curtis Greer, a return to action for Gary Thompson and a finely turned out new car for Antrim’s Conor Hughes. Fellow Antrim racer Ryan McCrory was the star turn during the heats, taking the opener ahead of Drew McKeown and Thomas Dilly, and then repeating the feat in the second heat ahead of Stuart Cochrane and Jordan Rochford.

The final saw Michael Woods setting the pace out front, challenged initially by McCrory before he lost out in his quest for the hat-trick. Rochford then found a way past Woods out onto the back straight to edge clear, taking the victory over McKeown and Denver Grattan.

Tam Agnew took a clear and decisive win in the opening Lightning Rods heat ahead of James McKinney and former World title holder Gordy McKee, before Strabane driver McKinney went one better in heat two to take the win over Agnew and Martin O’Flaherty.

The Getty Engineering sponsored final was an excellent race, with early leader Dermot Tynan losing out to Agnew early on. Tam soon had McKinney on his case, with World Champion Nigel Jackson joining the fun as the star men raced towards the head of the field. Jackson hit the outside but lost out, with the top ten now all in a huge pack battling for the win. Richard Stewart had a great run around the outside late on, but Agnew held on under severe pressure to take the victory over McKinney and Stewart.

An excellent entry of almost 20 Thunder Rods took to the grid, with newcomer Sam Preston taking a flag to flag victory in heat one ahead of two more debutants in Dean Catherwood and Simon Lamont. Yet another first timer, Ryan Nixon, led much of heat two before returnee Mark McLaughlin slipped by to take the victory over Nixon and Lamont.

Catherwood and then Lamont had spells out front in the feature race, before McLaughlin used his experience to get ahead in the final stages. As Mark completed a deserved double, Preston and long distance traveller Paul Whelan completed the podium finishers at the end of a great evening’s entertainment from the budget formula.

Young Abbie McKinstry showed great promise as she led for much of the distance in the opening Junior Productions heat, before Jack Morrow swooped past to take the flag. Unfortunately for Jack he was disqualified in the final analysis in Race Control for an incident which led to the demise of star man Sam Percy earlier in the race. That handed the win to Sam McNeice over McKinstry and Aaron Ward. Heat two saw another excellent race, but again blighted by penalties. Chelsy Rainey and former Ninja Kart racer Matthew Weir had contested the lead, only for Weir to be leaned to the infield as he challenged for the lead. Rainey took the flag but was demoted two places for the incident, quite rightly handing the victory back to Weir ahead of McKinstry.

The young racers were all eager to get back racing after the lay off, and whilst they all showed plenty of promise the final did become rather messy and littered with penalties. McKinstry and then Ward had turns out front, but it was Morrow who came through for the silverware ahead of James Stewart and McNeice.

Many thanks to our meeting sponsors, Getty Precision Engineering Tel: 028 7964 5481

Simpson Race Exhausts Renew Sponsorship of National Hot Rods World Series NI

DMC Race Promotions are delighted to announce that Simpson Race Exhausts have renewed their sponsorship of National Hot Rods World Series NI, which will get underway once the Ulster circuits return to action following the Coronavirus pandemic. The feature race final winner at each round of the series will receive a cash bonus courtesy of Matt Simpson at Simpson Race Exhausts.

Simpson, a recent star in the BTCC and also a former National Hot Rods European Champion, is very enthusiastic about the sponsorship package. “It’s amazing being part of the Northern Ireland World Series once again as our business continues to grow across all formulae. We wish everyone the best of luck this season.”

Darren Black from DMC Race Promotions was also full of praise for the deal. “We can’t thank Matt enough for his kind sponsorship of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI. This is the third year of what has been a very successful partnership so far and we are looking forward to a great season ahead, having lost the second half of the 2019/20 series due to the pandemic. The Northern Ireland series is arguably the most competitive of them all, and this year should be no different with more new drivers ready to join the fold. Our partnership with one of motorsport’s most recognisable companies in Simpson Race Exhausts can only help develop the series even more.”

The DMC team are working daily to secure a return to racing, and as always Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI for the National Hot Rods will be a major part of our schedule.

Bell Crowned Simpson Race Exhausts NI Champion

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI for National Hot Rods has been declared by the NHRPA after the seventh round (Tullyroan Oval, March 14th 2020). Congratulations to 9 Glenn Bell who becomes 2019/2020 Northern Ireland Champion, and he will receive the perpetual shield at an upcoming meeting.

Once we can return to racing, the opening National Hot Rod meeting will be Round 1 of the 2021 World Series NI.

