Parkhill seals maiden victory

GROUP Two Lightning Rod racer Davy Parkhill recorded his first ever victory at Ballymena Raceway last Friday.

The Ballymoney man, a newcomer to the sport this season, finished third in the opening heat and won the second heat race to qualify on pole position for the first round of the Global Oils Grand Prix Series.

There was to be no dream ending for Parkhill however as his HSS Hire backed Vauxhall slipped down the order in the final which went the way of Mick Rodgers.

In the other classes Raymond Harper continued his impressive 2010 form by clinching the William Cooke Memorial Trophy for the Stock Rod division, Stephen Nevin took the Classic Hot Rod honours, Gavin Fegan lifted the F2 Stock Car final and the Junior Rod award went to Dean McCrory.

Results

Stock Rod William Cooke Memorial: 1st. Raymond Harper, 2nd. Frankie Lynn, 3rd. Stevie McNeice

Group Two GP Series Round One: 1st. Mick Rodgers, 2nd. Stephen Doherty, 3rd. Lyle Murray

Classic Hot Rod Final: 1st. Stephen Nevin, 2nd. Desie Howard, 3rd. Kenny Wilson

F2 Stock Car Final: 1st. Gavin Fegan, 2nd. Adam Maxwell, 3rd. Ryan McCrory

Junior Rod Final: 1st. Dean McCrory, 2nd. Sean McFerran, 3rd. Daniel Shannon

This weekend

A first-class evening of short oval action lies ahead at Ballymena Raceway on Saturday (May 8) when some of the UK’s top stars are in town to contest the Saloon Stock Car World Masters Trophy.

The best from England and Scotland, such as former World Champions Steve and Shaun Webster from Sheffield, Scottish Champion Robbie Burgoyne from Airth and current holder Luke Grief from Cambridgeshire, will provide a stern test for the province’s top racers in what is sure to be an all-action clash of steel between these heavily armoured saloon cars.

The Raceway action gets underway at 7:15pm on Saturday evening, with support races provided by the F2 Stock Car, Stock Rod and Group Two Lightning Rod classes.