Rochford & Johnston Crowned Kings of Aghadowey

It was a night of close finishes and first time winners at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday night (April 5th), as the sun drenched fans were treated to some great racing. Portadown’s Jordan Rochford (2.0 Hot Rods) and Ballymena’s Bobbie Johnston (1300 Stock Cars) were both crowned King of Aghadowey in their respective formula’s, whilst there were heat and final doubles for both Cullybackey’s Keegan Turtle in the Junior Productions and Coleraine’s Mark McLaughlin in the Thunder Rods.
The Stock Rods also served up some fine action, with Portadown’s Rab Preston taking the trophy by the smallest of margins.

The reversed grid qualifying system was in operation for the 2.0 Hot Rods, with former double World Champion Jordan Rochford taking the opener ahead of Drew McKeown and Ally Neill. Broughshane’s Adam Weir continued his good run with victory in heat two, but all eyes were on Rochford who used the notoriously tricky Aghadowey outside line to haul himself past the field in the closing stages to superbly grab second in what was easily the drive of the night.
On aggregate points Rochford had annexed pole spot from McKeown, and when the green flag went down they settled into the top two spots. McKeown just had no answer to Rochford’s pace, Jordan taking the King of Aghadowey with ease from McKeown and Aaron Stewart.

The 1300 Stock Cars were also chasing the King of Aghadowey title, the opening heat seeing a runaway win for Jonny Patterson from his generous yellow grading with Michael Logan second in his Toyota Starlet ahead of Fionn Donnelly. Patterson again won heat two to take pole position for the main race, with Josh McKinstry’s stirring drive in the midst of a lively places battle netting him second ahead of Craig Bodenham.
The King of Aghadowey final was lined up in points order with a closed grid, and as expected the opening exchanges were very lively indeed! As the frontrunners rattled around the wall early on, Bobbie Johnston burst through to the lead, and despite the best effort of Matthew Milliken it was Bobbie who took the honours with Gary Freeburn in third.

The opening Stock Rods heat produced a stunning finale, with the top three all coming to the line side-by-side. It was the closest of finishes, with Declan O’Connor getting the nod by a hairs breadth from Harry Minish and Rab Preston. Junior Productions graduate Minish again led the way in heat two, and once again he had O’Connor and Preston tracking him down from the handicap. Harry this time just held on for his first ever senior win from O’Connor and Preston.
The final, unsurprisingly, again saw the same trio battle it out as the star graders struggled to get on terms. Minish led but as the lap boards came out his night long adversaries had arrived to commence battle. O’Connor went to Minish’s outside and edged narrowly ahead, only for Preston to find a gap up the inside of them both on the final lap to nip ahead. Rab took a fine win by another very fine margin, ahead of O’Connor and Minish, with Mark Crawford next home in fourth.

The Thunder Rods are currently booming with a superb 24 cars on track. It was hectic going throughout the field all evening, with Mark McLaughlin racing past early leader Brian Hutton to win the opener by some distance. Hutton and Liam Irwin completed the places, before Hutton went one better by grabbing his first ever win in the second heat ahead of Irwin and Liam Wilson.
Ballymena’s Brandon Kernohan had a spell ahead in the final before Hutton charged to the front, but McLaughlin was once again a man on a mission as he scythed through past Irwin to the lead to take his second chequered flag of the evening. Mark even survived a late caution period and restart, with Irish Champion James Goldie getting the best of huge places scrap to take second from James Steele and welcome returnee Adam Graham.

There was a first ever win in the Junior Productions for Jake Barnett in the opening heat, coming home ahead of Leyton Hughes and Jack Morrison. Heat two saw another maiden victory, this time for recent Ninja Karts graduate Keegan Turtle in only his second ever meeting in the formula. Keegan led home Ryan Abernethy Jnr and Charlie Johnston at the chequered flag.
The final saw an early yellow flag, which looked likely to change the face of the race. But Turtle had other ideas, calmly settling into the lead once again despite the challenge of Johnston from behind. Keegan drove superbly to keep them all at bay and take his second win of the evening, with Johnston, Hughes and Casey Cherry filling out the places.

Martin Wins Dramatic Tullyroan National Hot Rod Final

A breathtaking National Hot Rods final at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday night, March 29th, had the fans on their feet right to the chequered flag, as Dungannon’s Derek Martin took the honours in a dramatic finale. On a night a quality racing throughout the five formulas on show, sixteen-year-old Portadown driver Callum Doak marked his debut in the 2.0 Hot Rods with a very impressive heat and final double, whilst Loughgall’s Jamie McCann scooped the Tullyroan Challenge Cup for the Superstox.
Ballymena’s Conor Doherty held on to take the Lightning Rods final victory, whilst a hard fought Rookie Bangers session saw Garvagh’s William McFaul score a hat-trick to win the Spring Classic.

An outstanding field of 21 National Hot Rods came to grid for Round 9 of World Series NI – a sight and sound to behold under the floodlights of the Tullyroan bowl. Johnny McCloy has had all sorts of mechanical issues over the past number of outings, but it all came together for the Garvagh driver as he took the opening heat win at a canter ahead of the evergreen Keith Martin and Nigel McAuley. The spectacle was outstanding with such a big field, and McCloy repeated the feat in heat two with another victory, this time ahead of the new Ginetta of Thomas Dilly, Dean McCrory and Gary Woolsey.
McCloy again set the pace in the feature race final, and looked odds on to complete his hat-trick until a late caution period was called for the stranded Dilly car on turn two. The double file NASCAR style restart gave Allen Cherry the opportunity to power ahead, but he clipped McCloy and ended up in the Annaghmore End wall, bringing out another caution. This time former World Champion Derek Martin pulled off the perfect restart to hit the front, taking his new Maxda MX5 to a great win to complete a sensational session of National Hot Rod racing. McCauley, Shane Murray and Ian Riordan completed the top places.

