Flag falls on new Raceway season this Friday

European and NI Champion John Christie from Crumlin will be sure to be amongst the favourites for the trophy, which acts as a taster for the drivers before the World Championship qualifying trail restarts at Easter.

Portadown’s Stewart Doak, who claimed the British title at Raceway back in September, will also be aiming high in his Vauxhall Tigra, whilst former British title holder Gary Woolsey will have a brand new Tigra at his disposal this term.

Dungannon ace Keith Martin took the honours in the Winternationals on New Years Day, and along with young charger Glenn Bell will be another to watch.

Cullybackey ace Frankie Lynn may well fulfil a long held ambition to compete in the elite class of the sport if his recently acquired car can be readied in time.

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The ultra competitive Stock Rods contest the coveted William Cooke Memorial Trophy.

Nutts Corner lad Raymond Harper will be keen to retain the trophy he collected last term on its maiden staging, in memory of the legendary Kilrea driver and engineer who graced the local tracks for many years.

Craigywarren hero Micky McFall will be hoping to continue his top form which has seen him claim the honours on his last two outings at the town track, including the Irish Championship crown last October. Another who can’t be overlooked is local car dealer Victor McAfee.

Randalstown racer Mick Rodgers, who netted a cool £1,000 on his last Raceway outing last year in the Group 2 Lightning Rods division, has made the move up to the Stock Rods for 2011, and should be joined by Broughshane’s Sammy Graham in the ex-Frankie Lynn British Championship winning Vauxhall Corsa.

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Entertainment will also be served up on the evening by the Group 2 Lightning Rods and the Junior Rods.

The closely matched budget racers of the Group 2’s always provide an abundance of action, and as usual local aces Kenny Carson and Lyle Murray will be amongst the front runners.

Danny Norris, David Gillespie and lady racer Liscinda Smyth are always amongst the pacesetters, and a bunch of new recruits to the class, including Ballymena garage owner Uel McMillan and Ahoghill’s Denver Logan, will be aiming to start on a bright note.

The youngsters in the Junior Rods always impress, with Dean McCrory, Sean McFerran, Dan Shannon and Marc Morrell always hard to separate. Aughafatten’s Jaime McCurdy has a stunning new Corsa on hand with which to improve on his impressive debut year in 2010, whilst other newcomers at the recent practice day included Peter Greer, Dean Wright and Patrick O’Boyle.

The first race of the season’s opening meeting, sponsored by Mk II Escort Shells and Spares, and Darrell Hanna Auto Repairs, leaves the grid at 7.15pm.

Don’t miss this week’s Ballymena Times for a full preview of the Raceway season.