Big Night Of Oval Racing at Aghadowey Oval

A big night of short oval action awaits at Aghadowey Oval this Saturday, 6.30pm start, with major titles, points championship battles and visiting stars all converging for what promises to be an excellent meeting.

2.0 Hot Rods – King of Aghadowey
The spotlight will shine brightly on the 2.0 Hot Rods, where defending King of Aghadowey Jordan Rochford aims to keep his crown firmly in place. Rochford has been in strong form all season, but he’ll face fierce opposition from every corner of the grid.
Michael Woods, fresh from a superb victory last time out, arrives with momentum on his side and a real belief that he can topple the champion. Add in the presence of British and Internations Cup Champion Conor Hughes, and the battle for the title becomes even more intense.
This meeting also marks the final round of the 2025/26 NI Points Championship, with several drivers still fighting for crucial positions in the scramble for World Championship places at Ipswich. Every lap will matter, and every mistake could prove costly.

Lightning Rods – King of Aghadowey
The Lightning Rods should field three major champions in the chase the King of Aghadowey crown.
NI Points Champion Nigel Jackson brings consistency and experience, while Irish Champion Ross Houston arrives with the kind of pace that makes him a constant threat around Aghadowey. Completing the trio is World Cup Champion Mark Corry, whose calculated style has earned him success over the past year. With this calibre of talent on track, the Lightning Rods title race promises to be fast, physical and fiercely contested.

Stock Rods
The Stock Rods return for their final Aghadowey outing before next month’s British Championship, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Reigning British Champion Siobhan Martin will be keen to lay down a marker ahead of her title defence, while Sam Wilson, winner last time out, will be hoping to continue his excellent run of form.
Adding extra spice to the grid are two high profile visitors from Tipperary — European Champion Dan Shannon and Owen O’Brien — both of whom are more than capable of upsetting the local favourites. Expect tight, tactical racing where track position and patience will be key.

Superstox
The Superstox are set to deliver their usual mix of speed, skill and bumper bashing drama. Troy Crawford, unbeaten last time out, will be aiming to extend his winning streak, but he won’t have it easy. World Champion Steven Haugh is determined to get back to winning ways, and his gold roof alone makes him a marked man.
Adding even more intrigue is the return of British and Irish Champion Jordan Robinson, who missed the last meeting but remains one of the biggest threats in the formula. With major champions on track, this could be an outstanding encounter.

Thunder Rods
The Thunder Rods never fail to entertain, and Saturday’s line up promises another evening of close, hard fought racing. Adam McKinney, fresh from winning the DMC Gold Cup, will be one of the favourites, while Liam Wilson arrives leading the NI Points Championship and looking to strengthen his position.
Recent King of Aghadowey winner Nolan Wilson will be hoping to repeat his shock triumph, while reigning Irish Champion and NI Points Champion James Goldie remains the benchmark for anyone with ambitions of taking the chequered flag.
With so many in form drivers, predicting a winner is almost impossible — exactly how Thunder Rods racing should be.

Added 10/06/2026

Former World Champions McGrath and Bolton Star At Tullyroan

Two former National Banger World Champions were the stars of the show at Tullyroan Oval on Sunday, June 7th on an afternoon of top class international race action. In the Unlimited National Bangers, Dublin’s Stevo McGrath finally got his hands on the Shamwreck title after a fine drive, whilst Ballymoney’s Steven Bolton took a simply superb win in the 1600 Bangers Irish Open Championship.
Richhill’s Jack Murphy won a well subscribed Ninja Karts Golden Helmet Award, whilst the other feature race wins went to Limavady debutant Luke Goligher (Junior Productions) and Aaron Rogers from Dundalk (Lightning Rods).

The first race for the Unlimited National Bangers was the coveted Shamwreck 2026 race, with Gordy McKee the early leader until a stoppage for a loose wheel on track. At the resumption a puncture thwarted McKee’s progress, allowing Stevo McGrath to power through to win the Shamwreck title ahead of his nephew Deano McGrath, with Steven Reynolds in third for an all-Dublin top three.
The Allcomers race saw a huge wreck for Leonard Dunn after he was smashed up by Mark Hughes, with McKee getting the win this time ahead of Stevo McGrath and Paul Compelli. The Showdown race completed proceedings, with Stevo taking another win ahead of Reynolds and Compelli. The race finished with some huge hits on the Annaghmore Bend to send the fans home happy. Hughes took the honours as Entertainer of the Day with Dunn claiming Best Wreck.

34 cars came under starters orders for the opening 1600 Bangers heat, with England’s Daniel Croskell out front despite a stoppage. Steven Bolton tracked his every move though, and thundered him wide into the final bend to claim a superb victory ahead of Jack Botfield and Andy Farley. Heat two was another action packed encounter, with England’s Charlie Barwell taking the win over Josh Goligher and Luke Farrington.
The final was right from the top drawer, with Barwell ahead from Goligher early on, until Bolton dispatched Goligher superbly into a parked car to take up second. Steven and Alan Haugh then went past Barwell, and nudged each other back and forth as they swapped the lead. Bolton was ahead on the final lap, and just overcame a last bend assault from Haugh to take the flag in fantastic style. Haugh was a gallant runner up for the second event in a row, ahead of Barwell, Stephen Boyd and Farrington. A full field of Ninja Karts from across the British Isles required split qualifying heats, and they fell to Richhill’s Jack Murphy, Magherafelt’s Jordan Davis and Ballymena’s Matthew McNeill. The Golden Helmet final saw a huge field on track, with England’s Johnny Wheeler disputing the early lead with McNeill, until Murphy arrived to challenge. Jack swooped past to take the honours after a great drive, with East Anglian’s George Cooper and Mason Carberry completing the top three.