An excellent entry of 2.0 Hot Rods broke the 20-car barrier, with Junior Productions graduate Callum Doak showing the rest of the field the way home in the opener to take the win after a very solid drive indeed for a sixteen year old. Ally Neill and Adam Weir completed the top three. Doak again led heat two from the front, but this time Neill pulled clear of the pack to chase him down and take the win. Doak held on superbly for second with Dean McFarland in third spot.
Doak once again stepped off the line to lead the final, with Rodgers and Ronan McNally jousting for second spot. It’s quite a step up from a Junior Production to a 2.0 Hot Rod, but Callum showed experience way beyond his years to romp home to his second success of the night, and in some style too. Behind the flying teenager, Rodgers, Weir and McNally could all be pleased with a good night’s work as they filled the places.

The local Superstox were joined by welcome Scottish visitors Aaron Riddell and Kenny McKenzie for the Tullyroan Challenge Cup. Neil Hyndman led most of the way in the opening heat before he lost out to fast moving former World Champion Kyle Beattie. Beattie was originally docked two places for jumping the start, but was re-instated to the win following a successful appeal. Hyndman again led heat two for a distance, but this time it was an impressive Paddy Murphy who roared through to take the flag ahead of Hyndman and Steven Haugh.
The closed grid final paired Murphy and Hyndman on the front row, and the bumpers clattered in during the opening exchanges which sent most of the field out to the wall. Through the melee Jamie McCann hit the front from the fourth row of the grid, and he would go on to take an impressive win in his new car. Haugh chased him down for all he was worth but just couldn’t get on terms, with Beattie taking third spot.

Dermot Tynan led the opening Lightning Rods heat for much of the distance before losing out midway to Nigel Jackson who went on to take the win over Ross Houston and Mark Corry. Heat two saw Houston go one better, taking the win over World title holder Stuart Agnew and Jackson.
The final saw Ian McCune take a healthy early lead, chased by Conor Doherty. Doherty soon went ahead, with Houston chasing him down in the closing stages. Doherty held on for a great win, with Houston, McCune and Jackson filling the places.

The 1600 Rookie Bangers were lively all evening, with William McFaul racing clear to win the opening heat ahead of Stephen Boyd. The action continued apace in heat two as McFaul again took the flag ahead of Gavin Gamble and Stephen Goligher.
The Spring Classic Final saw Chris Herron and Jason Goodman get their noses ahead early on, but there was no stopping McFaul who powered past to take the win to complete his hat-trick for the night. Steven Bolton and World Champ Lucas Goligher filled the places.

Cherry On Top In National Hot Rods Season Opener

Despite some very inclement weather, the 2025 race season at Aghadowey Oval kicked off in fine style on Saturday night, March 22nd. It was a night of great racing and last gasp victories, as the fans who braved the cold and wet evening were treated to some fantastic action.

Loughgall’s Allen Cherry won the feature race of the night, World Series NI Round 8 for the National Hot Rods, but every other final went right down to the wire. Leading lady Siobhan Martin (Dungannon) raced through late on to snatch the Stock Rods final, whilst Glenavy’s Joe Largey grabbed the Thunder Rods victory right at the death.
Donegal’s Andrew Russell was the victor in a great Junior Productions feature race having taken the lead on the back straight of the final lap, whilst young Larne star Denver Bevan was another to hit the front on the final lap as he won the Ninja Karts final.

A healthy field of 18 National Hot Rods took to the grid for their opening heat, with the conditions mandating wet tyres all round. Prior to the the race the racing fraternity paid a very fitting tribute to much loved DMC staff member Christine Kerr, who recently passed away.
Kells driver Derek McMillan revelled in the conditions to take a great win after a battle with Ahoghill’s Phil McCloy. Heat two was utterly dominated by European Champion Adam Maxwell, the Crumlin ace scything through the pack to win by a distance ahead of Allen Cherry and McCloy.
The final saw the track drying somewhat, and this time Cherry came into his own. He quickly put some distance between himself and the pack, building up a lead he would never lose. As he took his first feature race win in the elite formula in some style, Maxwell, Ian Riordan and Jeff Riordan filled the places.

Close and competitive as always, the Stock Rods fielded an excellent entry of 18 cars including debuts for Jamie Cardwell and Harry Minish. Rab Preston was a clear winner of heat one ahead of Sam Wilson and the impressive Siobhan Martin. Heat two saw a blistering drive from National Champion Jonny Cardwell, who found lots of grip out wide by the wall to storm through for an emphatic win over Declan O’Connor and Callum Magill.
After an early battle Magill found himself out front in the final, but he soon had a flying Martin bearing down on him. The Scottish lady driver, now based in Dungannon, was showing a great turn of pace and immediately hit the outside line looking for the victory. Siobhan dragged herself past Magill as the lap boards came out, taking a resounding success to really set down a marker for the 2025 campaign.

