World Series 2007

2007 World Series NI Round 16.
Nutts Corner Oval, June 2nd 2007

Darren Black reports:  After a long, hard season of gruelling racing, it was Gary Woolsey who claimed the Northern Ireland Championship title with a measured display in the final round at Nuttscorner Oval. Heat wins on the night fell to Gary’s main rival in the points race, Keith Martin, and the final winner at the previous round, John Christie. Wayne McClure then rubber-stamped his return to the National Hot Rod fold with a win from the front in the final.

Entry-wise there were a few points of interest, notably long-distance traveller Jay Austin from Ipswich. After an impressive debut in the wet at Foxhall on Bank Holiday Monday, Jay had travelled over to Northern Ireland simply to get another signature on his provisional licence. Together with one next weekend at Birmingham, that will enable him to compete in the international events coming up during late June and July.

Of the locals, all eyes were on the new Ludlow Tigra of Stewart Doak which was undertaking its initial shakedown runs, and pretty impressed the pilot was too. After his freak coming together with a Junior Production car last week, Wayne Woolsey was back behind the wheel of his SHP 206cc for the first time in quite a while, although it probably would have got an airing anyway as the proposed method of travel at Ipswich in early July.

Heat One
Mark Heatrick was the first to show in the first race of the night from pole spot on the grid. The youngster held sway for a few tours before Keith Martin moved through to take up the running ahead of Wayne W and Alan Connolly. Gary W soon moved through the pack from his back row start to take up fourth spot and more importantly keep the points difference between himself and Martin to a minimum. That’s how things stayed until the end, with Keith’s win bringing the gap at the top of the points down to just four. Further back Doak had a cautious race in his new Tigra for seventh, whilst Andy Best’s ninth spot was only after a broken half shaft in the dying seconds of practice left his team with work to do on the Ronnie McMillan car before racing began.
Result: 994, 50, 77, 940, 962, 946, 996, 941, 949, 960, 369, 427.

Heat Two
Doak decided that grid three was just too risky for his new motor and started from the back in the second heat, whilst the driver who had started back there in heat one, Best, gave the race a miss altogether. It was a fairly strange reason, but one we’ve encountered at Nuttscorner Oval before, as Andy had decided that work needed doing on his 2.0 Hot Rod between races with their own World Championship qualifying on a knife edge at present.

Christie led away from pole in this one ahead of Gary W, whilst further back Martin easily slipped underneath both Connolly and Ivan McMillan early on to make some headway. He was soon up to fourth and running down third placed Wayne W, but as it looked as though a tight finish was on the cards, Keith found Wayne hard to crack and ultimately had to settle for fourth, with Christie taking the flag quite easily. Gary W’s second spot meant he headed into the final race of the season with a lead of 8 points over Martin.
Result: 962, 940, 50, 994, 77, 941, 960, 946, 996, 369, nof.

Final
As a new arrival on the World Series NI point’s chart, Wayne McClure had a front row start for the final, and also some breathing space behind given the gaps for the non-attendees. Wayne has never made much of a name for himself in his few National Hot Rod forays, but we all knew just what he was capable of from his 2.0 Hot Rod exploits, given the right machinery. The ex-Stow/Hillard 206 is a step in the right direction, and he soon settled into a decent lead, with Tommy Maxwell initially second, until Christie found a way by on the Airport Bend. Most eyes were on the two protagonists in the points battle though, and further back Gary W was following Martin step by step, safe in the knowledge that he was doing more than enough to claim the title.

Christie got the hammer down as we entered the second half of the race, and made massive inroads into McClure’s lead, and indeed latched onto Wayne’s rear bumper with just over five laps to go. John immediately looked to the outside only for the move to be thwarted by McClure, and before they knew it Martin had arrived to join the fun too. Keith looked all set to take a chance on the outside of both Wayne and John, but McClure was equal to it though, and held on all the way to the flag to win from Christie, Martin and the new Points Champion Gary W. Wayne W took fifth ahead of Doak, Maxwell, McMillan, Best and Austin – Jay having had a decent test session that threw up a few problems on “the car’s first run flat out”.
Result: 941, 962, 994, 940, 50, 996, 369, 946, 949, 427, nof.

The five Ulster qualifiers for the World Final, Gary Woolsey, Keith Martin, Stewart Doak, Wayne Woolsey and John Christie now begin their final preparations for the big race in July, with a number intending to race at the Thunder 500 later this month.  Darren Black


2007 World Series NI Round 15.
Nutts Corner Oval, May 26th 2007

Darren Black reports:  John Christie was the star man as the National Hot Rods contested Round 15 of World Series NI at Nuttscorner Oval on May 26th. The Crumlin flyer kicked off his night with third in heat one, followed by second in heat two, before completing his set with a comfortable final victory.

There were disappointingly just ten rods in action, although this included the return of Wayne McClure in the ex-Gary Stow Outlaw SHP 206, which had seen previous National-spec action in the hands of Dick Hillard. It was also pleasing to see Stewart Doak back in action too following his monstrous accident at Ballymena eight days earlier. The SHP Corsa was comprehensively written off, and although Stewart was offered the use of a car from the Woolsey stable as he awaits the completion of his new Ludlow Tigra, he opted to press his old SHP 205, last raced by his father Alvin, into action instead. He was never on the pace all night in the out-dated car, although he was safe in the knowledge that his ten attendance points for simply starting heat one mathematically secured his place on the Ipswich World Final grid come July.

Heat One:
Wayne Woolsey had the front row all to himself for heat one, as Mark Heatrick decided against taking up his grid two position, opting instead to run from the back alongside McClure. Wayne W settled into the early lead, and pulled an advantage over the squabbling Keith Martin and Christie, as Doak dropped to the rear of the line up.

After circulating as one for lap after lap, Christie found a gap inside Martin to take up second, with Wayne W now in sight too. Soon all three were together, with Wayne smacking the home straight wall on at least one occasion as he tried hard to keep his clear lead. Martin wasn’t going to be outdone, and as if in protest at losing his second spot to Christie, took to the outside as the race entered its final laps. He got right alongside the two and only narrowly missed out on a great win as Wayne W took the chequers by half a car length, with Christie back in third. Alan Connolly was next over the line, whilst a paint-swapping, race long scrap between points leader Gary Woolsey and Ivan McMillan, later joined by McClure, ended with Gary spinning nearing the end.
Result: 50, 994, 962, 77, 941, 946, 369, 960, 940, 996.

After the race Wayne declined the offer of a ride on the pace car following his win, and set off to do his lap of honour in his own car. He was then involved in what can only be described as a freak and unfortunate collision with a car entering the raceway for the next race by the pit gate, and suffered enough damage to his Corsa to end his nights racing.

Heat Two
Only nine cars for heat two then with the younger Woolsey sibling missing, and it was brother Gary who took up the running from the off, as a touch of drizzle filled the air. He opened up a decent gap early on as Tommy Maxwell got railroaded to the back, but Christie soon reeled him in with Martin in tow.

Further back Connolly’s progress was being somewhat thwarted by his decision to go with 2 wets on the McMillan Travel car. It was very dark overhead, but for once the expected deluge didn’t happen and the track stayed relatively dry. He had his hands full with McMillan and McClure as they battled for fourth, McClure looking quite handy even though he reckons he “needs a better car”.

Despite the pressure from behind, Woolsey took the win from Christie and Martin, with Connolly holding on for fourth.
Result: 940, 962, 994, 77, 946, 941, 369, 996, 960.

Final
Having struggled with power steering problems all night, Mark Heatrick was a non-starter in the final, in which Maxwell set off into an early lead, followed by Connolly and Christie. Connolly sized Maxwell up over  a couple of tours, before a look down the inside into the Airport Bend saw Alan run slightly wide, and Christie needed no second invitation to nip through. John soon put pressure on novice Maxwell, who held his line perfectly when shown a blue flag, and the #962 rod soon swooped right around the outside to take up the running.

Connolly was next to try his hand at taking Maxwell, who wasn’t giving up without a fight, and Alan finally followed Christie around the wide line to drop into second. Martin and Gary W were having a titanic battle further back, the top two in the points obviously having the £500 top prize in mind. They joined McMillan in a three way scrap for fourth, which saw door handles rubbed on more occasion than one. As the laps ran out, Gary W was at the head of the fight as they came upon Maxwell. Tommy got out of shape entering the home straight to take one to go, but after gathering his moment up he was then helped into a spin which saw him left stranded in the middle of turns 1 and 2.

Christie easily took the chequered and red flags together with the stricken Maxwell rod in the middle of the track, ahead of Connolly and Martin. Gary W crossed the line in fourth but was docked two places for the contact on Maxwell, elevating McMillan to the position ahead of McClure.
Result: 962, 77, 994, 946, 941, 940 (x-2), 996.

The 16th and final round takes place at Nuttscorner Oval once again next Saturday night, June 2nd.
Darren Black


2007 World Series NI Round 14.
Ballymena Raceway, May 18th  2007
H1: 940 - 994 - 946 - 996 - 77 - 962 - 50 - 949
H2: 77 - 50 - 994 - 940 - 996 - 962 - 949 - 946
Final: 77 - 994 - 940 - 50 - 996 - 962 - 960 - 949
With thanks to Colin Arbuthnott.

2007 World Series NI Round 13.
Ballymena Raceway, May 4th 2007

Darren Black reports:  Having found his feet in a handful of meetings since joining the National Hot Rods, Ivan McMillan took his first race win when he won the feature final in World Series Round 13 at Ballymena Raceway. An excellent entry of 15 cars turned up for this one, with the hard fought heats falling to Wayne Woolsey and European and National Champion Keith Martin.