The opening Lightning Rods heats saw a sublime wet weather performance by Andrew Woods as he took a great win over Irish Champion Ross Houston, with Mark McBurney then taking heat two ahead of Conor Doherty.
The feature race saw Dundalk driver Aaron Rogers set the pace out front, with McBurney and Doherty chasing him down in the closing stages. Aaron was equal to them all though, holding his nerve to keep them at bay and record his first ever victory in the formula in some style. McBurney, Doherty and Stuart Agnew followed Aaron home.

The Junior Productions were joined by welcome Scottish visitors Nicole Innes and Adam Donnelly, but it was king of the scene Leyton Hughes who dominated the dry first heat to win from Casey Cherry and Noah Teggart. Heat two saw a runaway victory in the wet by newcomer Luke Goligher, as he impressed with a runaway victory over Donnelly and Cherry.
The final was once again all about novice Goligher, and he showed great car control to edge further and further clear. Luke took his second win of the day in some style to end a dream debut meeting, with Jack Morrison and Jake Barnett next home.

Added 08/06/2026

Coveney Hangs On To Lift European Title

Englishman Jack Coveney made the long trip from London worthwhile when he won the 1600 Bangers European Championship at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday evening, June 6th. Portadown’s Alan Haugh tried his best on the last bend to unseat Coveney, but he had to settle for second.
In the other formulas in action, Strabane’s Adam McKinney won the DMC Gold Cup for Thunder Rods, with the other feature race wins falling to Nutts Corner driver Michael Woods (2.0 Hot Rods), Antrim’s Thomas McCrory (1400 Stock Cars) whilst Garvagh’s Troy Crawford took a faultless hat-trick in the Superstox.

A field of almost forty 1600 Bangers, including numerous cross-channel visitors, arrived to chase the European Championship, and with it an automatic entry into the World Final later in the year at Ipswich. Local star Josh Goligher showed his hand first with a fine heat one win ahead of Steven Bolton, before an action packed second heat fell to England’s Luke Farrington with Bolton again in second spot after early leader Jack Botfield found himself hard in the turn three wall. The final qualifier saw former World Champion John Goligher lead before Jack Coveney took the lead, the Londoner going on to win ahead of Alan Haugh and Daniel Croskell.
The European Championship final saw Coveney set the early pace, stretching out quite an advantage in the opening laps. Alan Haugh worked his way through to second, reducing the leader’s advantage by the lap. In the closing stages he was right with Coveney, but Jack was equal to Alan’s last bend lunge and he held on to take the European title after a fine drive. Portadown’s Haugh took a gallant second, with Ballymoney driver Steven Bolton in third ahead of Steven Haugh and Stephen Boyd.

The opening heat for the 2.0 Hot Rods saw a polished win for Aaron Dilly ahead of Dean McFarland and Ethan Dilly. Heat two saw a shower leave the track very slippery indeed, but Michael Woods revelled in the conditions to take a decisive victory over Aaron Stewart and Conor Hughes.
The final if anything was even more wet, with Woods working his way to the front once again. A mid-race restart saw British and Internations Cup Champion Hughes step forward to challenge, and the two then engaged in a super side-by-side battle for many laps. Just when Hughes thought he had it won, Woods switched back to nip up his inside on the last lap and grab a simply superb victory over Hughes, Callum Doak and James McKinney. The Thunder Rods were competing for the DMC Gold Cup, kindly sponsored by McLaughlin Plumbing & Heating of Coleraine. The opening heat saw a clear win for James Steele, as he broke clear to win over a great battle for second that went the way of Adam McKinney ahead of Mark Mclaughlin and Liam Wilson. The reversed grid second heat saw Norman Purdy flying in the damp conditions, as he took the win over James Goldie and Adam McMullan.
The final was lined up on aggregate points from the heats, and it soon developed into an absolutely fantastic dice between McKinney, Joshua McMullan and Wilson. Little separated them for most of the distance, with McKinney holding resolute on the inside and McMullan spending much of the race of the wide outside line. McKinney didn’t put a foot wrong to take the Gold Cup after a sterling drive, with McMullan great value in second ahead of Wilson, Goldie and Purdy.

The novice grade made a great break at the start of the opening 1400 Stock Cars heat, and it was Lexi Crooks who held on to take a very creditable win. Curtis McConkey and Curtis Greer chased her home, with McConkey spinning over the line. Crooks again led heat two, but this time Matthew Weir managed to forge ahead for the win over Alexander McCreadie.
The final saw plenty of action and bumperwork early on, and it was Thomas McCrory who broke free to edge out an advantage. Thomas controlled the race from there, coming through to take a popular victory ahead of the impressive Chrissy Dempsey and Weir.