Over 20 Thunder Rods braved the poor conditions for their first outing of 2025, with Mark McLaughlin taking a clear win in the first heat over Nolan Wilson and James Steele. The action was fast and frantic all evening, with heat two seeing Jake Carson ahead before Josh Young hit the front. Adam McKinney came late though with a great outside run to take the win over Young and Steele.
The final was another cracker that you couldn’t take your eyes off for a second. Carson built a very healthy lead out front but, just when it looked like a debut win for the Ballymena driver, former Stock Rods European Champion Joe largey managed to break free from the pack. He chased Carson down, and executed the perfect outside pass on the last lap to win the drag race to the line for the silverware in arguably the drive of the night. Carson could be well pleased with a very gallant runner up slot, ahead of McLaughlin and Irish Champion James Goldie.

Seventeen Junior Productions bodes well for the season ahead, with Charlie Johnston taking the first heat ahead of Ryan Abernethy Jnr and Leyton Hughes. Heat two developed into a great battle as Abernethy held on out front, but he had no answer to the flying Ryan Berry who took a great win after a very polished drive indeed.
The final was another superb race, with Jake Barnett out front until demoted by a fast moving Jack Morrison. Jack looked all set to make it three final wins on the trot until he came under severe late pressure in the changing conditions. Donegal’s Andrew Russell managed to squeeze into a gap to take the lead on the very last lap, taking a great victory over Morrison, Hughes and Berry.

The young stars of the future in the Ninja Karts completed the programme, with Luke Grattan and Denver Bevan having spells out front before star man Jack Murphy swooped past for a great win over Bevan and William Brown in heat one. Birthday boy Harry Hoy and Bevan were both ahead at a stage in heat two, but once again it was Murphy who blasted through the 20-kart pack to take his second win of the night, with Bevan and Brown again the placemen.
With no caution periods in the final, Murphy found it much harder to get to the front and that left Bevan and Brown to battle it out. Brown led almost the full distance, only to be out-foxed by Bevan in backmarking traffic as they went into the final bend on the last lap! As Bevan took a well deserved win, Murphy and Eddie Fowler filled the top three as Brown spun out within sight of the flag.

Christine Kerr

We are all deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our much loved staff member Christine, sister of Doris McCall, after a brave and courageous battle with illness.

Christine was a bubbly and popular figure around the DMC circuits, the first face everyone met when they arrived at the gate on race day. She was a friend to everyone - drivers, spectators and staff members alike - with her outgoing personality and love for all things racing always shining through.

She was an ardent supporter of all our drivers when they headed off to compete in the major events, and there was no-one more proud when they returned home with championship trophies on a regular basis.

Christine fought her illness bravely, and still attended race meetings when able until recently. She was an inspiration to us all.

We would like to pass on our deepest condolences to her daughter Chandara, her sister Doris and the wider Kerr and McCall families at this difficult time.

Christine’s funeral will take place in St. Saviour’s Parish Church, Craigavon at 1.30pm on Friday 21st March.

Darren Black
DMC Race Promotions

2025 Season Starts With A Bang At Tullyroan Oval

The 2025 race season at Tullyroan Oval got off to a fantastic start on a sunny Sunday afternoon, March 9th. The Unlimited National Bangers saw Templepatrick’s Gordy McKee take the main event as he won the Tullyroan Masters, with the same title in the 1600 Rookie Bangers falling to Limavady’s John Goligher.
Broughshane’s Adam Weir showed great form to win the 2.0 Hot Rods final, whilst Portadown young gun Eddie Fowler won the Ninja Karts feature race.

The opening race for the Unlimited National Bangers was the feature race of the afternoon, the Tullyroan Masters. The action came thick and fast, with an enormous hit for Dave Haugh from the Lincoln Towncar Yank of Stevo McGrath which left Haugh’s car totally destroyed on the back straight. McGrath also stopped Sean Flaherty in style too, as Gordy McKee raced to a great win over Matthew Nicholl and Kieran McIvor.
There was another big hit from Steven Reynolds on Rodney Herron in the first Allcomers race, as McKee again took the win over Leonard Dunn and McIvor, with Gordy then completing his fine hat-trick for the day by winning Allcomers 2 ahead of Dunn and Nicholl. The Destruction Derby completed proceedings and went the way of Deano McGrath in his Jaguar, whilst Reynolds took the Entertainer of the Day Award and Best Wreck undoubtedly went to Haugh.

A very respectable field of 1600 Rookie Bangers came under starters orders for their opening heat, with Chris Herron the first to show out front. Gavin Gamble then surged ahead to take the win over Steven Bolton. Bolton then went one better in an action packed heat two, taking the victory over Gamble and Stephen Boyd.
The Tullyroan Masters final saw Irish and Irish Open Champion John Goligher quickly demote Leonard Dunn to hit the front, and he wouldn’t be shifted as he took the title in great fashion. William McFaul and Boyd completed the podium places ahead of Dunn and Gamble. The afternoon then finished off with an Allcomers event, which saw Bolton take his second win of the day ahead of McFaul and Gamble. Ashley Bodenham deservedly took the Entertainer of the Day award.

Alan Wilson set the early pace in the opening 2.0 Hot Rods heat, but he had no answer to the flying former World Champion Jordan Rochford who took the win ahead of the unlucky Adam Weir and Jake Devlin. Devlin impressed in heat two, winning from Weir and Adam Heatrick.
Wilson again led the final, but Weir this time was a man on a mission, as he hit the front before half distance. Despite the flying Rochford looming large in his mirrors, Broughshane lad Weir had all under control to scoop the silverware. Behind Rochford, Devlin and Wilson completed the top four.