Click Here To View Final Points Standings

Latest Update from ORCi - Wednesday 1st July

The ORCi have today issued their latest update on the Coronavirus situation - 'When Can We Return To A New Normal?'.

Click on the link below to view the update.

Click Here to View Latest ORCi Update

ORCi Update Statement - 24th June 2020

ORCi promoters continue to meet regularly to keep up to date with government advice and how best we may service our competitors and eventually spectators and thank all for their patience and support as we progressively move forward 'step by step'

In line with a measured response to returning the country to a 'new norm' the ORCi continues to review government advice and policy as it unfolds and to that effect via a video conference discussion yesterday the ORCi is positively looking at how it may modify some of it's Covid 19 policies from 4th July to permit competitive racing at venues but again, strictly behind 'closed' doors and with Covid 19 policies.

In the last 10 days the ORCi reviewed it's rules with numbers of vehicles per transporter as it continually assesses the risk element and government advice to ease things for our drivers where we can safely do so.

Venues are also in consultation with their local HSE/EHO to secure their permission to move forward and within the next 10 days, the ORCi will review it's policies in advance of the first proposed 'competitive' event.

Different promotions are re opening their venues for practice / private hire at an increasing rate however it should be understood that this is where it is viable to offer such facilities, sadly not all venues will be able to operate. We are pursuing further government clarifications. However, we are moving forwards quite progressively within one month.

The ORCi and promoters are 'happy' that we are now beginning to move to a new norm setting and possibly, move forward with competitive events. We repeat that certainly as far as July is concerned there is currently no advice with regards attendance of spectators/others however therefore public attendance remains prohibited until further notice.

Once the government opens up discussion on 'mass events' then the ORCi very quickly will be working hard to return our sport to a situation where we may be able to allow attendance subject to what Government advice evolves.

In terms of Pit Areas the ORCi will continue with it's MINIMUM 2m social distance rule between transporters as 'best practice' and has operated well since early June.

All who have run practice events thus far have remarked positively on the co-operation of attendees which has made the sessions much easier to operate and we thank you for that and ongoing we request attendees to continue the 'common sense' in adherence to government advice and Covid 19 policies and risk assessments.

All advice in terms of travel to venues remains as per advice already in place.

Latest Statement From ORCi

The ORCi held a further video conference on Friday 22nd May to update the current situation and review government advice with regards our own sport.

We have been in communication with Government departments and individual EHO/HSE authorities around the UK on best practice to enable some venues to re open. The government’s latest advice for an easing of restrictions came into effect on Wednesday 13th May however offered little clarity and some ambiguity with regards our own sport so such guidance has been sought.

Subject to a further government announcement on the 1st June 2020, providing that there is no adverse advice, ORCi promoters individually will release provisional venues and dates for practice type sessions effective 2nd June 2020 onwards. The decision to operate practice / private hire sessions will be an individual decision based upon viability and/or any local enforcement advice, together with further considerations to include the availability of event officials, the effect on the government’s scheme for furloughed employees, and the overriding concern of ensuring a safe environment.

The ORCi is working with HSE consultants to produce robust Covid 19 Risk Assessments which will require strict adherence from participants staff and limited attendees and conditions to comply with government guidelines to keep all safe and best practice.

These will be published in advance via orci.co.uk before a limited resumption of activities.

At this juncture, the ORCi cannot offer any further guidance as to when race events may resume with or without restrictions, however, there may be further clarification after the next Government announcement on 1st June which will be reviewed at a further scheduled meeting later that week.

Scotland, currently cannot yet advise a date for any resumption as the devolved government is operating slightly different 'lockdown' and easing of restrictions and further advice on that will be provided as and when further information is made available by the Scottish government. The contents of this statement remain provisional and subject to what the government releases on 1st June. Should guidance change on 1st June, ORCi will release a further statement following that.

Stay Alert and Keep Safe,

Steve Rees
Chairman
For / and on behalf ORCi

Statement From The ORCi

Please see below an updated statement from the ORCi regarding the current Coronavirus situation.

Click Here For ORCi Statement

All Events Suspended Until Further Notice

Due to the coronavirus situation, all racing at DMC Race Promotions has been suspended until further notice.

Please Stay Safe

Dilly Double at Tullyroan Opener!

The season opening meeting at Tullyroan Oval saw an excellent turnout of competitors, with meeting sponsor Thomas Dilly of Portadown-based DRS Steelbuildings taking a polished heat and final double in the National Hot Rods division. Ballymena’s Jonny McMillan came out on top of a well subscribed 2.0 Hot Rods field with a clear final victory, whilst the other feature race winners were Tam Agnew (Lightning Rods), Paddy Murphy (Superstox) and Sam McNeice (Junior Productions).