A smaller than usual entry of Superstox saw yellow grader Troy Crawford show great pace in heat one, taking the win despite the closing attentions of World Champion Steven Haugh. Crawford again took the heat two honours, this time over the battling pair of Dean Catherwood and Jamie McCann.
An automatic upgrade saw Crawford further back on the grid for the final, but that didn’t deter him at all and he strolled home to another chequered flag to complete a perfect hat-trick for the night. McCann this time got second ahead of Catherwood and Haugh.

Added 08/06/2026

Ian Riordan Roars To Tullyroan Victory

The elite National Hot Rods formula rounded out their 2025/26 season when Round 14 of World Series NI was staged at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday, May 30th. It was Cork driver Ian Riordan who took an impressive final win, whilst another very creditable victory went to Drogheda’s Fionn Donnelly as he won the DMC Gold Cup for 1400 Stock Cars after an exciting battle.
Antrim teenager Leyton Hughes continued his great form with victory in the Tullyroan Challenge Cup for Junior Productions, with the other feature race wins falling to Larne’s Sam Wilson in the Stock Rods and Garvagh’s Dean Catherwood in the Superstox.

An excellent field were on hand for the opening National Hot Rod heat, and it was yellow grader Daby Clarke who showed them all the way home with a popular victory over Carl Sloan and Derek Martin. Heat two was on a very slippery surface with the cars on slick tyres, and it was John Christie who used all his experience to land the win after Clarke was penalised for a wrong starting position. Mark Heatrick inherited second ahead of the demoted Clarke.
The wet final was lined up in series points order, with Christie the first to show before Derek McMillan squeezed down his inside to take up the running. Derek stretched ahead but in the second half of the race Ian Riordan was closing with every lap. There followed an enthralling side-by-side battle, with Riordan just getting edge to race home to a very impressive win. McMillan, Drew McKeown (who spun over the line) and Jeff Riordan completed the places.

As always the 1400 Stock Cars provided top notch entertainment across the night. The first heat fell to Matthew McKinstry after he got past long time leader Lexi Crooks late on, before Matthew Weir was another last gasp winner of heat two after relegating pacesetter Chrissy Dempsey.
The final was a simply sensational race, with Weir clear ahead only for a mid-race caution to bring the field together. From then on it was drama all the way home! Fionn Donnelly went ahead only for Graham Meek to go in with the bumper and take it up. But Donnelly wasn’t done, coming back hard on Meek to snatch back the lead and take an excellent victory. Meek, Weir and Curtis Greer filled out the top four. The Junior Productions were contesting the Tullyroan Challenge Cup, with Rowdy Grattan leading the opening heat before recently crowned double National Champion Leyton Hughes powered through to win, smashing the lap record in the process. Jack Morrison and Noah Teggart completed the top three. Austin Grattan led the early stages of heat two, before Jake Barnett stormed through for the win over Casey Cherry and Hughes.
It had turned very wet for the final, and Hughes dominated from pole position to take the silverware in some style. Morrison impressed too on his way to second, with Teggart and Cherry next home.

The Stock Rods were their usual competitive selves, with nothing between a whole host of drivers throughout the night. Teenagers Ryan Carroll and Ryan Jackson disputed the heat one lead, before Harry Minish powered through to win ahead of Stevie McNeice and Sam McNeice. Stevie went one better in heat two, taking the win over Siobhan Martin, after first over the line Jonny Cardwell was penalised for contact.
In the final Sam Wilson worked his way past early pacesetters Carroll and Lacey Bevan, stretching ahead to take a splendid victory despite the closing attentions of Minish and Sam McNeice.

The Superstox heats were all about British and Irish Champion Jordan Robinson, the Portadown driver relegating Conor Murphy to take the opener over Steven Haugh, before repeating the feat in heat two over Dean Catherwood.
Jordan McFetridge set the pace in the final, but this time it was Catherwood who was showing excellent pace. He got the better of the star men to take a very pleasing victory ahead of Robinson, Haugh and Sean Mark.

Added 01/06/2026

Bell Rings Up Another National Hot Rod Victory

An exciting evening of racing at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday, May 23rd, saw Portadown ace Glenn Bell take the National Hot Rods honours in Round 13 of World Series NI. Dungannon’s Jake Devlin was another big winner as he scooped the 2.0 Hot Rods silverware, whilst the other feature race winners at the meeting were Garvagh’s Stephen Boyd (1600 Rookie Bangers), Ballymena’s Mark McBurney (Lightning Rods) and Magherafelt’s Jordan Davis (Ninja Karts).

The opening National Hot Rods heat saw Adam Heatrick out front until he hit trouble in the closing laps. That handed the lead and the win to the similar Mazda of former World Champion Derek Martin ahead of a fast charging Glenn Bell and Jeff Riordan. Heatrick led heat two before retiring once again, handing the lead to Martin before a caution was called with just three laps to go when Nigel Mccauley found himself stranded on the Tullyroan End. The restart was nail-biting stuff, with Martin getting bundled wide which opened the door for crowd favourite John Christie to take the win ahead of Martin and Bell.
The final saw Davy Clarke and then Martin ahead, but Derek then had no answer to the lightning fast duo of Bell and Christie. Both swept around the outside to hit the front, with Bell taking a very creditable victory despite the Lotus of Christie being glued to his rear end over the final laps. Riordan, Adam Maxwell and Derek McMillan completed the places.