An excellent field of over 20 Ninja Karts came to the grid for their opening heat, with no less than twelve novice graders ready to take the flag. Jack Murphy produced a stirring drive to come from the star grade at the back of the line up to take the win over Ollie Williamson and Jaxon Cairns. Luke Grattan produced perhaps his best ever drive to date to lead the second heat for most of the distance, only to be outfoxed in backmarkers within sight of the flag. Denver Bevan pounced entering the last bend to snatch the win in superb fashion ahead of William Brown and Grattan.
The final was another nail-biting encounter, with Grattan again the initial leader. Cairns and Ethan McQuillan raced past to take the flag, but both were penalised by the race stewards for contact during the race which elevated Eddie Fowler to victory lane for his first feature race win. Cahan Bradley and Tommy Johnston filled out the podium places.

Herron Wins Title At Outstanding Tullyroan Vans

An action packed afternoon at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday January 4th heralded in 2025 in some style. The huge crowd on hand were treated to some fantastic racing and wrecking, with the Big Van Bangers taking all the headlines. Lisburn’s Rodney Herron won the feature event, Van-dalism 2025, whilst in the exciting 1600 Rookie Bangers Steven Bolton came through to win the New Year Challenge.
In the non contact divisions, the Stock Rods final went to Randalstown’s Sam McNeice, the 2.0 Hot Rods were won by Kells driver Shane McMillan and long distance traveller Keith Kirwan from County Tipperary won the Lightning Rods feature race.

A record entry of almost 30 Big Van Bangers came to grid for the Van-dalism 2025 title race, and the action didn’t take long in coming as big hits went in all around the track. Dave Haugh hit the front, but he was taken out by arch rival Stevo McGrath in his he camper van. The action continued apace, with Grandpa Rodney Herron storming through the chaos to take the chequered flag and the trophy ahead of Paul Gaffney and Alan Haugh. These were the only three finishers in what was a brutal race.
The carnage continued in the first Allcomers event with some more big crashes. Matthew Nicholl spent most of the event in the lead before he was taken out, and then Gordy McKee came a cropper trying to find a way through a turn two blockage. That left Leonard Dunn as the only finisher having dished out a number of huge hits.
McKee bounced back to win the second Allcomers event, before he fought out the Destruction Derby with Dunn in a David v Goliath contest. Dunn got the verdict and the win, and he also took a well deserved Entertainer of the Day award. The Best Wreck trophy went to Tony Gillespie for his totally destroyed minibus.

Over thirty 1600 Rookie Bangers took the first green flag of 2025, with Brendan Doherty leading until he was overhauled by William McFaul. McFaul took the flag but was docked by the Race Stewards for jumping a restart, which handed victory to former World Banger Champion Steven Bolton. Heat two saw McFaul make amends as he took the victory, with Bolton second this time ahead of Marc Morrell.
The final was another excellent affair, with Bolton quickly going ahead as he battled with Ryan Nixon and Morrell. Steven survived a mid race stoppage for a big back straight crash, continuing to hold off former World title holder John Goligher to take the win. McFaul had to be content with third this time.

A number of Tipperary Raceway visitors bolstered the Stock Rods field to over 20 cars, with Samuel Murphy taking a welcome flag to flag win in the opener ahead of Sam McNeice and Declan O’Connor. Young gun O’Connor took the win in heat two after a great dice with Murphy, with Callum Magill this time in third.
The final saw some great racing from the packed field under the floodlights, with O’Connor settling into the top spot but with McNeice chasing him down. They swapped places late on before McNeice stamped his authority on the battle to take a stylish victory ahead of O’Connor and Darragh O’Shea.

Andy Best took a brace of heat wins in the 2.0 Hot Rods, heading home Ally Neill and Jordan Rochford in the first heat before Shane McMillan and Adam Weir were his placemen in heat two.
A promotion to the star grade was always going to slow Best’s progress in the final, but he was again on form as he chased after long time leader McMillan. Best came up short though, with McMillan taking his maiden feature race win in the formula after a steady drive in the tricky conditions. Best was demoted two places for jumping the start, which elevated the fast finishing Rochford to second ahead of World and National Champion Adam Heatrick.

Rounding off the programme were the Lightning Rods, with Irish Champion Ross Houston winning the opener after a storming drive on the outside line to win over Ian MCCune and Nigel Jackson. Heat two went the way of World Cup Champion Stuart Agnew ahead of Jackson and Keith Kirwan.
Kirwan, from Cashel in County Tipperary, was a man on a mission in the final, revelling in the conditions to build a healthy lead. He took the victory with ease, leading home Jackson and the impressive McCune for a very popular win.

Smashing Into 2025 At Tullyroan Oval

The 2025 season at Tullyroan Oval quite literally starts with a bang on Saturday January 4th, with some huge fields of Bangers set to entertain the fans. Heading the programme is the annual Big Van Bangers Van-dalism event, alongside the 1600 Rookie Bangers who contest their New Year Challenge.

