First wins of season for five drivers

Ballymena's Micky McFall grabbed a dramatic last lap win in the Stock Rod final and another Ballymena racer on top form was David Gillespie, who snatched a heat and final double in the Group Two Lightning Rods.

Irish Champion Andrew Stewart took the Saloon Stock Car spoils, with the other trophies at the S. McAfee and Son Car Sales sponsored meeting falling to Desie Howard in the Classic Hot Rods and Graham Fegan in the F2 Stock Cars.

STOCK RODS

Bobbie Johnston continued his promising introduction to the Stock Rod class with a brace of victories in the heat races. Come final time however the Dunclug College student found himself under pressure from the quick starting Chris Gordon. The pair eventually crashed out in spectacular fashion as the fought over the lead which left the way open for Philip Davey to take it up. Davey held on until the final lap where Micky McFall nipped through to claim the spoils in his Vauxhall Nova, with Irish Open Champion Raymond Harper close behind in second and British Champion Frankie Lynn third.

Heat One: 1. Bobbie Johnston (Glenarm), 2. Chris Gordon (Ballymena), 3. Philip Davey (Glengormley)

Heat Two: 1. Johnston, 2. Gordon, 3. Davey

Final: 1. Micky McFall (Craigywarren), 2. Raymond Harper (Nutts Corner), 3. Frankie Lynn (Cullybackey)

F2 STOCK CARS

Antrim's Gary Blair collected his maiden victory in the opening heat, before Gary Grattan rocketed to victory in the second heat.

Blair led away the final, but a mid-race caution period closed the field right onto the back bumper of the leader's car. On the restart it was Graham Fegan who blasted through to the front and the former European Champion pulled steadily clear for a comprehensive win.

Heat One: 1. Gary Blair (Antrim), 2. Jack Boal (Crumlin), 3. Gavin Fegan (Belfast)

Heat Two: 1. Gary Grattan (Banbridge), 2. Craig McConnell (Belfast), 3. Denver Grattan (Banbridge)

Final: 1. Graham Fegan (Belfast), 2. Jonny Stirling (Crumlin), 3. Gavin Fegan

SALOON STOCK CARS

Ballymena's Jason Burns marked his first outing of the 2010 season with a good win in the second Saloon heat.

That win was sandwiched between a first heat and final double success for Irish Champion Andrew Stewart in his Ford Sierra.

In the final it was Cullybackey's Ryan Wright who followed Stewart across the line in his Ford Mondeo with David Haugh completing the top three finishers.

Heat One: 1. Andrew Stewart (Portadown), 2. Ross Houston (Waringstown), 3. Ryan Wright (Cullybackey)

Heat Two: 1. Jason Burns (Ballymena), 2. Stewart, 3. Houston

Final: 1. Stewart, 2. Wright, 3. David Haugh (Portadown)

CLASSIC HOT RODS

Thomas Dilly gave a debut to his latest Classic, a Ford Escort Mk. 2, and the Dungannon driver immediately reaped the benefit with victories in both heat races.

Hopes of a hat-trick were soon dashed in the final however after a clash with Stephen Nevin eliminated both drivers on the spot. Desie Howard avoided the drama to lead the way in the final and despite strong pressure from Fergal McNally it was Irish Open Champion Howard who clung on to lift the silverware.

Heat One: 1. Thomas Dilly (Dungannon), 2. Caleb Howard (Moneymore), 3. Stephen Nevin (Coleraine)

Heat Two: 1. Dilly, 2. Fergal McNally (Portadown), 3. Nevin

Final: 1. Desie Howard (Moneymore), 2. McNally, 3. Kenny Wilson (Ballymena)

GROUP TWO LIGHTNING RODS

Stewart Nicholl looked set to win the opening heat, but did not count on David Gillespie going on a late charge which would see him sneak through at the final moments to steal victory.

Samuel Montgomery marked his first appearance of the new season with a composed drive to victory in heat two, before Gillespie doubled his tally for the evening with a good win in the final.

Good Friday final winner Mick Rodgers had to settle for second on this occasion with Lyle Murray in third.

Heat One: 1. David Gillespie (Ballymena), 2. Nigel Doherty (Garvagh), 3. Stewart Nicholl (Kilrea)

Heat Two: 1. Samuel Montgomery (Castlerock), 2. David Wilson (Culybackey), 3. Lyle Murray (Ballymena)

Final: 1. Gillespie, 2. Mick Rodgers (Randalstown), 3. Murray

THIS WEEKEND

Racing continues this Friday (April 23) with another five formula meeting which features a World Qualifying Round for the National Hot Rods, plus Classic Hot Rods, Stock Rods, Group Two Lightning Rods and Saloon Stock Cars.

The organisers are hopeful that racing can resume in the Ballymena Showgrounds this weekend, but drivers and fans should check the official Raceway website www.ballymenaraceway.com for confirmation before travelling.