There were a couple of new faces amongst those assembled for this one. By “new” we mean to the Nationals, but certainly not to the oval scene in general. First up was veteran racer Robin Morrow, who debuted the ex-Colin Atkinson Ludlow 206cc in pristine white livery. Robin has raced pretty much everything Ulster has to offer over 20+ years around the sport, from Super Rods to Superstox, and has more recently been an avid supporter of oval racing through his business RS Tyres – sponsoring meetings locally and of course his good friend Neville Stanley’s National in the Republic of Ireland. Unfortunately though, the #905 car wouldn’t make it past practice with gearbox problems.

The other debutant needed no introduction to anyone, as 2005 2 Litre Hot Rod World Champion Andy Best stepped up to the National class in the Ronnie McMillan 206. It is a short term deal at the moment whilst Ronnie recovers from injury, but Andy is hopeful that something may transpire once he gets his provisional licence out of the way. There’s been quite a bit of talk recently about brothers racing together, so we could now start another thread off in the forum, as Andy did of course join his uncle - Keith Martin - on the grid….

Even with the interest in the rise in numbers, as per usual the talk at NI National Hot Rod meetings was of who wasn’t there. Significantly it was Clive Richardson who was absent this time around, and with him now out of touch in the World Series points chart it looks like, barring miracles, that the Ulster five for Ipswich in July will now read Woolsey G, Woolsey W, Martin, Doak and Christie.

Heat One
Final winner at the previous Ballymena outing Norman Woolsey was the first to show in heat one, with John Christie settling in behind ahead of Ivan McMillan, Wayne Woolsey and Mark Heatrick. McMillan ran into trouble very soon and dropped off the pace, with Heatrick joining him as the star men moved towards the front. Norman W now had Christie on his back panel, with Wayne W in close attendance too followed by Gary Woolsey and Alan Connolly – the Ballymoney driver returning after his back injury but still far from 100%.

Norman W was struggling with a badly handling car though, and he got slower and slower at the front, boxing the unlucky Christie behind him as Wayne W swooped right around the outside to take up the running, followed by brother Gary and Connolly. Martin and Stewart Doak were past too before John got extricated from behind the #950 Peugeot with his race all but ruined.

Wayne W, again using the Simms-chassised Corsa instead of his normal 206cc, held on all the way to the flag, from Gary W, Connolly, Martin, Doak and Christie. Andy Best showed his hand in this one too by following Christie over the line in seventh from his enforced back of the grid start.
Result: 50, 940, 77, 994, 996, 962, 949, 960, 950, 21, 946, 32, 943, 369.

Heat Two
Tommy Maxwell turned his pole spot into an early lead in heat two, and held off the pack for a number of tours before succumbing to the pressure from behind. Martin moved into the lead, with Doak and Connolly right up there too. As these three moved clear, Gary W, Wayne W and Christie slipped past both Maxwell and Mark McKinstry (in a superbly well presented new blue colour scheme) to head towards the major places too.

Martin found a little breathing space at a time, but nearing the end, as Norman W slowed into retirement on the Town End bend, Doak and Connolly were right with him once again. Keith had all in hand though, and cruised to the chequered flag and the win, from Doak, Connolly, Gary W, Wayne W, Christie, McMillan and Best.
Result: 994, 996, 77, 940, 50, 962, 946, 949, 21, 369, 960, 943, 32.

Final
With the 2007 newcomers of McMillan, Maxwell and Heatrick all quite happy to mix it and take heat draws for the first time, the final was always going to be interesting with them all starting ahead of the main players on the local scene. It was McKinstry who held the aces as far as the points chart-based grid was concerned, and he immediately set his former Ian Thompson car into the early lead. Alan Connolly had got himself stuck on the outside line, and spent a number of tours alongside Norman Woolsey. He only regained the racing line after losing a spot to Christie, who soon deposed of Norman W too to lead the star charge towards the front.

As McKinstry and McMillan held station at the front, Maxwell was keeping an ever increasing band of drivers behind him. Christie was leading the challenge, and soon took to the outside looking for a way past. For a number of laps they circulated as one, with Tommy looking very good value indeed for such a racing novice. Just as John edged past though, Maxwell got a nudge from Norman W behind into turn one and all hell broke loose. Maxwell spun in front of the pack, with Christie being forced wide but fortunately escaping the mayhem. Everyone else came to an almost standstill as they made contact with one another, with Wayne W the big loser as he spun to the infield half a lap later with broken steering.

Almost unnoticed McMillan had relieved McKinstry of top spot, but all eyes were now on the charging Christie who was easily the fastest car on the track. He quickly ran down the gap to the lead duo and looked for a way past McKinstry, but time had beaten him as McMillan took his maiden National Hot Rod win. McKinstry held on for the runner-up spot with Christie well worth his third place. Gary W and Doak relegated Heatrick nearing the end to take fourth and fifth, with Connolly and Martin rounding out the top eight ahead of Best.
Result: 946, 21, 962, 940, 996, 960, 77, 994, 949, 950, 369, 943, 32.

Round 14 takes place back at Ballymena on Friday May 18th. Darren Black


2007 World Series NI Round 12.
Nuttscorner Oval, April 9th 2007

Darren Black reports:  He may still be waiting on the completion of his new Ludlow Tigra, but Stewart Doak showed that his SHP Corsa is still a force to be reckoned with by taking the final win in World Series NI Round 12 at Nuttscorner Oval on Easter Monday. There was some excellent super-fast action on the newly profiled circuit, although things did become a little controversial during the final. Heat wins earlier had fallen to National and European Champion Keith Martin, and to John Christie.

Twelve cars were in attendance for this one, with Mark McKinstry the only one missing from the thirteen in action at Ballymena on Good Friday. Wayne Woolsey once again changed machine, opting for the Simms-chassised Corsa over his usual SHP 206cc.

Heat One
Clive Richardson had pole spot for heat one, and he took up the early running. The ex-McCall 206cc though was looking very loose indeed, and Martin and Wayne W soon slipped through on the inside. Richardson dropped to third, whilst further back Doak had Gary W and Christie for company in the battle for fourth.

As Good Friday’s final winner Norman Woolsey pulled off with mechanical woes, Gary W momentarily lost ground on Doak, possibly with the car jumping out of gear momentarily or something similar. Gary did his best to hold off Christie, but was soon able to claw the Cirrus Plastics machine back in.

Martin had no problems at the front though, and took the chequers ahead of Wayne W, Richardson, Doak and Gary W. Ivan McMillan was once again running well on the pace, but a late race spin saw him card a non-finish.
Result: 994, 50, 976, 996, 940, 962, 960, 369, 32, 943 nof

Heat Two
Christie quickly established himself at the head of the field in heat two, with Gary W in second. Norman W had been slow off the line, causing son Wayne and Richardson some problems. Doak moved through to third, but was driving very defensively against Wayne W.

Christie was forever pulling away at the front, coming home well clear of Gary W, who was in turn clear of the third place battle. Doak just held on for the place, from Wayne W and Martin. Richardson’s late look alongside Martin’s outside only helped in allowing Norman W through for sixth at the flag.
Result: 962, 940, 996, 50, 994, 950, 976, 960, 369, 946, 943, 32.

Final
The grid for the final was, as usual, formed from the reverse of the World Series points chart. Norman W went clear from the off, but soon had Richardson all over him like a rash, after Clive had made one of his lightning starts to nip past Christie before turn 1. Clive then found the slightest of gaps underneath the former World Champion entering the back straight, but contact between the two saw the #950 206cc spin to the infield.

Richardson moved ahead of the pack, and held a slight lead as he came around to lap the now rejoined Norman W. Woolsey stayed inside, forcing Clive the long way around past the start/finish line. The two cars then clashed entering turn one, with the #976 rod spinning into the wall. Waved yellows were called for, and Norman issued with a black flag for his part in the proceedings.

Richardson wanted to carry out repairs and rejoin, but once he had climbed from his car under the caution period there was no way back and he sat out the restart too. In all of this, Doak had found himself in the lead, and duly led all the way to the flag for a morale boosting win. Martin took second, with points leader Gary W third ahead of Christie and Wayne W.
Result: 996, 994, 940, 962, 50, 960, 946, 369, 32.

The drivers now have a few weeks break from domestic racing, with some heading south to Tipperary for the Irish GP. World Series NI resumes at Ballymena in early May. Darren Black


2007 World Series NI Round 11.
Ballymena Raceway, April 6th 2007

Darren Black reports:  Three times former World Champion Norman Woolsey showed he has lost none of his old flair when he claimed a marvellous final victory at NI World Series Round 11 at Ballymena Raceway on Good Friday. Norman also top-scored in the meeting as well, with the heat wins falling to his son Gary and Stewart Doak.

There was plenty to talk about amongst the 13 car entry, but much of it centred on two drivers actually not on the track. Ronnie McMillan was the first, as he has now been resigned to an operation on the knee injury sustained at Nuttscorner Oval last October, whilst the other was Alan Connolly, who has been left in severe pain and very immobile with a back injury.

Very pleasingly, we also had quite a few newcomers to talk about. Former Stock Rod Irish Open Champion Davy McKay (943) stepped up to the fastest rod division in the ex-Wayne McClure SWM Corsa, whilst Ivan McMillan (946), brother of Ronnie, debuted the ex-Andy Maidment Ludlow Corsa after many years racing in other divisions, most notably the Stock Rods. Tommy Maxwell (369) however, is a complete novice to any type of motorsport, and he was seated in the ex-Keith Martin World Championship winning 206, whilst Lightning Rodder Mark Heatrick (960) made his Nationals debut in the ex-Clive Richardson SHP 206cc.