Big Van Bangers
25 Big Van Bangers are booked to appear for the ‘Van-dalism 2025’ title race, where the drivers will destroy their mounts in the chase for the honours. As usual the Ford Transit will be the weapon of choice for many, but each year we see some amazing entries from the drivers. We’ve had ambulances, ice cream vans, mini-buses and motorhomes in the past – what will drivers have in store this year?

Former National Bangers World Champion Stevo McGrath is always one to watch and he regularly entertains at this fixture, whilst Loughgall’s Jonny Murdock and
Donemana’s Leonard Dunn will be others in the midst of the carnage. Last year's winner David Gurney returns to defend his title, and reigning Irish Banger Champion Kieran Bowman from England is another scheduled to appear. The action and crashes will come thick and fast!

1600 Rookie Bangers
Also in action will be the 1600 Rookie Bangers, a formula dominated by the Vauxhall Astra and Ford Focus. Recently crowned World Champion Lucas Goligher from Limavady tops the entry which will see well in excess of 30 cars on track. Lucas is sure to receive a great welcome home following his big win back in November at Ipswich. Irish Champion Stephen Boyd, Josh and John Goligher and Phillip Farrell will be others chasing the silverware in this exciting formula.

Support Racing
There is plenty of support racing during the afternoon, with the 2.0 Hot Rods, Stock Rods and Lightning Rods all in action. There will be a host of Tipperary Raceway visitors in the Stock Rods including Eoghan Burke, Ronan O'Brien, Milly O'Sullivan and Tom Meenehan, whilst Keith Kirwan makes the journey north in the Lightning Rods.

The first race leaves the Tullyroan Oval grid at 2pm.

Murray In A Hurry At Aghadowey Festive Cracker

Galgorm’s Shane Murray was on top form at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday December 28th, racing home to the final win in the headlining National Hot Rods division in his Murrays of Randalstown-sponsored Ginetta. On a day of big entries and great racing, young English visitor George Cooper won the Ninja Karts Stars of Tomorrow Challenge after an incredible 36 car final!
Other feature winners were Portadown duo Steven Haugh (Superstox) and Jack Morrison (Junior Productions), whilst Coleraine’s Mark McLaughlin won a frantic Thunder Rods final. The afternoon was completed by an excellent Ladies Only Caravan Destruction Derby that was won by Lexi Crooks.

The National Hot Rods were contesting Round 7 of World Series NI, and in a very slippery opening heat it was European Champion Adam Maxwell who powered through to take the win ahead of Ahoghill’s Philip McCloy and Nigel McCauley. Heat two saw Phil McCloy again setting the pace for much of the distance, before he was overhauled in the closing stages by Cork star Ian Riordan. As Ian celebrated his win, Scotland’s James Mooney and Gary Woolsey filled the places.
The final was an excellent race, with Garvagh’s Johnny McCloy this time breaking clear out front early on. He looked like he might just hold on all the way home, until he was caught out by the conditions and spun aside from the lead. Shane Murray got the run on McCauley in the aftermath of McCloy’s demise to hit the front, and he came home for a great win ahead of the Riordan brothers, series leader Jeff and Ian.

A huge entry of Ninja Karts from all across the British Isles arrived to contest the Stars of Tomorrow Challenge. Each of the three heats featured two thirds of the entry, with the opener falling to Loanends driver William Brown after a great drive ahead of Norfolk’s Thomas Cooper and West Midlands based British Champion Jaxon York.
Heat Two saw a win for England as Dolly Rae Keenan took the win ahead of Hampshire’s European Champion Charlie Weston and Jack Murphy, whilst Weston (in his last ever Ninja Kart meeting before hitting the age limit) then won heat three ahead of English Champion Mason Carberry and George Cooper.
The final saw a packed track as the young stars lined up in points order. Weston immediately went ahead until he was tipped into a spin mid-race by Murphy, which caused a race stoppage and earned the local driver a disqualification. On the restart there was a great battle for the lead all the way to the flag, with Norfolk’s George Cooper taking the win in style over York and his brother Thomas Cooper. Parker Smith made it an all-English top four, with World Champion Lewis Hazlett the first local home in fifth.

A healthy field of Superstox came to grid, with Neil Hyndman getting the better of his brother Gregg to win the opening heat, before Troy Crawford took a welcome win in heat two ahead of World Champion Jordan Robinson and Jamie McCann. The star grade battles had been superb all day, and in the final it was NI Points Champion Steven Haugh who broke clear, running down long time leader Gerard Hartley to take the win. Kyle Beattie and McCann filled the podium slots.

Portadown’s Ryan Jackson was the star turn of the Junior Productions heats, the teenager grabbing both wins in great fashion. In the opener he held off Andrew Russell and Leyton Hughes, before leading home Jack Morrison and Hughes in heat two.
An automatic upgrade for the final for Jackson allowed Owen O’Brien to set the pace out front until he lost out to Morrison. Ryan Berry then surged past to the lead, but despite taking the chequered flag he was docked by the Race Stewards for contact earlier in the race. That elevated Morrison to the win ahead of Russell and Hughes.

The Thunder Rods fielded a great grid of cars for an out of season meeting, and they produced some outstanding racing all afternoon. Ballymena’s Tyler McMaster took a clear win in the opening heat over Mark McLaughlin and Liam Wilson, before Liam Wilson took the honours in heat two after passing long time leader Liam Irwin. Nolan Wilson and McLaughlin filled the places.
The final was led for much of the distance by the impressive Jordan McFetridge, before McLaughlin went past with five to go to take the win. Joshua McMullan made a great effort for the lead over the closing laps but had to be content with runner up spot ahead of Norman Purdy.

