Hot Rod Heaven Comes To Tullyroan Oval

Oval racing fans are in for an absolute blockbuster this weekend as Tullyroan Oval plays host to the ultimate showcase of non-contact racing - Hot Rod Heaven! All five of Northern Ireland’s premier adult non-contact formulas will share the same star-studded bill under the spectacular Saturday night Tullyroan floodlights.

National Hot Rods
The pinnacle of oval racing takes centre stage, and all eyes will be on the man of the moment, Glenn Bell. The defending Ulster Champion returns to the scene of his magnificent British Championship triumph just two weeks ago. Currently holding both the British and World titles, Bell is at the absolute top of his game, but the chasing pack is ruthless.
Expect lightning fast speeds under the floodlights as former World Champions John Christie and the ever-rapid Derek Martin mount serious challenges. Adding to the classy grid are Shane Murray, Drew McKeown, and the Cork-based brother duo of Jeff and Ian Riordan.

Lightning Rods
The BMW-dominated Lightning Rods battle it out for the coveted Irish Championship, with the grid decided entirely on points scored throughout the 2026 season. Tension is already high on the front row as Ballymena pair Mark McBurney and Conor Doherty finished the qualifying campaign tied on points, meaning a coin toss will dramatically decide who gets pole position!
Right behind them on row two sits Portadown ace Nigel Jackson. Jackson is the undisputed form driver, having captured the massive World Cup title two weeks ago before following it up with the NI Open. He remains the car to watch. Keep an eye on rising stars Duane Wheelan and Tom Hewitt from rows two and three, as well as defending Irish Champion Ross Houston who will be charging hard from further down the grid.

2.0 Hot Rods
The 2.0 Hot Rods always excel at the banked Tullyroan venue, and the usual big grid promises spectacular bumper-to-bumper racing. The entry list boasts an incredible array of champions, all hailing from Portadown. Current World Champion Adam Hylands, teenage sensation and British Champion Callum Doak, and the highly experienced Irish Champion Jordan Rochford are all set to lock horns in what is guaranteed to be a masterclass of close racing.

Stock Rods
The front-wheel-drive Vauxhall formula brings its signature close-quarters racing to the bill. Randalstown's European Champion Sam McNeice leads a stacked field. Jonny Cardwell and lady racer Siobhan Martin both showed blistering pace at the last meeting and will look to carry that momentum forward. They will face stiff competition from veteran aces Stevie McNiece and Victor McAfee, alongside Armagh’s Mark Foster and Scarva’s impressive teenager Harry Minish.

Thunder Rods
As the entry-level Vauxhall Astra class, the Thunder Rods always deliver massive grids where virtually nothing separates the field. The battle at the front of the NI Points Championship resumes as current leader Liam Wilson tries to fend off the defending points champion and reigning Irish Champion, James Goldie. With spoilers like Jordan Nicholl, Jason Darragh, and Adam McKinney in the mix, the race for the Tullyroan Challenge Cup is completely wide open.

With five top-tier formulas, multiple championships on the line, and the unique atmosphere of night racing under the floodlights, this meeting is an absolute must for any non-contact oval racing fan. The action fires up at 6.30pm this Saturday—make sure you are trackside!

Added 30/09/2026