Of the more usual racers, Stewart Doak was in his trusty SHP Corsa, with the new Tigra still in the “unfinished project” bracket, whilst Richardson was having his first run in the ex-Davy McCall 206cc. Norman Woolsey, like last time, was behind the wheel of the SHP 206cc vacated by son Gary, who had stuck with his Corsa, whilst there was a welcome return by Stevie Williams, restarting his Nationals campaign with his new business now up and running.

Heat One
After the winter break, they were all eager to get up and at it, with a false start being called as they tried to anticipate the starters green flag. Norman W took it up when they did get away, although he ran wide into turn 3 allowing Doak through to the lead. Richardson had settled into third, ahead of Wayne W, when the #976 motor went decidedly sick early on. Clive kept tight to the kerb but hammered on, creating a queue behind as no-one dared risk the dusty and dirty outside line.

As the front two disappeared into the distance, Martin was only one who dared look to the wider line in his 206cc, but he then fell victim to the gremlins too, as his engine went off as well – probably even worse than Richardson’s. Doak came home an emphatic victor, from Norman W, Richardson, Wayne W and Gary W, with Christie and the impressive Ivan McMillan next up. Martin trailed home well off the pace.
Result: 996, 950, 976, 50, 940, 962, 946, 960, 369, 994, 21, 32, 943.

Heat Two
Martin was back to full health for heat two, but most crucially Richardson wasn’t, and Clive didn’t even make the grid for this one as valuable points ebbed away. Gary W stepped off the front row to lead them away ahead of Christie and Martin. The front two eased away, with Christie almost getting a nose inside Woolsey early on, as Martin defended third from Wayne W. Most notable point thereafter of a very dull race was once again the pace of Ivan McMillan, who from his rear start latched onto the back of the lead bunch and easily stayed on the pace, until an oil leak and the resultant smoke forced his retirement nearing the finish. Gary W took the spoils, from Christie, Martin, Wayne W, Doak and Norman W.
Result: 940, 962, 994, 50, 996, 950, 369, 960, 943, 32.

Final
There was more drama before the final, as Martin’s engine woes returned during the warm up laps, forcing him onto the infield. Richardson however was back up and running, although I doubt he would say his new Rod was 100%. Clive was in fact very slow away at the off, baulking Doak in the process, and allowing Gary W to swoop around the outside in a very audacious move. Doak then got underneath Richardson and they circulated as one before clashing on the entrance to turn 3, causing Doak to spin. Stewart kept things running and got away again with a minimal time loss, but still some distance behind the leaders. Maxwell then had a wild spin down the home straight, the first foot the impressive newcomer had put wrong all night.

Whilst all this was going on, Norman W had turned his front of grid advantage into the race lead, but had Christie all over him. Wayne W and Gary W were just behind to put John in a Woolsey sandwich, with Richardson next up ahead of McMillan – I doubt anyone will see many better provisional licence performances anywhere this season than Ivan was putting on.

Wayne W somehow found a gap underneath Christie nearing the end to slot in behind his Dad, but Christie held on gallantly on the outside, and even hauled himself right alongside the leader at one point. #950 and #962 alongside each other in a titanic battle – now them were the days!!! Uncle Norman had everything in hand though, and came through to claim yet another final win in his long and illustrious career. A quick check through the record books tells us Norman’s last win of any kind was a heat way back in April 2003 – not many would have thought they’d see him with a National trophy again some four years later, although the Classic Hot Rod performances of late have shown that the quality was still there. Back to the race though, and son Wayne claimed runner-up spot, ahead of Christie, Gary W, Richardson, McMillan and Doak.
Result: 950, 50, 962, 940, 976, 946, 996, 943, 32.

The World Series NI circus now moves on to Nuttscorner Oval for Round 12, on Easter Monday, 2.30pm.  All results are as seen trackside and are in no way official.  Darren Black


2007 World Series NI Round 10.
Ballymena Raceway, January 1st 2007

Darren Black reports:  From an excellent field of thirteen National Hot Rods, Ballymoney’s Alan Connolly helped claw himself back towards a World final qualification spot with an excellent final win at NI World Series 10 on New Years Day at Ballymena Raceway. Earlier the heats had fallen to Clive Richardson and National and European Champion Keith Martin.

With 13 rods in the pits, there was always going to be plenty to talk about, with Martin’s pristine new 206cc easily the pick of the bunch. All the other World qualification contenders were as per usual car-wise, and they were joined by Wilson Hamilton, having another outing on the track where he learned the ropes so many years ago, whilst back home visiting family for the festive period. Former World Champion Norman Woolsey was a welcome returnee in the SHP 206cc campaigned previously by son Gary, whilst Will Scott wheeled out his SHP 206 in preference to his usual Fiesta. Wayne McClure was back too with a re-fettled Corsa, and Mark McKinstry made his home debut in the ex-Thompson 206.

Heat One
Only seven of the runners elected to take a draw for the grid in heat one, this not including Ronnie McMillan, who decided to run from the back in the heats as he is still far from fully recovered from the leg injury sustained in his monumental Nuttscorner Oval accident in October.

Richardson led them away from the off, and immediately set about putting some decent ground between his 206cc and the pack. John Christie was next up ahead of Gary Woolsey, as brother Wayne and Stewart Doak gamely hung on round the outside on the difficult, damp surface. Martin was wasting no time showing what his new mount was capable of, as he relegated both Connolly and Wayne W to surge towards the front of the main pack.

Richardson though was the easy winner this time, from Christie and Gary W, whilst Martin’s impressive form saw him grab fourth at the line.
Result: 976, 962, 940, 994, 50, 77, 996, 941, 944, 21, (904), 980, 950.

Heat Two
Problems in the NW developments camp meant Norman W was finished for the day, leaving just 12 cars for heat two, which Martin duly led away from pole. Connolly and Doak had a scrap for second for a few tours which fell in the favour of Alan. Further back the Woolsey brothers were having a superb fight, with Wayne slipping around Gary on the outside to go fourth.

With Christie and Richardson battling hammer and tongs for the minor places, all eyes were on Connolly, who was eating into Martin’s lead which had at a time looked unassailable. Alan arrived on Keith’s back bumper with the lap boards out, and despite a few looks to the outside, Martin held on for the win. Doak claimed third, from Wayne W, Gary W and Christie.
Result: 994, 77, 996, 50, 940, 962, 976, 941, 944, (904), 921, 980.

Final
McMillan declared himself fit enough to take up his front row start for the wet final, and set off into an immediate lead before falling victim to the marauding Connolly in the opening encounters. There was drama on the back straight as Wayne W lost time as he rode the wall, before trying to cut across the bows of the overtaking Richardson heading towards turn 3. In an instant the #50 car was heading down the grass backwards, almost collecting Christie as it came back onto the tarmac. By the time Wayne got things heading in the right direction again he was dead last, with loads of ground to make up.

Christie was having a horrid time of it on the wet track, losing places to Richardson, Doak and Martin in a very short space of time, with Martin also slipping past Doak too as he made moves towards the front. Richardson was looking lightning quick though, and despite a loss of time when lapping Wayne W, who obviously had his own idea as to what happened on lap 1, Clive was making great strides towards McMillan’s second spot.  He duly made it past Ronnie nearing the end, but Connolly was well down victory lane by now, taking his sixth feature race win of the series and clawing back yet more of the points he lost when a family holiday meant a zero return from Round 5. Richardson and McMillan were second and third, ahead of Martin, Doak and Gary W.

Result: 77, 976, 944, 994, 996, 940, 941, 962, 21, (904), 50, 980.

The Nationals return to World Series duty when the 2007 season proper kicks off at Easter. Darren Black


2007 World Series NI Round 9.
Nuttscorner Oval, October 21st 2006

Darren Black reports:  Having sat his Peugeot 206cc on pole position for the recent European Championship, Clive Richardson continued his resurgence in form when he took the final honours in World Series NI Round 9 at Nuttscorner Oval on Saturday night.

Eleven cars were in attendance at the track, with Mark McKinstry and Alan Wilson missing having raced the previous weekend at Tipperary, meaning that the entry could well have totalled a respectable 13 cars – could things be on the way up once again in Ulster?

So we had eleven, but unfortunately only nine would see the first race. First to go, and in the biggest possible way, was Ronnie McMillan in his immaculate 206. It had been quite a while since I’d heard of a National having its throttle jam before Dick Hillard’s massive accident at the European, but Ronnie became the second victim in a week as he slammed into the turn 1 wall in practice, with the car coming to a sudden and horrendous stop given the angle of impact. Ronnie was taken to hospital, where fortunately the prognosis was only ligament and cartilage damage in his knee, as well as bruising etc from the belts. The car, though badly damaged, stood up well to the massive impact.

The other we lost from racing was Davy McCall, the 1990 and 2002 World Champion returning in his self-built 206cc. Quite a bit of work had gone on under the skin to bring it more to Davy’s liking since its last outing, but he was still suffering from brake problems. It probably could have been sorted, but Davy unselfishly was channelling all his efforts on the night into his young protégé William Buller’s campaign in the accompanying 2.0 Hot Rod Irish Championship, so the #942 rod sat unused throughout the night.

An addition to the field however was Francis Allen, at the wheel of the borrowed Wayne McClure Corsa. Francis never once looked out of his depth all night as he sampled the power of a National Hot Rod, having raced a 2.0 Hot Rod and a National Banger at the previous two Nuttscorner Oval meetings! Another welcome addition to the action was the returning Will Scott, once again in the SWM Fiesta.

Heat One
The track was in perfect condition for heat one, with Wayne Woolsey on pole position. Alan Connolly made a demon getaway however from grid two to lead into turn one, before contact between the two saw Alan slide backwards towards the wall.