Four ladies braved the challenge of the Caravan Destruction Derby. Lauren McCloy, Lesley-Ann McConnell, Lexi Crooks and Terri Murphy entertained in great style as they battled hard and blitzed through the caravans. In the end the last one moving was the impressive Lexi Crooks and she took the chequered flag and the winners trophy.

Goldie Secures Third Irish Title At Aghadowey Finale

Ballymena driver James Goldie drove a fantastic race at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday evening to claim his third Irish Championship title in the Thunder Rods formula. Dungannon’s Derek Martin claimed victory in the National Hot Rods final for the Richard Turtle Memorial Cup, whilst Cullybackey’s Curtis Greer was crowned King of Aghadowey in the 1300 Stock Cars. The other feature race winners were Randalstown’s Sam McNeice (Stock Rods) and Portadown’s Jack Morrison in the Junior Productions.

Lined up in points order from throughout the season, David Reynolds and James Goldie shared the front row for the Thunder Rods Irish Championship. Goldie just got the jump when the green flag came out to lead them away, as it all kicked off behind with two pre-race favourites in Reynolds and Daniel Rodgers finding themselves on the sidelines with barely a lap done. Goldie controlled the race from the front, and even with Jason Darragh filling his mirrors late on, James sped home to successfully defend his Irish title. Darragh was a gallant runner up, with Neil Capper next home after a number of penalties were handed down for technical issues at post race scrutineering.
The reverse grid Irish Revenge race saw a popular win for Graham Young, and afterwards Reynolds was also presented with his NI Points Championship Trophy. This also earned him the William Bradley Perpetual Cup and a cash bonus from championship sponsor William, a big race fan who has missed just two race meetings at Aghadowey since it opened in 1971.

The opening National Hot Rods heat was a superb race, with Jordan McCann just holding off an onslaught from Allen Cherry and Dean McCrory to take the win. McCann was again the winner of heat two, this time ahead of former World Champion Derek Martin and McCrory.
The final, Round six of World Series NI and the Richard Turtle Memorial Cup, saw Martin quickly demote McCann to hit the front but he soon had a posse chasing him down. McCrory and Adam Maxwell gave it their all to get past, but Derek held resolute to take the flag and the silverware. McCrory, Jeff Riordan, Cherry and Shane Murray filled out the places.

Although down in numbers, the 1300 Stock Cars were as hard hitting as ever. Returnee Bradley Woods took the opening heat win ahead of Curtis Greer and Graham Meek, before usual Stock Rod pilot Joe Largey raced through to win heat two ahead of Woods and Jon McQuillan.
The King of Aghadowey final paired Woods and Greer at the front of the grid, and the opening laps saw some excellent stock car action as they, along with Largey, traded blows and places lap after lap. Greer eventually got the break to take the win over Woods and Largey.

The Stocks Rods provided close and competitive racing all evening, with Sam Wilson just holding off Sam McNeice and Callum Magill to win the first heat. Magill then improved in heat two, taking a clear victory over Darragh O’Shea and McNeice.
Samuel Murphy set the pace early in the final, before McNeice made his move just before half distance. Sam powered clear to take the chequered flag ahead of Murphy and Mark Foster.

There was a great battle at the head of the field in the opening Junior Productions heat, with Jamie Hadden just getting the verdict ahead of Andrew Hawe. Heat two saw a great drive from the star grade for Callum Doak, as he raced past Hawe and Charlie Johnston to win ahead of Leyton Hughes and Harry Minish.
The final was another super race, with a three way battle for the lead late on between Hawe, Ryan Jackson and Jack Morrison. Jackson looked to have the run on Hawe for the lead, only for the two to clash which opened the door for Morrison to race through for a very popular victory indeed. Jackson held on for second ahead of Alfie Litter in third.

Irish Titles For McKeown, Bowman and Houston At Tullyroan

A fantastic last meeting of the season at a packed Tullyroan Oval served up some great entertainment. There were three Irish Championship titles on the line, which fell the way of Bleary’s Drew McKeown (2.0 Hot Rods), England’s Kieran Bowman (Unlimited National Bangers) and Waringstown’s Ross Houston (Lightning Rods). In the other formulas on show, James McCann from Loughgall picked up both the meeting final and the Spedeworth TV/NIOvalTV Series spoils in the Superstox, whilst Enniskillen’s Stevie McNiece emerged victorious in the Stock Rods.
2.0 Hot Rods
Jordan Rochford and Drew McKeown headed a star studded field of 2.0 Hot Rods for their Irish Championship in wet conditions. McKeown got the drive from the wide outside line at the start to quickly move ahead. As Drew extended his lead, a great scrap for second developed between defending Champion Conor Hughes and Wayne Woolsey. The race was all about McKeown though, as he revelled in the difficult conditions to take a commanding Irish title victory ahead of Woolsey, with Rochford inheriting third after Hughes was docked two places for contact.