The local 2.0 Hot Rods drivers were joined for the evening by World Champion Jason Secker from Scotland. The heats were all about Portadown man Rab Preston, as he grabbed the opener by a distance from Ronan McNally and Jake Devlin. Preston made good use of his white grading once again in heat two, taking another morale boosting victory. Stuart Agnew and Ryan McClure completed the top three after Devlin was docked for contact from second.
Preston again made his getaway at the front in the final, but Devlin once again had the bit between his teeth as he basted clear of his fellow blue graders. Jake pulled off a great outside pass to hit the front, taking a pleasing win over Aaron Stewart and Preston. There was action aplenty from a strong 24-car field of 1600 Rookie Bangers, with plenty going on around the track right from the first green flag in heat one. Steven Bolton broke free to win this one ahead of Deano McGrath and Alan Haugh.
Heat two again saw incidents galore, with a number of stoppages to rescue stranded drivers. Bolton was the man to watch once again as he took his second win of the night over Jonny Rutherford and Haugh.
Aaron McGraw set the pace in the final until he hit trouble and retired, which put Dubliner McGrath into the top spot chased by Haugh. Haugh then went out too, with Stephen Boyd getting himself ahead at this stage to win the silverware to round off a very entertaining evening. Lee Booth, Rutherford and Keith McMahon filled out the top spots.

The best entry of Lightning Rods so far this season included a couple of Tipperary visitors, but it was Conor Doherty who took the opening heat having held off Mark McBurney all the way home, with Tam Agnew in third. Heat two followed a similar pattern with Doherty again the victor despite the efforts of McBurney from behind. Ricky Shaw and Aaron Rogers were next home.
McBurney got to the head of the field quickly in the final, and from there he never looked back as he took a great win. In his mirrors though was a great places battle, which saw Nigel Jackson take a great runner up slot, equalling his lap record in the process. Doherty, Mark Corry and Shaw rounded out the top five.

The Ninja Karts field again burst through the 20 kart barrier, including England’s Bobby Davis Jnr Jnr and Tipperary’s Tadhg Coonan. Sophie Evans led early in heat one before she was overhauled by Joshua Moore who raced clear to take his first ever win over Davis Jnr Jnr and Ollie Williamson. Moore and Joey Henderson disputed the early lead in heat two before they tripped over each other and went out. Harry Hoy took over up front but it was Jordan Davis who powered through to the lead and the win over Davis Jnr Jnr and Irish Champion Jack Murphy.
Evans, Henderson and Joey McNally all had spells out front in the final, before star man Jaxon Cairns took over with Murphy right on his tail. Contact between the two saw Cairns spin out, and although Murphy came through to take the chequered flag he was unfortunately disqualified for his part in the demise of Cairns. That handed a delighted Jordan Davis his second win of the night ahead of Eddie Fowler, Davis Jnr Jnr and Williamson.

Added 25/05/2026

Hat-Trick Hero McKeown Dominates At Aghadowey

Co Armagh driver Drew McKeown was the star man at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday night, May 16th, as he went through the card unbeaten to scoop a hat-trick of wins in National Hot Rods World Series NI Round 12.
On a night of close, competitive racing Meath’s Declan O’Connor won the coveted William Cooke Memorial Trophy for Stock Rods, whilst there were King of Aghadowey title wins for Portadown’s Steven Haugh (Superstox) and Ballymoney’s Nolan Wilson (Thunder Rods). The other feature race of the evening fell to Lurgan’s Duane Wheelan as he completed a heat and final double in the Lightning Rods.

Davy Clarke stepped off the front of the grid to lead the opening National Hot Rods heat, but he had no answer to the pace of Drew McKeown as he powered through to the front to win over Derek McMillan and Jeff Riordan. Heat two saw McMillan the first to challenge Clarke on the outside line, but McKeown pulled off an opportunistic move up the inside of both to take his second victory of the night, this time ahead of Dean McCrory and Riordan.
McKeown quickly worked his way to the front in the feature final of World Series NI Round 12. He soon stretched clear and took the win to complete his hat-trick for the evening in some style after a faultless performance. McMillan impressed in second as he kept McKeown honest all the way home, with Riordan, McCrory and Adam Maxwell next over the line.