The seventh round of Simpson Race Exhausts World Series NI for National Hot Rods got off to the worst possible start, with a big crash for the new car of John Christie during the warm up laps for heat one. That ruled him out for the evening unfortunately, with Thomas Dilly taking victory after a scrap with Simon Kennedy. Kennedy looked all set to grab the heat two honours until he clipped a spinning Jaimie McCurdy, putting him out on the spot. Gary Woolsey picked up the pieces to grab the win over Glenn Bell and Dilly.
By final time we had one dry line available, which made overtaking nigh on impossible. Dilly led them off but soon had Woolsey, Shane Murray, Bell and the rest queued up behind. The pressure on Thomas was immense, but he held his nerve to take the victory over Woolsey and Murray.

A very healthy field of 2.0 Hot Rods took to the track, with Ryan McClure and Ryan McCrory battling hard at the front of the field. McClure took the flag but was then excluded from the remainder of the meeting following a tyre logging error. That handed the win to McCrory over Denver Grattan and Stephen Emerson, with Irish Champion Adam Best then coming through to win an untidy second heat over Michael Woods.
Colin McFarland led the initial laps of the final, but Jonny McMillan soon powered past in his Tigra to take a huge lead. A loose wheel on the raceway brought the caution flags out with just one lap remaining, but Jonny rode out the one lap shootout to grab the silverware ahead of McCrory and Emerson.

Stuart Agnew made his debut in the Lightning Rods and very quickly settled into the groove, reeling off two heat wins in some style. In heat one he held off World Champion Nigel Jackson before coming home clear of Aaron Brunton in heat two. An upgrade for Stuart before the final was always going to make things much more difficult, but his brother Tam stepped forward to land the silverware and complete a family clean sweep for the night. James McKinney made Tam work hard for his win, coming home a close second ahead of Richard Stewart.

Ed Davis kicked off his Superstox season in style with victory in the opening heat, just about holding on despite Irish Champion Kyle Beattie’s last corner lunge with the bumper. Heat two saw a clear win for Steven Haugh from the front of the grid with Beattie once again in second. Haugh again impressed in the final, pulling clear only to be left heartbroken when he picked up a puncture with less than two laps remaining. Paddy Murphy sensationally took over to snatch a last gasp victory over Beattie and Davis.

An encouraging field of young Junior Production drivers took to the track, with Abbie McKinstry driving superbly to land an excellent win in the opening heat ahead of Alex Milligan. Matthew Weir impressed in heat two, leading for much of the distance before losing out to a great outside run from Sam Percy. Callum Magill took a deserved second at the line.
Weir again had a great run in the final, but he lost the lead just past the halfway mark as Sam McNeice stormed through to take the feature race win over Percy and Magill.

Many thanks to our meeting sponsors, DRS Steelbuildings

2020 Race Dates Now Online!

DMC Race Promotions are pleased to release our 2020 race dates, and we can all look forward to another exciting season of short oval motorsport at Tullyroan Oval and Aghadowey Oval with some excellent events in store.

The headline meeting of the year will be the 2.0 Hot Rods Championship of the World which will be defended by England's Dave Leech at Aghadowey Oval over the weekend of July 18th/19th. That Summer Speedweekend will also see the Lightning Rods European Championship up for grabs as well as the National Championship for Ninja Karts. An exciting addition to the weekend will be the first Ulster visit of the BriSCA National Ministox - one of the must-see formulas on the UK ovals at present.

The National Hot Rods British Championship, the Superstox European Championship and the Classic Hot Rods Irish Open Championship headline the September Speedweekend at Tullyroan Oval on September 26th/27th, whilst another huge event will be Shamwreck 2020 for the Unlimited National Bangers at Tullyroan Oval on Sunday May 31st.

Other major championships up for grabs include the Stock Rods British Championship at Aghadowey Oval on August 22nd, and evening that will also see the National Hot Rods race in the last ever staging of The Davy Evans Memorial Trophy, which returns to its original venue for one last lap.

There is a packed race schedule, probably our strongest ever, featuring all our exciting formulas, with an early start in March and running right through to November.

As always we have some fantastic marketing opportunities available across these meetings. We will be contacting our existing backers over the coming weeks, but if you would like to get your company noticed at DMC Race Promotions please drop us an email to info@dmcracepromotions.com to discuss your requirements.

Please note that all fixtures are subject to change

Click Here To View 2020 Fixtures