The reversed grid Irish Revenge race saw Aaron Stewart impress on his way to victory ahead of McKeown and Rochford.
Unlimited National Bangers
A welcome resurgence in the local National Bangers scene saw 26 cars come to grid for the Irish Championship. The action came thick and fast, as Dave Haugh hit the front with Kieran Bowman and Gordy McKee giving chase. Defending champion Stevo McGrath tried to remove Haugh on a number of occasions and then held him up long enough to allow Bowman through to snatch the Irish title win. Kieran added the Irish spoils to his Shamwreck crown from earlier in the season, with Haugh and McKee completing the podium. The race will long be remembered for a huge shot by Marty McKiernan on Tony Gillespie’s Limo on the Tullyroan Bend.
McKiernan was again well involved in the action in the first Allcomers race, with McKee taking the win over Haugh in this one.
The second Allcomers race was another cracker, with McKee ahead until he was spun aside by Bowman on the final bend, with Kieran taking the win over Haugh and the recovered McKee. The Stephen Bannon Memorial Destruction Derby saw a great event boil down to just Haugh and McKiernan left, with Haugh the last man moving to take the coveted trophy. McKiernan deservedly took the Entertainer of the Day award.

Ross Houston and James McKinney battled hard at the start of the Lightning Rods Irish Championship, before Houston edged clear and Stuart Agnew stepped forward to challenge McKinney. Houston was well clear by now and took a fine Irish Championship win ahead of Agnew, McKinney and Conor Doherty.
The Irish Revenge race saw Agnew just hold on for the win ahead of the flying Nigel Jackson, with Houston and McKinney next home.
Superstox
Steven Haugh led much of the opening Superstox heat before being nudged wide on the last bend by Jordan Robinson, as Jordan powered through to take the win in a repeat of the epic finish to the recent Irish Championship. From then on the night belonged to Jamie McCann, as he got the better of a great heat two battle with Robinson and Haugh to take a great win.

The meeting final saw Haugh lead once again, only for McCann this time to pounce late on to snatch a last gasp victory, with Haugh, Robinson and Dean Catherwood filling out the places. The short, sharp Spedeworth TVNIOvalTV Series ShootOut Final then saw Haugh and McCann battle once again, with Jamie taking the win over Haugh and Catherwood, with all three receiving vouchers courtesy of the series sponsors.
Stock Rods
Rounding off the programme were the Stock Rods, where Samuel Murphy took a deserved win in the opening heat over Callum Magill and Siobhan Martin, before Joe Largey enjoyed the tricky conditions to take heat two ahead of Magill and Sam McNeice.
The final was another tremendous race, with Murphy leading early on until reeled in and overhauled by the rapid Stevie McNiece. As Stevie took the win and the trophy, the impressive Victor McAfee, Sam McNeice and Martin chased him home.

World Champions To The Fore At Aghadowey

Two Irish Championship showdowns topped the programme at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday night, October 12th, with two local World Champions coming through to lift the Irish title honours. Portadown’s Jordan Robinson took the Superstox title in an absolutely stunning finish, whilst Ahoghill’s Lewis Hazlett was crowned Irish Champion in the Ninja Karts.
The Hoosier Challenge Series Grand Final for 2.0 Hot Rods fell to Bleary’s Drew McKeown who went through the night’s card unbeaten, whilst Drogheda’s Fionn Donnelly won an exciting 1300 Stock Cars Ulster Championship. World Cup holder Stuart Agnew was victorious in the Lightning Rods final, whilst there was a maiden victory for Castlerock’s Alex Mailey in the Thunder Rods.

Steven Haugh and Lee Davison shared the front row for the Superstox Irish Championship, and at the second time of asking it was Davison who powered ahead from Jamie McCann early on. Just as it looked like it was all sewn up for Davison, he clashed with the backmarking Neil Hyndman, sending the leader spinning down the order!
Haugh sensationally now hit the front, but World Champ Jordan Robinson was now chasing him down having dropped to almost last off the line with some kind of issue. Jordan edged closer, until he was within striking distance of Haugh on the last lap. With a backmarker in the mix, both cars half spun and headed to the wall on the final bend as Robinson launched his attack. The crowd held their breath as the two recovered, with Robinson winning the drag race to the line by inches in a sensational finish! Haugh was a very worthy runner up ahead of McCann and the recovering Davison.

First white or yellow grade finisher Davy Clarke received a cash prize from Pit Marshal Ian McClelland, before McCann then went on to win the Irish Revenge race ahead of Hyndman and Haugh.

Ollie Williamson got the drop at the start of the Ninja Karts Irish Championship, a race which was staged in torrential rain. Ollie led Jack Murphy, but World Champion Lewis Hazlett was quickly into his stride and he powered past them to take up the running and claim another major title to add to the World, National and NI Points Championships that he has already won this season. Murphy drove a great race for second, ahead of a fine run from Austin Grattan in third. Tommy Johnston and Keegan Turtle were next home.
Cahan Bradley and Grattan had spells out front in the reversed grid Irish Revenge race, but once again Hazlett came through with a late surge to win ahead of Grattan and Murphy.

A smaller than usual field of 2.0 Hot Rods were on hand, with Drew McKeown making the most of the poor conditions to run down Ally Neill and go on to win the opening heat ahead of Wayne Woolsey. Drew repeated the feat in the second heat, winning with ease again ahead of Aaron Stewart.
The Grand Final of the Hoosier Challenge Series then saw the cars gridded on aggregate points order from the series. McKeown really had his car dialled in perfectly to the slippery conditions, winning from pole position at a breeze ahead of Jordan Rochford and Woolsey. The top three all received race tyres and trophies courtesy of series sponsors Hoosier Tyres UK.