The Stock Rods were contesting the William Cooke Memorial Trophy, with the first graded heat win falling to Sam McNeice after he relegated Declan O’Connor after what was an excellent race. O’Connor made no mistake in heat two, this time getting his win ahead of Stevie McNiece and Siobhan Martin.
The final for the coveted trophy saw O’Connor grab the lead from pole, as major threat Sam McNeice got railroaded back from his outside front row start. Martin settled into second, but she just couldn’t quite get on terms with O’Connor to mount a challenge. Declan sped home to take the spoils after a fine drive, with Martin, Darragh O’Shea and Mark Foster filling the places. Jordan McFetridge impressed out front in the Superstox heats, the novice leading the opener until three laps to go when World Champion Steven Haugh powered through to win over Sean Mark. In heat two it was Conor Murphy who took over out front, taking a popular win from Mark and Ethan Martin.
The closed grid King of Aghadowey final saw Mark and Murphy occupy the front row, but it was Haugh who got the better of the early exchanges to hit the front, even holding off an early attack from Jamie McCann. Haugh then pulled clear to take the King of Aghadowey crown from McCann and Dean Catherwood.

It was also King of Aghadowey time for the Thunder Rods, with twenty cars on hand for the first heat. Andrew McLean soon hit the front in this one to win over Adam McKinney and Jason McMullan, before the reversed grid heat two went the way of Norman Purdy with Joshua McMullan and Mark McLaughlin following him home.
There was a huge early battle in the final for the second place, but this only allowed polesitter Nolan Wilson to edge further and further clear out front. McLaughlin eventually broke clear from the pack, but by now Wilson was long gone and he took a very impressive win indeed over McLaughlin, Jason Darragh, McKinney and James Goldie.

The Lightning Rods, whilst down in numbers, produced some outstanding racing all evening. Andrew Woods held the lead in the opener before Duane Wheelan rushed around his outside to grab a great win over Mark McBurney. In heat two it was Tom Hewitt who broke Woods’ resolute defence to take the win over Ian Hobson.
The final again saw Woods out front, and once again it was Wheelan who powered around the outside to complete his double for evening after a great performance. Conor Doherty and McBurney completed the top three.

Added 17/05/2026

McClure, Cherry & Cairns Win Big At Tullyroan

An exciting evening of racing in changing conditions at Tullyroan Oval on Saturday night, May 2nd, saw Portadown’s Ryan McClure scoop the final honours in the well subscribed 2.0 Hot Rods formula. The Junior Productions Golden Helmet saw local Tullyroan driver Casey Cherry take the title, whilst Portadown’s Jaxon Cairns was victorious in the Moffett Family Trophy for Ninja Karts.
The other feature races on the night saw Ballymena’s Gary Freeburn win the Tullyroan Challenge Cup for 1400 Stock Cars, whilst Ross Houston from Waringstown gave his new BMW a dream debut with a win in the Lightning Rods.

The opening heat for 2.0 Hot Rods saw a very busy raceway with a big grid on hand, and it was Ballymena man Chris McCloy who took the win, even overcoming a mid-race caution to lead home Ronan McNally and Adam Hylands. McCloy led early on again in heat two, but this time it was Ryan McClure who hit the front to win from Hylands and James McKinney.
The final was another exciting encounter, with McClure again demoting McCloy from the early lead to race home to his second win of the night, and in some style too. Hylands again took the runner up spot ahead of the rapid Jordan Rochford and McKinney.

Damp conditions made the going treacherous in the opening Junior Productions heat, with Jack Morrison powering through to take the flag. But he had grabbed the attention of the Steward during the race and was demoted in the final analysis. That handed the win to Jack Murphy ahead of Tony Calvin and Rowdy Grattan. Calvin the drove the race of his career in heat two, leading for much of the distance until pipped at the death by Jake Barnett who took the win. Austin Grattan followed Calvin home in third.
The final, for the stunning Golden Helmet Trophy presented annually by the McKeown family, saw Calvin and Murphy share the front row of the grid, but star man Casey Cherry quickly hit the front. As the race progressed defending champion Leyton Hughes moved through to second, but despite heaping plenty of pressure on the leader it was Cherry who took the title after a fine drive. Hughes, Morrison and Ryan Berry completed the top four. A huge field of almost 30 Ninja Karts included visitors from England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. Sophie Evans drove superbly to lead the opening heat until well past half distance, before Jordan Davis swooped past to grab the win ahead of Jaxon Cairns and Denver Bevan. Heat two was another great race on a packed track, and this time it was Harry Hoy who took a great win ahead of Cairns and Cahan Bradley.
Evans held the lead early in the Moffett Family Trophy final, before Joshua Moore hit the front only for the young drivers to be brought to a halt by a caution period after a crash. On the restart Cairns wasted little time in grabbing the top spot, racing home for a splendid win over Ollie Williamson and Jack Murphy, the latter having been a very busy young driver having competed in both the Ninja Karts and Junior Productions throughout the evening.

After a busy period recently for the 1400 Stock Cars, numbers were down a little but that didn’t detract from the action on track. Michael Logan led the opener until Matthew McKinstry bumpered his way past as they took the last lap board. But he had shown his hand too soon, with Logan coming back hard into the final bend to come out on top ahead of McKinstry and Winston Weir. McKinstry then got his win in heat two, leading home Curtis McConkey and Logan at the chequered flag.
The closed grid Tullyroan Challenge Cup final saw McKinstry in the lead until he was dumped into the wall by Gary Freeburn, as World Champion Curtis Greer nipped past both to take it up. But Freeburn wasn’t done just yet, hitting back hard on the World Champ to go back ahead and power home to the win. Logan came through for second ahead of Greer and Josh McKinstry.

