Back On Form Christie Nets Aghadowey Final Win

Former World Champion and crowd favourite John Christie from Crumlin bounced right back to form at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday night, August 22nd, when he won the National Hot Rods Final. On a night of blistering action, Cullybackey’s Curtis Greer and Glenavy’s Jonny Cardwell were both crowned King of Aghadowey in the 1400 Stock Cars and Stock Rods respectively.
In the other formulas, Kilrea’s Joshua McMullan grabbed victory in the frantic Thunder Rods whilst Belfast’s Harry Hoy took the honours in the Ninja Karts.

National Hot Rods
Another pleasing entry of National Hot Rods were on hand for the second round of World Series NI, with the heats being all about Gilford driver Nigel McCauley. He took the opener from Simon Kennedy and Dean McCrory, before repeating the feat in heat two to just hold off Allen Cherry and the impressive John Christie.
McCauley again led the final for the first third of the race, but had the pack right on his case in this one. Kennedy and Cherry were in close attendance, but Christie soon arrived as the first star grader to show. John wasted little time in hitting the outside line, clearing the others with ease to race off into the distance. He won by almost half a lap in the end such was his dominance, with McCrory coming through for second ahead of World Champion Glenn Bell, Shane Murray and Derek Martin.

Stock Rods
The Stock Rods produced close and competitive racing all evening, with Randalstown’s European Champion Sam McNeice taking the opener with ease from pole position ahead of Stevie McNiece, who had got the better of a big places battle. Heat two saw a win for Darragh O’Shea after he successfully held Jonny Cardwell at bay for the duration.
The King of Aghadowey final saw Cardwell edge clear early on from pole. At half distance Sam McNeice squeezed past his near-namesake Stevie McNiece for second, but despite heaping loads of pressure on the leader it was Cardwell who held on to take a deserved victory. McNeice, Mark Foster and Harry Minish completed the places. 1400 Stock Cars
Curtis McConkey and Fionn Donnelly had a great battle out front in the opening 1400 Stock Cars heat, before a caution was called when Michael Logan rolled on the back straight. Thankfully Michael was fine, and after a big battle on the restart it was Graham Meek who won from Willie Taggart and Gary Freeburn. Geoff Hurst and Freeburn had spells ahead in heat two, before a repaired Logan sensationally went ahead. But they had no answer to Curtis Greer, as the Irish Champion punted Freeburn and Logan wide in one superb move to land the win.
The King of Aghadowey final was a stunning race from start to finish. Greer and Meek battled hard for the lead before Greer pulled clear to take the honours. But behind him a titanic battle between eight cars was in full flow. Bumpers and places were exchanged on each and every bend, with Logan coming out on top to take the runner up position behind runaway winner Greer. Freeburn, McConkey and Meek were next home.

Thunder Rods
Big grids and big action is the name of the game in the Thunder Rods formula, and they once again produced the goods all evening. Sam Dougherty took a clear heat one win over Brian Hutton, before heat two went to James Steele after a fantastic outside line run from fourth to first. Mark Dunlop and Brandon Kernohan completed the top three.
The final saw Kernohan and Dunlop have spells ahead, but this time in was Joshua McMullan who came on strong late on, taking the win ahead of his brother Jason McMullan with Dunlop and Liam Wilson next home.

Ninja Karts
The young aces in the Ninja Karts were on top form, with the opening heat falling to novice Joey Henderson after a very good drive. Harry Hoy and Jonathan Brown were next home. Irish Champion Jack Murphy made good use of a caution period in heat two to race to the win, having started right at the rear of the line up. He won ahead of Luke Grattan and Jaxon Cairns.
The final was another thrilling race, with Brown getting out front before getting caught up with others in the packed field. Hoy then raced clear, but despite Murphy coming on strong late on Harry had more than enough in hand to take his first ever feature race win. Murphy, Grattan and Brown completed the top four.

Added 24/08/2026