An unsatisfactory start was called, and when they lined up for take two Connolly did exactly the same again, and took up the lead this time out onto the back straight. Stewart Doak was holding third from Clive Richardson, who was already showing quite a turn of speed as he looked for a way past the Cirrus Plastics Corsa. Newly crowned European Champion Keith Martin was next up, with Gary Woolsey and John Christie fighting hard just behind.

Connolly though was pulling clear for a comprehensive victory, ahead of Wayne W, Doak and a frustrated Richardson.
Result: 77, 50, 996, 976, 994, 940, 962, 914, 980.

Heat Two
Points leader Gary Woolsey took up the running in heat two, getting the run down the inside of the lone front row starter Christie. Richardson went through too, but Gary W was already making good his escape.  Christie ducked and dived all over the #976 car looking for second, whilst behind Wayne W was on a charge, slipping down the inside of Connolly into turn one is a very audacious move, before hitting the wide outside line to haul himself alongside Martin. The move just wouldn’t come off for Wayne, but he got slotted back into the train behind Keith. Connolly looked outside too nearing the end, only succeeding in dropping himself right to the back of the line up.

Gary W meanwhile was half a lap to the good at the end, with Richardson holding on for second ahead of Christie and Martin.
Result: 940, 976, 962, 994, 50, 996, 914, 77.

Final
The heavens had opened just prior to the final, and the ever-dampening track left some guessing as to whether to go four wets or a two and two combination. Will Scott’s non-appearance for this one left us with just the eight starters, as usual in reverse points chart order. The first two attempts to get going came to nought with first Christie spinning from the pack before they had even reached the green flag at the end of the rolling lap, and then the starting line-up being completely out of order at the second time of asking. It wasn’t a good lesson for anyone from any so-called lesser formulae who may have been watching, as drivers disobeyed red flags and then stopped abruptly causing others to rear end each other. There were a few tempers beginning to show, but at the next attempt we got the green with Connolly settling into the lead from the off. Richardson was right there with him though, with Alan getting the blue flag with the Horta Soils car swarming all over him. Christie was close by too in third, ahead of Wayne W and Martin, with Doak and Gary W struggling with each other at the rear, well off the pace.

Richardson then got a run at the inside of Connolly into turn one, and with a degree of contact was through to the lead, although he did collect a black cross next time around. Christie had followed Clive through to relegate Connolly to third, but couldn’t match the pace of the Richardson machine. Clive duly reeled off the remaining laps to take the chequered flag ahead of Christie, Connolly, Wayne W and Martin. There then followed a short Steward’s enquiry involving evidence from both Richardson and Connolly, with no action taken on the black cross and Clive declared the winner and top points scorer on the night.
Result: 976, 962, 77, 50, 994, 940, 996, 914.

Next round is scheduled for Ballymena raceway on January 1st, 2007.  Darren Black.


2007 World Series NI Round 8.
Ballymena Raceway, September 22nd 2006

Darren Black reports:  It was the ‘Alan Connolly show’ once again when the National Hot Rods contested World Series Round 8 at Ballymena on Friday night, the Ballymoney ace taking a heat and final double as he concentrates on closing the gap to the all-important top five in the points chart.

Once again we had eight cars in attendance, all in their usual mounts, with the only point of note being with the Wayne Woolsey 206cc. The driver’s door of a hot rod isn’t much use sitting in a workshop in Portadown when you’re racing in Ballymena, so the NW Developments team had to borrow the door of Micky McFall’s Corsa Stock Rod and somehow make it fit before venturing near the track!

Heat One
It was Clive Richardson who drew pole spot for heat one, and he made the perfect getaway to grab the lead, as he looked to improve on two poor-ish returns from the previous couple of rounds. The 206cc was looking good too, much better than it has of late, and Clive had no trouble extending a lead over second placed Gary Woolsey, who had National and European Champion Keith Martin in close proximity, ahead of John Christie and Wayne W. At the back, Stewart Doak was fighting off a two-pronged attack from Ronnie McMillan and Connolly. McMillan took the bull by the horns and hit the outside of the #996 Corsa, but only succeeded in letting Connolly through in the closing stages.

At the front, Richardson was home and dry to the win – a fine start after the troubles of his last Ballymena outing. Gary W came home second from Martin, with Christie next up after fighting off the attentions of Wayne W’s late charge on the outside.
Result: 976, 940, 994, 962, 50, 996, 77, 944.

Heat Two
Connolly was the first to show in the second race of the night, but not before clouting a rumble strip very hard into turn one. John Christie had hit exactly the same kerb at the last Ballymena outing, and he was out on the spot with broken steering, so lady luck was certainly with Alan this time around. McMillan made the break with Connolly, as Doak again settled down to some defensive driving behind, with the handling of the Cirrus Plastics car obviously not all it should be. Wayne W was the one doing all the pressing on Stewart, but he was soon in trouble as the motor began to misfire and sound decidedly “off one”.

As Doak made good his escape to a safe third, the others all queued up for a go at Wayne. Christie went to the outside down the back straight but seemed to possibly cut in too early into turn three. The Fiesta snapped sideways after the contact with the Woolsey car, and in a flash Martin, Gary W and Richardson were through.

Connolly was well down the road by now though, and took the win with McMillan keeping him honest in an equally clear second from Doak, Martin and Gary W.
Result: 77, 944, 996, 994, 940, 976, 962, 50.

Final
After a delay whilst the correct grid was formed, during which a brief shower had come and gone, Connolly got the drop in the final with the track somewhat slick for the opening few tours. Wayne W, who’s gaining quite a reputation as the man to watch on a slippery track, showed well early on too, running the wide line to gain the grip that would propel him into third behind Richardson after the opening exchanges. Ronnie McMillan is a renowned wet-weather man too, and he took full advantage of the few laps of moisture to slip inside Christie to take fourth.

McMillan, Christie, Doak, Martin and Gary W were all running together in a pack across both lines of the track, and as predicted by some on the terraces it all almost ended in tears on the home straight as Christie somehow got well out of shape, but more importantly lost a number of places along with Doak, who also got delayed in the midst all the shenanigans.

Connolly was still holding sway at the head of the field, but had both Richardson and Wayne W is close attendance, before Wayne’s engine troubles of the previous race reoccurred, and he would soon fall right off the pace, but keep running in order to gain what could be all-important points come the season’s end.

Connolly swept home to yet another final triumph – three out of three since missing round 5 at Nuttscorner due to a family holiday. Richardson looked much improved in second, with McMillan, Martin and Gary W rounding out the top 5. Doak held off Christie for sixth, as John had yet another of those nights which saw the #962 car score badly in both heat two and the final. Wayne W coaxed his ailing 206cc home in last spot, having been lapped at least once by the entire field.
Result: 77, 976, 944, 994, 940, 996, 962, 50.

The NI racers now get a little break from World Series racing to prepare for the European Championship at Tipperary (Oct 14/15), before the final round this side of the winter break takes place at Nuttscorner Oval on Saturday 21st October. Darren Black.


2007 World Series NI Round 7.
Nutts Corner Oval, September 16th 2006

Darren Black reports:  A glorious end of summer evening greeted the National Hot Rods when they returned to World Series action at Nuttscorner Oval on Saturday night, and once again it was Alan Connolly who annexed the final honours for the fifth time this campaign, after the heats had been shared by Stewart Doak and John Christie.

Once again only nine cars were in action, with Gary Woolsey again in the McCall-built Corsa as opposed to the 206cc. Stewart Doak had his horrendous rear-end damage repaired after his gearbox failure at Ovalfest, which had left the rear suspension of the Corsa in a sorry state as the propshaft snapped and went berserk under the car. Alan Wilson also had the TT back to full health after the motor trouble which saw him only just make his superb third-placed finish at Rockingham.

Heat One
Doak wasn’t entirely happy to have drawn pole spot as he felt his car was still far from its best, but he nevertheless led the field away for the night’s opening encounter. Ronnie McMillan settled into second as Wayne Woolsey had the first of a few very sideways moments in the pack, but still held third.

McMillan was pressing Doak hard for the lead, but threw it all away when he got much too deep into turn one, and in an instant the whole pack were moving through on his inside. Doak had a breather for a few tours, but couldn’t break clear as Wayne W stepped up to challenge for the top spot. The Cirrus Plastics man received a couple of blue flags as Woolsey ducked and dived behind him, with Stewart having to slam the door shut very hard on at least a couple of occasions.

Doak held on all the way for the win, from Wayne W and Martin. Gary W had tried a last lap charge around the outside of the National Champion, but only succeeded in letting Clive Richardson through on his inside for fourth.
Result: 996, 50, 994, 976, 940, 962, 77, 944, 963.

Heat Two
John Christie had the front row all to himself for heat two, and immediately got the hammer down to pull a gap on the following pack headed by Connolly and Richardson. Alan’s car seemed more than a bit twitchy to say the least, and he was doing all in his powers to keep the #976 car at bay, despite a blue flag or two. Approaching turn 1, Clive leaned the Connolly 206 wide, and moved through to second but collected a black cross for his troubles next time around.

Martin and Gary Woolsey had moved through past Connolly too, and nearing the end Martin was all over Richardson for second but unable to find a way through. Christie was well up the road as he took a clear win, with Martin inheriting second after Richardson was docked two places to fourth for his contact on Connolly. Gary W finished third, with Connolly hanging in there in fifth, ahead of a great scrap between McMillan and Wayne W.
Result: 962, 994, 940, 976(x-2), 77, 944, 50, 996, 963.