The Lightning Rods saw a much improved field including a debut for the new E92 BMW of Irish Champion Ross Houston. The opening heat saw the worst of the conditions, which played right into the hands of wet weather expert Nigel Jackson. He took the win over Mark McBurney and Houston. Heat two saw an impressive flag-to-flag win for Andrew Woods, as he led home returnee Tam Agnew and World Cup Champion Mark Corry.
Woods again caught the eye in the final, leading for much of the distance until the flying star duo of Houston and Jackson powered past. Jackson was tracking Houston’s every move, but Ross held on for a maiden win in his new car ahead of Jackson and Corry.

Added 04/05/2026

Brilliant Bell Wins Aghadowey National Hot Rods Final

A keenly contested race meeting at Aghadowey Oval on Saturday April 18th saw Portadown’s Glenn Bell power through to take the honours in the eleventh round of World Series NI for the National Hot Rods. Garvagh’s Stephen Boyd was the other big winner, as he took a last gasp win in the 1600 Rookie Bangers Spring Classic after a sensational finish.
The other feature race winners at the meeting were Enniskillen’s Stevie McNiece (Stock Rods), Ballygowan’s Ethan Martin (Superstox) and Rasharkin driver Jason Darragh (Thunder Rods).

Round 11 of National Hot Rods World Series NI saw a debut for the sublime new Lotus of Simon Kennedy. The heats were all about Ahoghill racer Philip McCloy, as he won the opener ahead of Cork’s Jeff Riordan before repeating the feat in heat two ahead of Ian Riordan and Glenn Bell.
In the feature race final, McCloy looked all set to make it a perfect hat-trick for the night, leading until a mid-race caution period when Carl Sloan found himself stranded on turn three. That closed the field right up for the restart, and it was current form man Bell who romped away from the outside line to hit the front and take the win in superb style. McCloy had to make do with second after a very productive night, ahead of Ian Riordan, John Christie and Jeff Riordan.

The 1600 Rookie Bangers entertained right from the off and it continued throughout the evening. Alan Haugh stormed through the chaos to win the opener ahead of Stephen Boyd, before heat two saw Aaron McGraw get the better of a superb dice with Steven Bolton to grab the victory.
The Spring Classic final saw a big rollover for Josh Goligher on the pit bend, before the climax boiled down to a scrap between Haugh, Boyd and Bolton. As they headed towards the final bend it was anybody’s win, but Bolton and Haugh found the wall which opened the door for Boyd to steam through to victory after a sensational finish. Gavin Gamble and McGraw completed the podium finishers. The opening Stock Rods heat saw an impressive win for 16-year-old Portadown lad Ryan Jackson, the Junior Productions graduate heading home veteran campaigner Victor McAfee at the flag. Jaydon Brunton led much of heat two before Meath’s Declan O’Connor went ahead to take the win just ahead of Stevie McNiece.
O’Connor relieved Brunton of the lead in the final at mid-distance, and looked odds on to make it a double for the night. That was until a charging Harry Minish took the challenge to him, bundling his way past but attracting a penalty as he went. As the lead duo tripped over each other, the raceway opened for McNiece and Stevie duly grabbed the lead to take what at one stage looked a very unlikely win. Behind McNiece came Jonny Cardwell and Sam McNeice.

The open-wheeled Superstox saw Troy Crawford grab both heat wins as he showed some great pace from the yellow grade. In the opener he led home British and Irish Champion Jordan Robinson and Ethan Martin, before heat two saw him take the flag over Jordan McFetridge who made a great run to second.
The final was their best race of the night, with some superb jostling for position within the pack. Martin managed to break free out front, and Ethan romped home to his first ever final win in the formula, and a popular win it was too! Jamie McCann and Gerard Hartley completed the top three.

A big grid of Thunder Rods completed the programme, and their opening heat was perhaps the race of the meeting! Toby Hutton held firm out front despite a whole gaggle of cars snapping at his heels. But it was Norman Putrdy who took the win after an audacious swoop right around the outside on the last lap. Heat two saw Adam McKinney take the honours ahead of Nolan Wilson and Liam Wilson.
The final saw rapid novice Owen McLaughlin in the initial lead, until Rasharkin’s former Irish Champion Jason Darragh hit the front on lap nine. Darragh held on to take a creditable win ahead of Lee McCloy, James Goldie and Liam Wilson.

Added 20/04/2026

McCann Defends Superstox Challenge Cup As Woolsey and Hughes Win Again

Loughgall driver Jamie McCann successfully defended the Tullyroan Challenge Cup for Superstox last Saturday night, April 11th, in what was a superb race from the open-wheeled Stock Cars. There were also feature race wins at the Tullyroan Oval meeting for Scotch Street’s Wayne Woolsey (2.0 Hot Rods), Antrim’s Leyton Hughes (Junior Productions) and Ballymena duo Conor Doherty and Adam Grahamin the Lightning Rods and Thunder Rods respectively.