There was a clear win for National Champion Robbie Wright in the opening heat of the 1300 Stock Cars, as he took the flag ahead of Curtis Greer and Josh McKinstry. The second heat was action packed too as Greer and Wright had a major falling out, with Gareth Halliday taking the win on the road but copping a penalty for a jump start. That gifted the win to Fionn Donnelly ahead of McKinstry.

The Ulster Championship final started in explosive fashion, with Wright putting Greer away in no uncertain terms on the Brown Trout Bend. Up front Donnelly was revelling in the conditions, taking the Ulster title win ahead of Halliday and McKinstry.

The opening Thunder Rods heat fell to Joshua McMullan after a fine drive ahead of Robert Nicholl and Nolan Wilson. Wilson then led heat two before James Steele powered ahead to take the victory over newcomer Keatyn Hogg and a flying Daniel Rodgers.

The final was all about Alex Mailey, the novice grader quickly disappearing into the distance to take an impressive win over Liam Wilson and Rodgers. Despite the best efforts of Rodgers and James Goldie, Ballymena racer David Reynolds was able to hang on to win the season long NI Points Championship.

Strabane’s James McKinney drove a storming race on the outside line to win the opening Lightning Rods heat from World Cup holder Stuart Agnew and Ross Houston. McKinney then repeated the dose in heat two, taking another great win once again ahead of Agnew and Houston.

Agnew got the early break in the feature race, and that was enough for him to take the silverware home to Magheralin. Houston, McKinney and Mark Corry filled out the places.

Irish Title Glory for Hughes and Crawford

Championship nights at Tullyroan Oval always produce some sensational racing, and last Saturday (October 5th) was no exception. Nutts Corner driver Mark Crawford claimed the Stock Rods Irish Championship title whilst the Junior Productions Irish title went the way of Antrim’s Leyton Hughes. Cork’s Ian Riordan claimed the spoils in National Hot Rods World Series NI Round 5, whilst Ballymena’s Shane Murray took their Ulster Championship.
The Ninja Karts Champion of Champions fell to Hampshire’s European Champion Charlie Weston, whilst Birches ace Lee Davison completed a heat and final double in the Superstox.

The Stock Rods Irish Championship was lined up in points scoring order from across the season, and pole sitter Dan Shannon took up the running ahead of Jonny Cardwell and Mark Crawford. Shannon threatened to edge clear but just couldn’t break free from his rivals. The top two then clashed into turn one, a mistake from the leader then seeing him bundled wide and out of contention.
Following a lengthy Stewards Enquiry, on the road winner Cardwell was demoted to third for his part in Shannon’s demise, which elevated a delighted Crawford to become Irish Champion. Stevie McNeice was a gallant runner up ahead of Cardwell in third.
The Irish Revenge reverse grid race saw a clear win for Siobhan Martin ahead of Mark Foster and Samuel Murphy.

There were National Hot Rods World Series NI debuts for Allen Cherry and James Ginty, as Derek McMillan celebrated his recent return to action with a great win over Ian Riordan in heat one. Riordan then stepped up to the mark, taking heat two ahead of his brother Jeff Riordan for a family one-two. Ian then stamped his authority all over the final too, winning ahead of McMillan and Nigel McCauley.
The night finished with the 2024 Ulster Championship, lined up on lap times from the meeting. Front row starters Jeff Riordan and Shane Murray jousted throughout the event, which included a competition caution and a two-wide restart at five laps to go. Murray got the nod to win ahead of J Riordan and I Riordan.

The Junior Productions contested their biggest event of the domestic calendar, the Irish Championship. Leyton Hughes and Callum Doak shared the front row ahead of defending champion Matthew Weir and Andrew Russell. Hughes made the perfect start and began to edge clear but Doak kept him honest all the way through the race. Callum could never get just close enough to mount a challenge, and after driving the perfect race Leyton raced home to the double chequered flags and the Irish Championship title. Doak, Weir, Ryan Berry and Dylan Fegan completed the top finishers.
The reverse grid Irish Revenge race saw British Champion Casey Cherry first home but he was docked for contact, handing the win to recent form man Alfie Litter ahead of Doak and Cherry.

The opening race for the Ninja Karts was the Hollytree Rare Breeds Farm Individual Achievement Award for those drivers who haven’t won a race in 2024. Tommy Johnston hit the front but was overhauled for the win in the closing stages by a flying Rowdy Grattan. Johnston, Eddie Fowler and Cahan Bradley were next home.
A number of visitors from across the UK then joined in for the 2024 Champion of Champions event, with European Champion Charlie Weston winning the opening qualifier ahead of Mason Carberry and Parker Smith for an all-English top three. Belfast’s Ethan McQuillan restored home honour with a great victory after a fine drive in heat two, ahead of World Champion Lewis Hazlett and Austin Grattan for an all-Ulster top three!
The Hollytree Rare Breeds Farm Champion of Champions final saw Weston quickly hit the front and he drove a commanding race to take a great victory. A storming places battle fell to Austin Grattan ahead of McQuillan and Jack Murphy.

The evening’s contact racing was provided by the Superstox, with Brian Lammey and Ethan Martin contesting the lead of the opening heat before Jamie McCann powered through to win over Lee Davison and Martin. Heat two saw Davison go one better with the win this time, ahead of Jordan Robinson and McCann. The final again saw Martin lead the way until Irish Champion Davison moved ahead to complete his double for the night ahead of Robinson and McCann