Final
Alan Wilson didn’t grid for the final, leaving just 8 cars, with Connolly on pole position of the reverse points chart grid. The McMillan Travel 206 looked much better this time than in the previous heat, but he still had to fend off the attentions of his adversary of the previous race, Richardson, early on. This Alan did well, as the pace of the race was slowed as oil was laid on the raceway. Richardson felt his car twitchy and pulled off seemingly thinking the problem lay with him. He quickly returned though, and continued to circulate well off the pace, but with the oil most definitely not coming from the Horta Soils car.

Connolly now had breathing space at the front and was coping well with the slippery stuff, but the man on the move was Wayne W, who showed his excellent car control to break free from the pack and grab second spot. He was soon eating into the gap to the leader, as further back a great battle was raging between Doak, Martin and Gary W.

Connolly had everything under control though, and he raised his game enough to keep the status quo between himself and Wayne W at five or six car lengths all the way to the flag, to record his second final win this term at Nuttscorner Oval. McMillan claimed third after we finally found out who had laid the oil as Christie ground to a halt half a lap from home with a blown diff. Doak inherited fourth from Gary W and Martin, with Richardson a couple of laps down at the end and the last remaining runner.
Result: 77, 50, 944, 996, 940, 994, 976 nof.

Next round September 22nd – Ballymena Raceway. Darren Black


2007 World Series NI Round 6.
Ballymena Raceway, September 1st 2006

Darren Black reports:  Having just returned from holiday, Alan Connolly soon got back into the groove when he claimed a heat and final double in NI World Series Round 6 at Ballymena. It was a night of high drama to say the least, with Gary Woolsey claiming the other victory of the meeting.

There were once again only 8 cars in action, with Alan Wilson and John Murray absent after racing at the previous encounter at Nuttscorner Oval, whilst Connolly returned after his enforced break with a sizeable points disadvantage to overcome. Car wise, Gary Woolsey was the only change, as he swapped back to the 206cc in preference to the Corsa campaigned over recent rounds.

Heat 1
It was to be a night of many talking points, and the first came straight away in the first race. Points leader Keith Martin led them off the line from Gary Woolsey, whilst behind John Christie entered turn one alongside Ronnie McMillan. Quite what happened was unclear, but John’s Fiesta clouted a rumble strip very hard indeed, and he was out on the spot with broken steering.

Martin was easing into a decent lead, but the whining noise coming from the Robin Martin Diesels Peugeot warned that everything was not well in the transmission department. Clive Richardson was defending hard from Wayne Woolsey and Connolly to hang onto his fifth spot, which became fourth when the National and European Champion’s gearbox cried enough and he departed the fray.

This left Gary W to claim his 206cc’s maiden win, from McMillan, Stewart Doak and Richardson.
Result: 940, 944, 996, 976, 50, 77, nof

Heat 2
With the gearbox changed in record time, Martin was ready for the second heat, where he was also joined by the repaired Christie. Wayne W had pole this time, but it was a very ragged start in which he lost out big time. Richardson rocketed down his inside to take it up, whilst Connolly came from the stagger of grid two to almost round the silver 206cc as well. Wayne was obviously fired up, and down the back straight lined up a move on Richardson to regain the lead. They entered turn 3 in a cloud of tyre smoke as both locked up, and then traversed through the Town End bend locked together before the Richardson car clouted the wall hard entering the home straight. With significant near side front damage, the 206cc was going nowhere and the red flags got an airing, with Clive venting his anger in Wayne’s direction as they came to a standstill next time around. The decision lay with the Steward of the Meeting though, and that was to exclude Woolsey from the restart.

After much deliberation – was he leaving the track or wasn’t he – we were left with just 6 for the re-run. Things didn’t get off to a much better start, with Christie entering the Fisherwick Bend at right angles across the front of Gary W, before gathering it all together after Martin had slipped ahead of both. Connolly pulled well clear to take a commanding victory, with Doak second, then McMillan, Martin, Christie and Gary W, who seemed to be suffering handling difficulties after the earlier skirmish.
Result: 77, 996, 944, 994, 962, 940 nof

Final
More hard work in the pits, this time by the Horta Soils crew, saw Richardson ready for action come final time. Connolly’s holiday gifted him the front of the grid of those present, as it probably will for quite a while, and he immediately turned this into a lead he would never relinquish. McMillan got away second ahead of Richardson, whilst an early outside line run by Doak came to nought and he dropped to the back of the field.

As the front running duo pulled clear, Richardson’s obviously far-from-100% rod had a train forming behind, headed by Christie, Wayne W and Gary W. The former British Champion was using all his experience to keep them at bay, and despite numerous blue flags Clive kept it on the kerb and offered Ballymena’s notorious outside line to anyone willing to try. Step forward Wayne Woolsey esq., and the young Portadown driver took the bit between his teeth and pulled alongside Christie before trying his hand with Richardson, with whom he had clashed so controversially earlier. Time and again he drew alongside, but just couldn’t get all the way past, with the Steward even showing a black cross in Richardson’s direction at one stage, presumably for not holding his line.

Oblivious to all this was Connolly, simply because he was half a lap down the road on his way to yet another fine win. McMillan was equally comfortable in second to become the night’s highest point’s scorer, whilst the drama in the main train wasn’t finished yet as contact saw Christie get spat from the pack onto the infield to end a very unproductive night for the Crumlin man. Richardson claimed third on the road, but was docked two places to fifth for his black cross. This left Wayne and Gary Woolsey to claim third and fourth respectively, with Martin sixth, from Doak and a recovering Christie.
Result: 77, 944, 50, 940, 976(x-2), 994, 996, 962.

After the rods stretch their legs at Rockingham’s Ovalfest next week, the next World Qualifier is at Nuttscorner Oval on Saturday 16th September. Darren Black.


2007 World Series NI Round 5.
Nutts Corner Oval, 27th August 2006

Darren Black reports:  Clive Richardson scored his first final win since July last year when he took the honours in Round 5 at Nuttscorner Oval on Sunday. It was a day of very changeable weather conditions, which made conditions very tricky for the competitors.

Nine cars were present for this one, the main point of note being the absent Alan Connolly, who had taken the family away on a pre-planned holiday. In his place we had the return of Alan Wilson in the Audi TT, with a new engine on board after the problems which kept him in the pits during the National Weekend at Hednesford. An interesting entry was former Nationals racer and current 2.0 Hot Rod star John Murray, who was giving an outing to the still for sale Davy McCall 206CC.

Heat One
Faced with a dry track for the only time of the afternoon, the Rods still managed to get into all sorts of trouble on the first lap, where all manner of bumping and boring led to Ronnie McMillan getting spun into turn 3. An unsatisfactory start was called, and they all duly took up their places. Richardson led them away yet again, with John Christie in hot pursuit ahead of Wayne Woolsey and Keith Martin. Christie soon found a way through on the inside into turn 1, and Woolsey made it into second. Richardson was stuck on the outside, and his attempts to get back in ahead of Martin saw the #976 car spin to a halt on the Airport Bend. Further back McMillan was fending off Stewart Doak for fifth, but when Stewart found a gap down the inside as they entered the back straight, there was contact as Ronnie tried to defend and the McKinstry Skip Hire Rod was facing the wrong way in an instant. At the front Christie eased home to the first win of the day, ahead of Wayne W, a closing Martin, Gary Woolsey and Doak.
Result: 962, 50, 994, 940, 996, 976, 70, 944.

Heat Two
The second heat was all about the weather, with the drivers coming on track as it started a light drizzle, with everyone on slicks. They all set off on their way, with Stewart Doak the first to show on what could be best described as a “tricky” track. Gary W settled into second ahead of renowned wet weather expert McMillan, but one look to the sky showed that the rain wasn’t going to stop. It began to get slightly heavier, but all the drivers coped well, especially Doak who was in a class of his own at the front, even traversing the start/finish line at times on opposite lock with his foot still hard on the throttle. As the lap boards came out it had become an absolute downpour, and the reds were shown early as it became almost too dangerous, but not before both Wayne W and Christie found trouble separately on the River Bend. The result was taken as of the last completed lap, with Doak a worthy winner ahead of Gary W, McMillan and Wayne W.
Result: 996, 940, 944, 50, 976, 962, 994, 963, 70.

Final
The reverse points chart start gave McMillan the trump card yet again, and following his Round 4 win at Ballymena, few would have bet against him now that the track was wet once again. At least for this race they had the appropriate tyres!

Ronnie made no mistake from the rolling start, closely followed by Richardson. Doak was showing well once again as the Portadown man has certainly found a set-up that suits the wet conditions. Richardson soon found a gap inside McMillan and set about building up a decent gap, but Doak had accounted for Wayne W and Christie already, and was soon under Ronnie too and in pursuit of the leading 206CC. Towards the back, Keith Martin was having a torrid time as he raced for the final spots with Wilson and Murray.

The 5-to-go signal was soon out for Richardson though, and Doak was now right with him. Clive called on all his experience throughout the final tours, and slowed everything right down to ensure no mistakes in the run to the flag. He duly took the chequers and the final win – his first since last season’s Round 1 - way back in July 05. Doak was well worth his runner-up spot, with Christie very close at the flag too, ahead of Wayne W and McMillan.
Result: 976, 996, 962, 50, 944, 940, 963, 994, 70.

Next Round Ballymena Raceway Friday Sept 1^st.  Darren Black.


2007 World Series NI Round 4.
Ballymena Raceway, 18th August 2006

Darren Black reports:  The entry may have been poor, and the weather even worse, but the National Hot Rods still managed to produce a fantastic evening’s racing at Ballymena for NI WQ4 on Friday night. Wet weather expert Ronnie McMillan claimed the feature race win, after Keith Martin and Stewart Doak had shared the heats. Martin’s heat one win will go down as one of the best races to be seen on the Showgrounds raceway in many a day, and was easily worth the admission price on its own.

