National Hot Rod World Qualifying Series begins at Raceway tonight

The National Hot Rod racers have no time to rest on their laurels as the qualifying campaign for the 2017 World Final roars off the grid at Ballymena Raceway on Friday evening.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Jul 2016, 08:48 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 20:03 BST
Stock Rod British Champion Jim Pitcaithly is travelling over from Fife to compete at Raceway on Friday.Stock Rod British Champion Jim Pitcaithly is travelling over from Fife to compete at Raceway on Friday.
Stock Rod British Champion Jim Pitcaithly is travelling over from Fife to compete at Raceway on Friday.

Newly crowned World Champion Adam Maxwell is sure to receive a hero’s welcome from the local fans as the Crumlin racer makes his first appearance with the gold roof.

The new campaign promises to be the most competitive ever, with the formula currently enjoying record car turnouts.

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It’s a star-studded line-up too, with the likes of John Christie and Glenn Bell expected to mount a challenge, alongside former Two-Litre Hot Rod World Champions Shane Murray and Adam Hylands. An additional incentive for the drivers will be that the final winner receives the Richard Turtle Memorial Trophy, which is currently held by Hylands.

The trophy was introduced last season in memory of the much liked and respected former Hot Rod racer Richard Turtle, who sadly passed away in November 2014.

Richard, or Dick as he was better known around the ovals, was a regular competitor in the National Hot Rod class during the 80’s and early 90s.

STOCK ROD IRISH MASTERS

The Stock Rod racers compete in their Irish Masters event on Friday evening.

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British Champion Jim Pitcaithly from Fife from Scotland is travelling over for the event and will be joined on the grid by fellow countrymen Trevor Calvin and David Kempton.

The locals will have to be in top form, with the likes of Jack Kennedy, Jason Clyde, Adam Sloan, Aaron Moody and Irish Champion Wilfie McNiece expected to be in the thick of the action.

Super Saloons and Group Two Lightning Rods are also on the programme along with the Classic Hot Rods, with the first race commencing in the Ballymena Showgrounds at 7:15pm.