New track for radio controlled cars

A half acre astroturf model car racing track is officially opening at the Ecos Centre on Saturday, April 24 at 12 noon.

The track is specially built for radio controlled model cars, not the type you might see in toy shops but specialized buggies which are about two feet long and run on proper internal combustion engines and reach speeds of 50 mph.

The Northern Ireland Model Car Club has been in existence since 1992 and are delighted that Ballymena Borough Council has helped fund the building of the track at the council owned Ecos Centre.

David Parker from the NIMCC said: "It's fantastic to have a tailor made track with all the facilities for race days. Ballymena Borough council funded us with around 4,000 and are facilitating us with the use of the grounds. We put another 2,500 into the track. It's state of the art and certainly the best one in Ireland.

"The cars which race on the track cost anything from as little as 300 to over 1,000. The organizers hope the open day and official opening of the track will attract many new members to the hobby-feel free to come along, everyone is welcome."