McNiece crowned Irish Stock Rod champion at Raceway

Moffett Shield winner Conor Hughes. Picture: David Park.

McNiece started the showdown on pole position with British Champion Steven McKane alongside on the front row and the race soon developed into a straight fight between the pair.

The lead continued to ebb and flow between the top two while a tough battle raged for third between Matthew McKinstry and Gareth Bevan. They were soon joined by Aaron Moody who motored through from grid 11 to make it a three way scrap which ended with Bevan going for a grassy slide across the infield. Bevan’s attempt to rejoin the track saw the Larne driver crash into the unfortunate McKinstry which brought out another caution period.

With only 2 laps remaining the result was declared at this point based on the order at the last lap competed under green flag conditions. McKane was initially declared the winner, but regrettably his car was found to be underweight at the post race checks which elevated McNiece into first position. Bevan was removed from the results as the main cause of the race stoppage which placed Moody in a superb second place with McKinstry reinstated in third.

Stock Rod Irish Champion for 2015 Wilfie McNiece: Pic: Gilmore Race Photography.

Stock Rods 2015 Irish Championship: 1st. Wilfie McNiece, 2nd. Aaron Moody, 3rd. Matthew McKinstry, 4th. Shane Gault, 5th. Lester McCloy, 6th. Fergus Bevan

F2 STOCK CARS

Craig McConnell captured the Raceway Stadium Championship for an impressive fourth time after a faultless display.

Irish Champion Christopher Kincaid alongside on the front row had no answer to McConnell who came home a clear winner while Conor Hughes produced a stirring drive to motor through from grid nine to third.

F2 Stadium Champion Craig McConnell with runner-up Christopher Kincaid (left) and Conor Hughes who finished third. Pic: David Park.

F2 Stadium Championship: 1st. Craig McConnell, 2nd. Christopher Kincaid, 3rd. Conor Hughes, 4th. Bradley McKinstry, 5th. Dean McCrory, 6th. Gordy McKee

GROUP TWOS

One week after claiming the Irish title at Raceway Andy McLeister returned to the Showgrounds and added the National title to his list of successes. Two heat races preceded the National Series Final on Friday evening and brought a clear brace of victories for Garvagh lad Jason Darragh. The results from these two heats were added to the points already accumulated in the previous rounds to determine the grid positions for the final.

Jason Clyde qualified on pole position with McLeister alongside on the front row and the pair fought out an entertaining side by side battle over the opening laps before McLeister eased his way ahead with an excellent overtaking manoeuvre around the outside. Once out front McLeister stretched away from the pack.

GP2 National Series Final: 1st. Andy McLeister, 2nd. Nigel Doherty, 3rd. Jason Clyde, 4th. Rodney Stewart, 5th. Kenny Carson, 6th. Jason Darragh

JUNIOR RODS

Another Irish Champion on top form was Antony Kincaid who captured the Gold Roof Series with a dominant flag to flag win in his Peugeot 106.

The grid for the final was calculated on points scored over the entire RPM Car & Commercial backed Gold Roof Series and placed Kincaid on pole position with Joshua McKinstry alongside on the front row.

Kincaid judged the start perfectly to grab the lead at the green flag and the Antrim lad quickly put the hammer down to build his advantage and he romped home after a commanding run with the podium positions filled by Patchett and McKinstry.

Junior Rod Gold Roof Series Final: 1st. Antony Kincaid, 2nd. Jack Patchett, 3rd. Joshua McKinstry, 4th. Jack Kennedy, 5th. Cole McFall, 6th. Jack Kearney.

EURO STOCKS

Colin Clifford rolled back the years to leave Raceway with the Euro Stocks silverware after a close battle with Aaron McGraw in the final.

The Larne man previously raced alongside his father Raymond in the Stock Car class at Raceway during the eighties and early nineties and made a return to the ovals this season. Clifford was made to fight every inch of the way by McGraw however, who had earlier won both heats in his rapid Honda. That earned the Garvagh lad an upgrade for the final but Clifford used all his know how to hold off his pursuers however and secure a hard fought success with McGraw a very close second and Frew in third.

Euro Stocks Final: 1. Colin Clifford, 2nd. Aaron McGraw, 3rd. Mark Frew, 4th. Johnny McCloy, 5th. Bobby Johnston, 6th. Alistair Christie