For differing reasons, from holidays to the Swaffham Spedeweekend, the entry boasted just eight cars, with the likes of Alvin Doak, Alan Wilson, Davy McCall, Will Scott, Wayne McClure and Ian Thompson snr all missing from the grid. Of those who were there, the only point of note was Gary Woolsey electing to revert to his Corsa rather than the 206cc which had shown promise at Hednesford.

Heat 1
After a couple of hours of constant rain the track was awash for heat one, and it would only deteriorate as the night went on. Clive Richardson had pole for this one, but the Co Armagh driver was obviously struggling to cope from the off and quickly fell off the pace. Wayne Woolsey took up the running, followed by new National Champion Keith Martin, Gary W and Connolly. Martin soon slipped inside Wayne as he looked for grip out wide, as everyone could be seen struggling with visors etc in the mass of spray amongst the pack. Wayne W wasn’t finished however, and he soon clawed his way back to the front, where he was joined by his brother Gary who took Martin on the outside. It now looked like a battle of the Woolsey’s for the win, but how wrong we all were…

Martin had again got the bit between his teeth, and used the wide outside line to pull himself alongside and then past Gary W for second, and then did exactly the same to Wayne with a lap to go to claim the win and a rapturous round of applause from the fans who knew just how good a drive they had just witnessed. Stewart Doak was the best of the rest in fourth, after he had shown great pace to zip past McMillan and Connolly after losing ground early on with an engine not firing on all cylinders.
Result: 994, 940, 50, 996, 77, 944, 976, 962.

Heat 2
Wet weather expert McMillan had pole for the second race of the night, but was kept in check initially by John Christie, who held on, on his outside, for a number of tours in a bid to snatch the lead. It wasn’t to be though, and John had to eventually give up both his fight for that lead, and second, to Stewart Doak. Further back Martin once again got the better of both Woolsey’s to move towards the front, where the impressive Doak ducked under McMillan to claim the win. Martin relieved Christie nearing the end to claim third, with Gary W and Wayne W rounding out the top 6.
Result: 996, 944, 994, 962, 940, 50, 77, 976.

Final
The reverse points chart final grid gave McMillan the advantage again in the final, where he hoped to avoid the spray from earlier which he described as “having a pressure washer fired in your face!” Ronnie led them away, but heat two winner Doak’s chances of getting to the front again disappeared at the entrance to turn 3, where the slightest of touches with Connolly left Stewart a passenger on such a saturated track. The Cirrus Plastics Corsa rotated through 270 degrees before being collected by an unsighted Christie. John was out on the spot, while Stewart got going again well behind the pack with significant near-side panel damage.

McMillan had settled into a decent lead this time though, and it looked like catching him could be a different story this time around. Martin was once again making a decent fist of it as he revelled in the horrendous conditions, although the many laps spent circulating side by side with Wayne W was most likely the escape McMillan was after. Keith eventually did make second, but McMillan was in sight of the flag and took his first final win of the ’07 campaign. Martin completed his excellent night in second, followed by Wayne W, Connolly, Richardson, Gary W and the recovering Doak.
Result: 944, 994, 50, 77, 976, 940, 996 nof.

Next round Nuttscorner Oval, Sunday  27th August, 2.30pm.  Darren Black.

2007 World Series NI Round 3.
Nutts Corner Oval 29th July 2006

Darren Black reports:  After Keith Martin and Clive Richardson had shared the heats, it was former Stock Rod World Champion Alan Connolly who came through for the victory spoils during NI World Series Round 3 at the ’06 Nuttscorner Oval Speedweekend.

Only eleven cars were on hand for this one, with Wayne McClure and Alvin Doak concentrating on their 2.0 Hot Rods in the British Championship, after racing with the Nationals the previous night. On the car front, everyone was as per Ballymena, except for Wayne Woolsey who was back in the 206cc after racing his Corsa the previous evening.

Heat One:  Martin was the first to show in heat one from Connolly, John Christie and Alan Wilson. Further back the previous night’s winner Stewart Doak was all over the back of an erratic Ian Thompson Snr, who was still finding his feet in the premier formula of oval racing. Doak eventually did find a way by, followed by Richardson and Ronnie McMillan, and these three then tried to reel in a superb dice between the Woolsey boys. Gary got the better of this for fifth at the flag, behind winner Martin, Connolly, Christie and Wilson.
Result: 994, 77, 962, 963, 940, 50, 996, 976, 944, 980, 801.

Heat Two:  Richardson and Doak had the front row between them in heat two, but everyone was brought up short when the two came together down the back straight, in an incident very similar to the last lap of this year’s World Final. McMillan got involved too and clouted the turn three wall hard, with the rest of the field disappearing off at various angles for a red flag.

The drivers were given a few minutes to exact any repairs necessary, with everyone bar the unlucky McMillan making the restart. Clive made no mistake this time though, leading throughout from Doak and Gary W. It wasn’t easy for the former British Champion though, as he slowed the pace right down nearing the end to ensure no mistakes, and thus allowing most of the field to take the flag line astern.
Result: 976, 996, 940, 50, 77, 994, 962, 801, 963, 980.

Final: McMillan was repaired in time for the feature race, whilst Thompson elected to start from the rear of this one rather than pole, leaving Wilson alone up front in his Audi TT.  “Scobie” has been showing much better of late, and soon settled into the lead from Connolly and Doak, who was after back-to-back wins. Points leader Christie had made significant progress towards the front early on, with Wayne W going the opposite direction in the 206cc.

Connolly tracked Wilson’s progress lap after lap, looking for the window of opportunity to present itself. The TT was under serious pressure towards the end, and soon Connolly and the train were through on the inside as Scobie dropped right off the pace. Gary W sneaked inside Richardson too to get himself onto the podium, while Connolly made a big mistake as he entered the back straight late on, but was fortunate enough to gather it all up before Doak could strike. Alan led them home to yet another final win in such a short National Hot Rod career, and now looks toward his international debut in the National Championships at Hednesford.
Result: 77, 996, 940, 976, 962, 994, 50, 944, 963, 801.

The next round of the series takes place at Ballymena Raceway on Fri 18^th August. Darren Black.

2007 World Series NI Round 2.
Ballymena Raceway 28th July 2006

Darren Black reports: Portadown driver Stewart Doak made up for the disappointment of Round 1 when he took the honours in NI World Series Round 2 at Ballymena Raceway on Friday night. Earlier in the evening the heats had been shared between Ronnie McMillan and Clive Richardson.

Thirteen cars were on hand for this one, with the most notable being Ian Thompson Senior in the British and National Championship winning Ludlow 206, giving it a spin to see if this old lark was as easy as son Ian Junior makes out at times. Wayne McClure also returned in his SWM Corsa, whilst we had lost Davy McCall, with both cars for sale and the close proximity of his own promotion’s Speedweekend keeping him away. Of the others, most were repaired and looking pristine after Round One’s shenanigans, and Wayne Woolsey, like brother Gary, this time preferred his Corsa to the new SHP 206cc.

Heat 1:  Ronnie McMillan led them off to start the nights proceedings in heat one, closely followed by Keith Martin and Stewart Doak. Alan Wilson had a very grassy moment towards turn 1 in his Audi TT – Alvin Doak being the big loser as Alan cannoned into the Cirrus Plastics 205. As McClure retired with a problem that would end his night, the top three had broken away leaving Wayne Woolsey with quite a queue behind him. Alan Connolly was the one at the sharp end of this queue, and was ducking and diving looking for a way past. He tried both inside and out, before Wayne was shown a blue and white flag which became immaterial as Connolly dropped off with fuel starvation problems.

McMillan led them home from Martin and Doak, with Wayne W next up ahead of his brother Gary and John Christie.
Result: 944, 994, 996, 50, 940, 962, 963, 976, 801, 77, 948, 980.

Heat 2:  The missing McClure left twelve cars for heat two, which soon became eleven when Thompson snr departed before the green flag was aired. Former British Champion Richardson made no mistake at the start, quickly settling into the early lead from Christie. As Alvin Doak got railroaded out of contention, Wilson caught the eye as he made third his own as the TT began to look more to his liking. Just behind Connolly was once again all over a Woolsey, this time Gary, and the former Stock Rod World Champion almost made it through on the inside into turn 3 which gave them both a moment apiece to gather up. Connolly was looking by far the fastest car on the track, although after a couple of attempts around the outside he just couldn’t make the move stick.

Richardson took the chequers with Christie in close attendance, followed by the impressive Wilson, who took third quite convincingly. Gary W, Connolly and S Doak rounded out the top six.
Result: 976, 962, 963, 940, 77, 996, 50, 944, 994, 980, 948.

Final: S Doak made a perfect start to the feature race and out-dragged Wilson into turn one to take up the running. Wilson got stuck on the dreaded outside which ruined his chances as McMillan and Martin moved through to second and third respectively. Ronnie was keeping Stewart honest as he stayed right with him, but didn’t seem to have enough to pull off a pass. A puff of smoke halfway down the home straight signalled the end of Connolly’s race, whilst joint points leader Wayne W, having a poor enough night as it was, compounded it all by spinning across the infield into retirement.

As the race progressed Martin was now right with the leading duo, and this was just what the doctor ordered for Doak. McMillan’s attentions were now switched to fending off the former World Champion, leaving Stewart clear to open up a gap that would take him to a morale-boosting victory. McMillan staved off Martin’s attempts to pass to hold onto second, ahead of Richardson, Gary W (who’d got around the #962 car nearing the end), Christie, Wilson and Will Scott, with Thompson snr and Alvin D rounding out the finishers.
Result: 996, 944, 994, 976, 940, 962, 963, 980, 801, 948.  Darren Black

2007 World Series NI Round 1.
Ballymena Raceway 21st July 2006

Darren Black reports: Alan Connolly claimed first blood in the 2007 NI World qualifying campaign when he took the final win at an action packed first round at Ballymena on Friday night.