Jamie McCann made good use of his drop to the blue grade to win the opening Superstox heat ahead of World Champion Steven Haugh, before there was a very popular heat two win for Ethan Martin despite the closing McCann and Haugh.
The closed grid Tullyroan Challenge Cup final saw McCann and Haugh share the front row, but it was Dean Catherwood who hit the front once things settled down. On the tricky racing surface, McCann was tracking his every move and pounced at the perfect time, tipping Catherwood into a spin. McCann raced clear to seal the Challenge Cup win, with Catherwood putting on a stirring recovery to snatch second from Jordan Robinson and Haugh.

Another big grid of 2.0 Hot Rods saw a great finish to the opening heat as recent returnee Ryan McClure snatched the win on the line by inches from long time leader Dean McFarland. Heat two saw a decisive victory for Ronan McNally ahead of Thomas Dilly and Adam Hylands.
The feature race saw McNally out front early on before a caution period when Dilly became stranded on the home straight. At the restart McNally and Hylands tripped over each other, allowing McFarland through to the lead tracked by star man Wayne Woolsey. Woolsey slipped under McFarland to hit the front, and then held off a spirited challenge from James McKinney to take the win. A whole host of penalties were handed down in the opening heat for the Junior Productions for jump starts and contact, and that promoted the third man over the line, Jack Murphy, to the victory over Tony Calvin. Murphy then led heat two for a time, until he was overtaken by a fast-charging Jack Morrison. Morrison took the win over Leyton Hughes and Murphy.
Calvin and Morrison had spells ahead in the final, but it was the undoubted King of the Scene Hughes who raced through to the front to take his thirteenth feature race win in succession – an astonishing achievement! Morrison, Murphy and Keegan Turtle completed the places.

The opening Thunder Rods heat saw a clear win for Jack Gault over James Steele and Adam Graham. Gault repeated the feat in heat two to earn himself an automatic upgrade on the grid for the final, this time heading home Johnny Gillespie and Adam McKinney.
The final saw Owen McLaughlin ahead early on before Adam Graham came steaming through to the front. Adam took a clear and decisive win over Liam Wilson and James Goldie as the chequered flag came down.

An excellent first Lightning Rods race saw Conor Doherty grab the lead from Andrew Woods, before star man Nigel Jackson pipped him for the win on the run to the flag. Doherty did take the honours in heat two, holding off Jackson and Duane Wheelan.
The final saw Doherty ahead from the sixth lap, and from there he duly completed his double for the night ahead of Jackson and Whelan once again.

Added 13/04/2026

Tullyroan Oval Practice Evening - Thursday 16th April

There is a Practice Evening this Thursday, April 16th, from 6pm - 9pm.

All formulas are welcome, cost is £40 per car.

Spectators can attend free of charge.

Added 13/04/2026

McNeice Shines Again At Aghadowey Easter Monday Meeting

Having won the NI Open title on Easter Saturday at Tullyroan Oval, Randalstown Stock Rod ace Sam McNeice completed a dream weekend when he also tasted victory in the coveted Alan Connolly Memorial Trophy at Aghadowey Oval on Easter Monday.
On a day of close racing across all the classes, Cork’s Ian Riordan won the National Hot Rods final whilst Crumlin’s Matthew Milliken took the honours in the 1400 Stock Cars Irish Masters. Portadown’s Jaxon Cairns won a frantic Ninja Karts King of Aghadowey event from a huge field, whilst there was a heat and final double in the Thunder Rods for Limavady’s Liam Wilson.

The opening qualifier for the Stock Rods saw a flag to flag win for Stevie McNiece ahead of Darragh O’Shea, before teenager Harry Minish scooped heat two by just holding off pressure from Sam McNeice and Mark Foster.
The final, for the coveted Alan Connolly Memorial Trophy, saw Sam McNeice on pole spot and he quickly assumed the lead over Minish. Scottish Champion Robbie Armit soon moved to second and heaped huge pressure on Sam over the second half of the race. But McNeice was equal to what Robbie had to offer, the Randalstown driver coming home to successfully defend the trophy for his second big win of the weekend. Armit was great value in second ahead of the impressive O’Shea in third.

The opening National Hot Rods heat saw a straightforward win for Adam Maxwell over Ian Riordan, before Ahoghill’s Phillip McCloy took a popular win in heat two despite big pressure from behind from Riordan and Drew McKeown.
Davy Gurney stepped off the line to lead early in the final, but it was Riordan who quickly moved through to the lead. From there National Champion Ian controlled the race from the front, taking the honours after a very productive day points-wise. Maxwell, John Christie, Shane Murray and World Series leader Glenn Bell completed the top five. The 1400 Stock Cars were very lively all day, and saw a debut in the formula for Geoff Hearst. There was action all around in heat one, as Matthew Milliken stormed through to win over World Champion Curtis Greer and Craig Bodenham. Heat two saw Lexi Crooks set the early pace until she was overcome by Matthew Weir, but a perfectly timed last bend hit by Greer saw him take the win by the slenderest of margins over Weir and Milliken.
In the Irish Masters final, pole-sitter Greer got bundled wide on the mass start, which allowed Milliken to edge clear. Despite action all around, Milliken controlled the race to take the title win, with Greer recovering to second ahead of Gary Freeburn and Josh McKinstry.

