Halloween thrills and spills at Aghadowey Oval

HALLOWEEN night was celebrated at Aghadowey Oval with some fantastic race action on a night where track conditions were testing to say the least.

Scottish driver James Mooney made the long trek from Perth worthwhile as he took the National Hot Rods honours for the Richard Turtle Memorial Cup, whilst there were Irish Championship successes for Limavady’s Liam Wilson (Thunder Rods) and Portadown’s Steven Haugh (1600 Rookie Bangers).

Other feature races fell to Dundrod’s Callum Magill in the Stock Rods and Lurgan’s Duane Wheelan in the Lightning Rods.

National Hot Rods

The opening National Hot Rods heat saw some drivers caught out with tyre choice as the mizzle that would blight the meeting dampened the track.

There was a great battle at the front as Allen Cherry just held off James Mooney for the win.

Heat two was arguably the race of the night in any formula, with Simon Kennedy ahead before former World Champion Derek Martin powered around the outside of the pack to take a fantastic win ahead of Mooney and Drew McKeown.

The World Series NI Round 6 final was all about Mooney, as the Scottish ace pulled clear early on into a lead he would never lose. As James romped home to a very creditable win which also gained him the Richard Turtle Memorial Cup.

Once again there was a fantastic battle in the pack, with Derek McMillan taking second ahead of Glenn Bell and Shane Murray.

Thunder Rods

The Thunder Rods Irish Championship saw a big field come to grid, led by Liam Wilson and James Goldie on the front row.

Wilson wasted no time in stamping his authority on proceedings, leading all the way home to take a splendid title win.

Lee McCloy drove superbly to take the runner up spot, with Mark McLaughlin claiming third after a number of penalties were handed down.

The reversed grid Irish Revenge Race was sponsored by Autoclean of Limavady, and after Gareth McCrory and Toby Hutton had spells out front it was Andrew McLean who powered around the outside to win from Wilson and McLaughlin. He took home a great trophy and a handsome cash prize.

1600 Rookie Bangers

Alan Haugh and Steven Bolton shared the front row for what would be an action packed Irish Championship for the 1600 Rookie Bangers.

An explosive start saw the lead swap hands several times, as Haugh, Bolton and Stephen Boyd all had spells ahead. A stoppage was called for debris on the back straight, and at the restart it was usual Superstox ace Steven haugh who came through for a fantastic Irish title win. Bolton and Karl Smyth filled the places, the latter have despatched Alan Haugh late on in no uncertain terms.

Two entertaining heats followed, the first of which was full of drama and big wrecks. Steven Haugh once again won from Bolton and Lee Booth, before Josh Goligher took a clear victory in the last race of the night, winning ahead of the Haugh brothers Alan and Steven.

Stock Rods

The Stock Rods were dominated all evening by Dundrod’s Callum Magill, as he powered past Declan O’Connor to win heat one ahead of Harry Minish. He crossed the line first in heat two as well, only to be docked to third for contact on his way to the front. That handed victory to Minish over O’Connor.

Ryan Jackson briefly led the final, but there was no stopping Magill as he showed his wet track prowess by storming to another easy win. Minish, O’Connor and Darragh O’Shea filled the places.

Lightning Rods

Ross Houston was the man on the move in the opening Lightning Rods heat, powering through from the star grade to take a spectacular win ahead of Conor Doherty and Nigel Jackson. Jackson then improved in heat two to take the chequers over Duane Wheelan and Doherty.

Wheelan got the break early in the final, and after a fine drive in challenging conditions he held on to take a very worthy victory. Jackson just couldn’t quite get on terms in second, with Mark McBurney and Doherty next home.

Next Meeting The next meeting at Aghadowey Oval is over the festive period, Monday December 28th at 1.30pm, with five formulas in action. The National Hot Rods contest Round 7 of World Series NI, the 1600 Rookie Bangers contest their Festive Challenge with the Ninja Karts contesting the Stars of Tomorrow Challenge. Thunder Rods and Stock Rods complete the Christmas line up.