Cream of UK racers battle it out at Ballymena Raceway

DRIVERS from England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland joined the best racers from the province to provide two thrilling days of international short circuit action at Ballymena Raceway at the weekend.

The UK Masters title for the Stock Rod class and the Irish Open Championship for the Classic Hot Rods were the main events on the packed programme and it was two drivers from the province who landed the major honours as Nutts Corner Stock Rod ace Raymond Harper captured the UK Masters and Desie Howard from Moneymore successfully retained the Classic Hot Rod trophy.

Results

Stock Rod UK Masters Final: 1st. Raymond Harper, 2nd. Victor McAfee, 3rd. Frankie Lynn

Classic Hot Rods Irish Open: 1st. Desie Howard, 2nd. Dean Hunt, 3rd. Kenny Wilson

F2 Stock Car Tom Swan Memorial Trophy: 1st. Gary Grattan, 2nd. Denver Grattan, 3rd. Conor Hughes

National Hot Rods: 1st. Wayne Woolsey, 2nd. Mark Heatrick, 3rd. Glenn Bell

ORC Lightning Rods Yokohama Cup: 1st. Gordon McKee, 2nd. Mervyn Emerson, 3rd. Ben McKee

Junior Rods: 1st. Bradley McKinstry, 2nd. James Steele, 3rd. Dean McCrory

Group Two Lightning Rods Final (Fri): 1st. Kenny Greer, 2nd. Arthur Roxborough, 3rd. Jason Harkness

Group Two Lightning Rods (Sat): 1st. Gareth McCrory, 2nd. Samuel Montgomery, 3rd. Gary Thompson

This weekend

The action continues at Ballymena Raceway this Friday (August 27) and features round 2 of the Hoosier Tires / LJN DeSigns Series for the Two-Litre Hot Rods. Adam Heatrick took the honours in Round 1, with Irish Champion Shane Murray from Randalstown and British Champion Andrew Best from Richill also expected to challenge strongly this time. The Group Two Lightning Rods will race for the Wm. McMaster Perpetual Shield on Friday evening, with the programme completed by races for the Junior Rods and Stock Rods. The first race gets underway in the Ballymena Showgrounds at 7:15pm.