Hot Rods continue world qualifying at Raceway on Friday

Oval racing returns to The Ballymena Showgrounds on Friday evening, May 22, with National Hot Rods topping the bill.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd May 2015, 08:00 BST
A National Hot Rod World Qualifier tops the bill at Ballymena Raceway this Friday.A National Hot Rod World Qualifier tops the bill at Ballymena Raceway this Friday.
A National Hot Rod World Qualifier tops the bill at Ballymena Raceway this Friday.

The speed kings of the local tracks will contest Round 13 of their World Qualifying campaign.

With only two rounds of the PC Paints and Components sponsored qualifying series remaining the battle to secure a place on the World Final grid is reaching its climax and a number of the leading contenders will be able to confirm their spot at Ipswich with a good set of results on Friday evening.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

British Champion Glenn Bell sits at the top of the points chart and is in the enviable position of having already amassed sufficient points to lock down his qualification. Bell will now be targeting overall victory in the series which would guarantee the Portadown star a starting spot amongst the top seeded drivers on the World Final grid.

2013 World Champion John Christie, current Northern Ireland Champion Andrew Murray, Adam Maxwell, Derek Martin and Stewart Doak are all within touching distance of a World Final spot, while Gilford’s Nigel McCauley, Jaimie McCurdy from Broughshane and Carl Sloan from Kells are jostling for the final two places.

There is little room for error amongst those chasing one of the eight places on the World Final grid however and a simple non-finish at this stage of the game can turn things completely on its head!

There’s also a very full schedule of support races to enjoy at the Eco Flame Boiler Services sponsored fixture, where pride of place undoubtedly goes to the BriSCA F2 Stock Cars.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The F2s have been on great form so far in 2015 and contest the final of their McGill Motorsport Series on Friday evening. Irish Champion Craig McConnell has been the man to beat at Raceway in 2015 and occupies top spot in the series after final wins at both the previous rounds.

Former European Champion Graham Fegan and Irish Open Champion Christopher Kincaid are next in line however and the sparks could really fly when this pair go head to head with McConnell for the title!

The McCrory boys, Ryan and Dean, Conor Hughes, Sam McKay and Gary Blair are some of the other contenders hoping to get their name in the frame.

The Raceway programme also includes the Supreme Championship for the Junior Rods, plus races for the Group Two Lightning Rods and Euro Stocks, with the first race getting underway in the Ballymena Showgrounds at 7:15pm.