Twelve cars in the pits was possibly less than some had expected, but still more than respectable despite Ian Thompson’s decision to race elsewhere this year, and Wayne McClure’s non-appearance. Of those in the pits, Wayne Woolsey stuck with his new SHP 206cc, whilst his brother Gary relied on the trusty Corsa instead of his similar model. Former World Champion Davy McCall put to bed fears of his retirement as he gave his self-built 206cc its home debut, although a full qualification attempt is most probably not on the cards.

Heat One:  The Woolsey Bros. had the front row to themselves in the first encounter of the night, and it was Wayne who grabbed the lead, with Stewart Doak and deposed World Champion Keith Martin falling into line in third and fourth. Alvin Doak was next up, but he was soon taken by John Christie and Clive Richardson. Alan Wilson then lunged at Alvin D too, the contact turning Alvin around and forcing McCall and Will Scott into spins too. As waved yellows flew for this, Stewart D also found himself spinning across the infield as he battled with Christie and Martin.

The cars were barely underway again when Wilson, perhaps with suspension damage after the earlier contact with Alvin D, came to rest against the wall just past the starter’s rostrum The yellows got an airing again, with Alvin D also retiring with a blown diff.

Off they went for part three, and Gary W almost got inside his brother at the start for the lead, but wisely backed out and avoided an almost certain collision into turn 1. Richardson had made a demon start from fourth and took to the outside of Martin looking for third, but ended up being railroaded right back down the order, given how most of the pack were running close together. Wayne W held on for the win, with Gary W second ahead of Martin, Connolly and Christie.
Result: 50, 940, 994, 77, 962, 944, 976, 942, 996 nof

Heat Two:  Alvin Doak’s diff problems saw him load up for the night, so we had eleven for heat two. With the two disruptions to heat one, few would have bet on that happening again – but happen it did. As the greens came out, Ronnie McMillan stalled on the outside of the front row – probably one of the scariest things you could do in a National. Connolly went straight into the back of the #944 machine, with Richardson doing likewise to Alan. Martin gave the Richardson car a glancing blow as the reds came out and the clean up began, with McMillan for one looking badly shaken.

There was a fair extent of damage to some of the cars, with crews working flat out to repair it in time for the restart. Richardson and Connolly had to admit defeat with broken radiator and suspension damage respectively, but Martin and miraculously McMillan made it – Ronnie’s usually immaculate machine looking decidedly second hand. McCall beat Ronnie away though, but we soon were brought to a halt again as Alan Wilson smacked the home straight wall hard and came to a halt in exactly the same position as in heat one.

At the third time of asking McMillan beat McCall away, as Davy fell right off the pace as his brakes had gone AWOL completely. Christie moved through to second, whilst Stewart D held off a determined challenge from Martin. Keith went for the outside, and both went deep into turn three allowing Gary W inside both, followed by his brother Wayne. Doak then lost a cylinder and dropped off the pace, while Martin grabbed a spot back from Wayne W.

McMillan was surprisingly, considering the earlier fracas, still holding sway at the front as the lap boards came out. Christie was all over him though, and entering the Fisherwick bend there was contact between the two, resulting in Ronnie spinning it all away. The Steward had witnessed it though, and John collected a black cross next time through before taking the chequers a lap later. Gary W finished second on the road ahead of Martin, Wayne W and McCall, which became the confirmed order when the steward took no action against Christie.
Result: 962, 940, 994, 50, 942, 944, 980, 996.

Final: Once again the same format as last season was in place, with the reverse of the final 2006 points chart declaring the grid for this one. Connolly and Richardson were back, but joined McMillan in the gaffer tape brigade – that for those panels that were still attached to the cars! McMillan again had the early lead, but a flat battery saw Ronnie lose power and Connolly stormed through to take it up from Richardson and McCall.

McCall was still struggling with his new mount, and soon Christie, Martin and the Woolsey brothers had deposed the Nuttscorner Oval promoter. Martin then took to the outside of Christie in a brave attempt for third, spending many laps alongside the 962 machine. The slightest of touches from the following Wayne W saw Keith drop back and eventually lose a spot to Wayne. Further back Stewart D was struggling in last as his engine problems from heat two reoccurred.

Connolly was clear at the front by now, easily taking the first win of the campaign. Richardson came home as runner-up, ahead of Christie, Wayne W, Martin, Gary W and McCall.

Result: 77, 976, 962, 50, 994, 940, 942, 980, 996.

The drivers now have a busy week ahead of them, with WQ2 scheduled for Ballymena on Friday night (7.30pm), before WQ3 takes place at Nuttscorner Oval on Saturday (5pm), as part of their 2006 Speedweekend. 
Darren Black


World Series 2006

World Series NI Round 14.  Final 2006 World Series points standings
Nutts Corner, May 27 2006

Darren Black reports: Ronnie McMillan and Keith Martin grabbed the glory at Nutts Corner Oval when the National Hot Rods contested their 14th and final World Championship qualifying round on Saturday night. Ronnie took yet another final victory at the venue while Keith held on to unofficially claim the NI Points Championship by just one point from Gary Woolsey.

It was a night of high drama, more off the track than on, which also boasted the return to Nationals of Wayne McClure, debuting a superb Vauxhall Corsa – built up from a Steve Wills frame. That gave us an excellent 14 car field, but the main talking point was the decision of the NHRPA to allow six cars from Ulster, as opposed to five, into the World Final to finally put the Round 10 “null and void” fiasco to bed once and for all.

Although some of the tension had disappeared to a certain extent, the final qualifying spot was still within the reach of Ian Thompson, and of course the NI Points Championship was also up for grabs. In view of this, Clive Richardson, Ronnie McMillan and Alan Connolly (all late entrants to the series) sportingly offered to start from the rear and abstain from the grid draw for the heats, thus allowing the seven main contenders to battle it out amongst themselves.

Thompson got away first from the outside of the front row in heat 1 to chop across Wayne Woolsey into turn 1. Ian had a big moment as he did so, and was lucky to hold it together to lead them into lap 1. These two opened a gap on the rest, who were battling tooth and nail amongst themselves. Stewart Doak got into turn one way too hot at one stage, losing the Cirrus Plastics man a number of places as a result. Despite a blue flag or two, Thompson led Wayne W home after a great scrap, with Davy McCall third ahead of Keith Martin (running with nephew Andy Best’s #949 2L Hot Rod door after the team forgot theirs!), Gary Woolsey and John Christie.
Result: 901, 50, 942, 994, 940, 962, 996, 976, 944, 77, 948, 963, 941, 980

Gary W had the front row to himself for heat two, and duly turned it into the early lead, although Christie almost snatched it away as Gary slid wide onto the back straight. Another mistake from Woolsey a few laps later almost saw John through again, but Gary once again staved off the challenge. Martin had his advantageous second row start come to nought as he got stuck on the outside of the train and railroaded to the back – were the first cracks starting to appear in his Points Championship lead? As Gary W stormed home to the win, McCall in sixth was using all his experience to keep a sharp looking Wayne W at bay, with Richardson joining in the fun nearing the end too. Gary W took the chequers, from Christie, Doak, Thompson and Martin.
Result: 940, 962, 996, 901, 994, 942, 50, 976, 963, 77, 944, 948, 980, 941.

Alan Wilson, McMillan and Connolly decided to take up their rightful starting positions for the final on the grid, supplied as usual by the NHRPA. Thompson was still not completely out of the qualifying picture, although he was looking at a retirement from his rivals to allow him in through the back door. At the top of the points, Gary W had come from nowhere almost to be within touching distance of Martin, who had led almost all season, going into the final race of the campaign.

Wilson led them away in the TT, and “Scobie” looked much more at home than he has since returning to the Nationals. He held on for quite a while, before running wide and allowing McMillan to take up a lead he would never lose. Connolly was running third, but had Thompson all over him like a rash. Ian nearly found a gap on the Airport bend, but a few laps later the gap appeared again and Ian was in like a shot. Connolly tried his best to defend, the result being the two entering the back straight at 90 degrees to each other. The whole field almost came to a halt with a loud crunch of kevlar, but fortunately they sorted themselves out and set off again after the leaders. Far too often the Nationals have produced follow the leader type racing in NI, such is the points situation, but here we had everyone going at it hammer and tongs in a cracking race. The Woolseys, Thompson, Doak and Martin swapped places time and again as the point’s championship lead swung one way and then the other, but the qualifying picture then came back to everyone’s attention as Christie began slowing. John had smashed his oil cooler in the early incident, and was now ailing in a major way.

McMillan reeled off the laps to take yet another impressive victory at Nutts Corner Oval, with Wilson posting his best result in second. Thompson slipped by Gary W near the end for third, with Wayne W fifth from Martin, Doak and McCall. This left Keith unofficially as the NI Points Champion once again by just a solitary point. Christie however had struggled with the oil light on since the lap boards had appeared, and John crawled home just ahead of McClure at the back to ensure World Final qualification, with the #962 motor seizing just after the flag.
Result: 944, 963, 901, 940, 50, 994, 996, 942, 976, 948, 962, 941.

Martin, Gary Woolsey, Doak, Wayne Woolsey, McCall and Christie now carry the Ulster hopes to Foxhall in early July, some possibly in all-new machinery. After such a competitive series, and some traffic this season that we usually lack, discount any from World Final glory at your peril. Darren Black

World Series NI Round 13
Nutts Corner, May 20 2006

Darren Black reports:  Ronnie McMillan made up for his last final win being declared null and void when he romped home to the feature race spoils at the thirteenth and penultimate round on Saturday night at Nutts Corner Oval.