A huge field of Ninja Karts from all four corners of the British Isles contested the King of Aghadowey. England’s Bobby Davis Jnr Jnr took the opening heat win ahead of Scotland’s Alfie Shevill, before heat two saw the locals on top as Jaxon Cairns led home Jack Murphy. Heat three saw England’s Henry Hunn just pip Cairns to the win on the last lap.
Well over 30 karts took the green flag in the King of Aghadowey final, with a huge lead battle between Cairns, Mason Carberry and Hunn. After a late race stoppage, the lead was contested by upwards of eight karts in a sensational race. Cairns held on out front to take a deserved victory over English duo Johnny Wheeler and Parker Smith. Next home were Murphy, Hunn and Carberry.

The Thunder Rods completed the programme, with Norman Purdy showing great pace on the outside line to win heat one ahead of Liam Wilson and Liam Irwin. Wilson went one better in heat two to win over Andrew McLean.
The final had everything, with James Steele ahead at mid-distance before he was bundled down the order. That let Wilson power through to win once again ahead of Purdy, Lee McCloy and Johnny Gillespie.

Added 07/04/2026

Big Tullyroan Easter Wins For Bell, McNeice and Woolsey

Storm Dave couldn’t deter the racers at Tullyroan Oval on Easter Saturday night, as they served up some superb action to entertain the holiday weekend fans. Portadown’s Glenn Bell was victorious in Round 9 of National Hot Rods World Series NI, whilst a hard fought NI Open for Stock Rods fell to Randalstown’s Sam McNeice.
Scotch Street’s former World Champion Wayne Woolsey won the 2.0 Hot Rods Irish Masters, with other feature race wins going the way of Steven Haugh from the Birches (Superstox) and Antrim’s Leyton Hughes (Junior Productions)

The changeable weather conditions kept the drivers busy all evening, with set up and tyre choice critical. Portadown driver Mark Heatrick made great use of his generous yellow grading to take the opening National Hot Rods heat win in his Fiesta, heading home Glenn Bell and Jeff Riordan. Mark repeated the feat in heat two, this time ahead of a fast-charging Adam Maxwell and James Ginty.
The final saw a superb dice on a track that was drying at a fast rate of knots. Heatrick had a spell out front until he was demoted by Cork’s Ian Riordan. Ian held sway out front, even when Bell and John Christie joined the scrap for the top spot. Riordan then got wrong-footed in the backmarking traffic, allowing Bell to slip ahead and take the win over Christie, with Riordan having to make do with third in the end.

A huge field of Stock Rods contested the annual NI Open, with a very welcome sprinkling of visiting drivers adding to the occasion. The first heat saw defending champion Mark Foster out front until he lost out to Scotland’s Robbie Armit who took the win. The packed raceway was leading to some competitive action, and heat two fell to Irish Champion Sam McNeice ahead of Harry Minish, with veteran Victor McAfee catching the eye in third after a great outside run on a late restart.
Armit and Foster disputed the early lead in the NI Open final, which was run on a rapidly drying track. McNeice pulled off a splendid move to relegate both and hit the front, grabbing a deserved lead he would never lose all the way to the flag. As Sam took the title win, British Champ Siobhan Martin came on strong late on for second, with Dan Shannon inheriting third after Minish and Callum Magill inherited penalties. Visitors also boosted the 2.0 Hot Rods field to the mid-twenties, and they served up some of the best action seen all evening. Shane McMillan took a flag to flag win in the opener, coming home ahead of Adam Hylands, Wayne Woolsey and Ally Neill. The reversed grid heat two was easily the best of the night, and an early contender for race of the season. Callum Doak and James McKinney were battling for the lead out front, but had a whole gaggle of cars breathing down their necks. In the damp conditions a whole multitude of lines were being used in the search for grip, with next to no contact between the cars at all. Rob Barnett managed to claw himself to the front when it mattered most to take the win in an incredible race, with McKinney, Hylands and Doak next home.
The Irish Masters final saw Hylands ahead from the off before Woolsey found the slenderest of gaps down his inside into turn one. As Wayne went ahead, Hylands and World Champion Secker kept the pressure on all the way, searching for a way past. Woolsey kept his cool though, keeping it neat to take the win in some style over Hylands, Secker and Andy Best.

The Superstox provided the contact element for the day, with Troy Crawford taking a deserved heat one win over Stephen Stewart, before British Champion Jordan Robinson claimed heat two ahead of Steven Haugh.
Andrew Murphy set the pace in the feature race, but he had no answer when World Champion Haugh came knocking in the final stages. Steven took the win from Robinson and Murphy.

The opening Junior Productions heat saw Jack Murphy out front early on until Jack Morrison swooped past to win from Leyton Hughes and Ryan Berry. Heat two saw a decisive win for Jamie Hadden, who controlled the race from the front ahead of Morrison and Murphy.
The final saw Tony Calvin, Jake Barnett, Hadden and Morrison all have spells in the top spot, before Hughes came charging past at the halfway point to take the win. Behind the flying British and National Champion came Morrison, Casey Cherry and Hadden.

Added 07/04/2026