Only eleven cars were on hand for this one, with Alan Wilson in the TT and Alvin Doak being the absentees from the usual runners this time around, although Alvin was on track during the night in his 2.0 Hot Rod. Ronnie McMillan and Will Scott had driveshaft and diff problems respectively during practice, with Will unfortunate enough to have to sit out heat 1 as the problem was rectified.

John Christie shared the front row for the opener with Keith Martin, and duly led them away from the clutch start into turn 1. John soon opened up a pretty decent lead, as Martin had his hands full fending off the Woolsey duo of Wayne and Gary. Back in the pack, Ian Thompson found a gap inside Alan Connolly to take sixth and then set his sights on Davy McCall for fifth. There was drama soon after as Stewart Doak saw his chances of World Series victory go out the window when he ground to a halt with a blown diff – we now knew where the oil going onto the track was coming from! Christie was setting a blinding pace up front though, and came home nearly half a lap to the good, with Martin second after a defensive drive against the Woolseys, with McCall in fifth after another bout of defensive action against Thompson.
Result: 962, 994, 50, 940, 942, 901, 77, 944, 976.

Thompson made no mistake from pole in heat two, but his fellow front row starter Clive Richardson had no such luck in his Peugeot 206cc. Try as he might to get into the train, Clive found himself relegated right to the back of the field. Doak settled into second as he tried to salvage something from his night – well aware that his heat 1 retirement had dropped him right back towards the big qualification scrap in the points table. Gary Woolsey was running third, but in a reverse of heat one had brother Wayne all over him like a rash. Thompson ran out the winner at the chequers, five car lengths up on Doak, Gary W and Wayne W. Connolly was next up, from McCall, Martin and Christie, who had tried hard on the outside of the World Champion throughout the race.
Result: 901, 996, 940, 50, 77, 942, 994, 962, 944, 976, 980.

The final grid as supplied by the NHRPA saw McMillan have the front row to himself, with Connolly and Richardson right behind on row 2. Ronnie was, as expected, first to show from Connolly, but Wayne W continued his great night but getting away ahead of Thompson in an excellent if audacious move. Both relegated Richardson to move third and fourth, with the #976 car settling into fifth and looking much better than of late. The top four were soon embroiled in a fantastic scrap – Connolly all over McMillan but at the same time withstanding Wayne W’s moves to try and snatch an inside pass, while Thompson kept a watching brief behind. Further back it was Christie’s turn to go on the defensive in seventh – John spending many tours fending off Gary W, Doak and Martin, who with nothing to lose kept trying the outside line. He overhauled Stewart a few times, but could just never make the move stick. At the sharp end though, McMillan held on for a fine win having been under immense pressure the full distance. Connolly was a good runner-up, ahead of Wayne W, who had a very productive evening points-wise. Thompson took fourth from Richardson, McCall and Christie.
Result: 944, 77, 50, 901, 976, 942, 962, 940, 996, 994, 980.

The 14th and final round takes place next Saturday evening, May 27th, at 7.30pm. It’s sure to be a very nervous affair, with Christie unofficially now the one in the sixth and “bump” position as regards World Final qualification. Darren Black.

World Series NI Round 12
Ballymena Raceway May 12 2006

Darren Black reports:  Ballymoney’s Alan Connolly continued his excellent form since acquiring the ex-Neal Smith Peugeot 206 with another fine final victory at Ballymena last Friday night.

Once again thirteen rods were in action, with Ian Thompson fully repaired after his mechanical woes of the previous week, and Clive Richardson once again had the 206CC out for another shakedown as the Horta Soils team work to perfect their new machine.

Ronnie McMillan had the front row to himself for heat one, but Thompson had a stormer from inside row two and squeezed inside the Kells driver into turn 1 to take it up. Next time around Ronnie found Stewart Doak on his inside too, and try as he might to shut the door, Doak was through to second. Keith Martin grabbed third with McMillan slotting into fourth ahead of John Christie, Davy McCall and Gary Woolsey. Wayne Woolsey spent a number of laps gamely hanging in there on the wide outside early on, and later a coming together on the back straight with Christie saw both young drivers do very well to keep things on the island. McMillan retired near the end with gearbox failure, which finished his night prematurely, as Thompson showed that despite his Round 11 disaster, he still hasn’t given up on World Final qualification with a great win from Doak, Martin and McCall. Result: 901, 996, 994, 942, 940, 50, 962, 77, 976, 963, 980, 948.

Only twelve rods for heat two (this time last year we were talking of only four or five for an entire meeting!!), with Gary Woolsey taking up the running from the off. Davy McCall, looking much, much better than of late following some hard work on the #942 car also made a decent start to hold second ahead of former Stock Rod World Champ Connolly. Christie was fourth, at the head of a train consisting of Wayne W, Doak, Thompson and Martin, with no-one really prepared to risk the outside at this stage of the points race. McCall kept Woolsey honest all the way to the flag, and the two were followed home by Connolly, Christie, Wayne W and Doak.
Result: 940, 942, 77, 962, 50, 996, 901, 994, 976, 963, 948.

Clive Richardson had loaded up before the final leaving just 11 cars, and whatever the reason behind it, it was good to see Alan Wilson and Will Scott take up their rightful positions on the final grid, but things couldn’t really have gone much worse for the duo. Wilson was the first to find trouble, as some problem or other prevented him from even taking the start. At the off Connolly took advantage of his front of grid start to set off into the early lead that was expected of him, whilst behind in the main pack all sorts of trouble was brewing. Lots of paint swapping led to Scott finding himself at 90 degrees to both the pit wall and John Christie as the reds got an airing.

Connolly again made no mistake at the second time of asking, and as the main pack found a way past Scott, Will ran wide entering the back straight. The only problem was that Doak was already there, and for the second time this series the Ballymena spectators got a great view of the underbody of an SHP Corsa, although thankfully without too much damage this time as Stewart was able to continue on his way. As Connolly built a lead that would never be challenged, Thompson was fighting off an attack from Wayne W, and this duo were soon joined by Christie and McCall. Scott retired from what was probably his most eventful race in quite a while, as Connolly picked off the laps to claim his second final win in two weeks – and this time he even got the celebratory doughnuts spot on afterwards!! Make no mistake about it, the current grid system does give Alan an advantage for the final, but he was lapping at a speed right with the rest of the top runners and will most certainly be a force to be reckoned with during next years qualifying campaign and at any championship meetings. Thompson claimed second from Wayne W, Christie, McCall and Gary W.
Result: 77, 901, 50, 962, 942, 940, 996, 994, 948.

The NI World Series now moves on to Nutts Corner Oval for the final two rounds, on Saturdays 20th and 27th of May, 7.30pm. Darren Black.

World Series NI Round 11
Ballymena Raceway May 5 2006

Darren Black reports:  Having no-scored throughout the heats with half-shaft trouble, Alan Connolly showed just what a good addition he will be to the National Hot Rods when he took an emphatic final victory during NI World Series 11 at Ballymena Raceway.

The number of cars on hand rose yet again for this one, with former British Open Champion Clive Richardson returning to the fold in his brand new SHP/Renegade Racing Peugeot 206cc to give a more than respectable 13 car entry.

Connolly looked to have the chance to get his night off to the best possible start in heat 1 when he drew pole slot on the grid, but this came to nought when he coasted into retirement early on with a broken half shaft. This allowed the previous round’s final “winner” Ronnie McMillan to take up the running from Gary Woolsey and Wayne Woolsey, who was struggling with a car that was sounding far from healthy. Stewart Doak launched an immediate attack to take Wayne’s third spot round the outside, only for Wayne to defend ruthlessly lap after lap. At the front, Gary W had relieved McMillan of the lead, as Ronnie struggled with sticking brakes. This dropped him into the clutches of the rest, and was the opportunity Doak and the following Davy McCall needed to swoop round both the #50 and #944 rods into second and third respectively. Ian Thompson was then dealt a major blow in his World Final qualification quest as he trundled to a halt with a broken driveshaft, and was joined in retirement by McMillan and Alan Wilson in the Audi TT. Gary W ran out the first victor of the night, from Doak, McCall, Wayne W, Keith Martin and John Christie.
Result: 940, 996, 942, 50, 994, 962, 980, 976, 948.

The grid was two short for heat two, as Thompson still hadn’t sourced a suitable replacement shaft and watched from the terraces as his Ipswich hopes all but evaporated. Connolly was another absentee – he had borrowed a half shaft, but found that the brake discs wouldn’t fit back on as the replacement wasn’t exactly the same! Martin led them away at the green flag, with Christie, Doak, McCall and Wayne W settling in behind. Wayne was sounding much more like the thing this time around, and was soon putting McCall under pressure for fourth. He took to the outside, but former World Champion McCall used all his experience to keep the younger Woolsey at bay, Wayne actually losing out to brother Gary in the final shake up. For the record, Martin took the win, from Christie, Doak, McCall, Gary W and Wayne W.
Result: 994, 962, 996, 942, 940, 50, 944, 976, 963, 980, 948.

Connolly had made good his ex-Neal Smith 206 for the final, and duly took up his front row start. Also returning was Thompson as he desperately tried to salvage something from an awful night. It wasn’t to be however, as the British Open and National Championship-winning machine ground to a halt once again on the warm-up laps. Connolly stepped into the initial lead from McMillan, and Richardson, who had decided to take up his allocated position on the grid after starting both heats from the back. The main pack of qualification challengers came next, with Christie at the head of the pack from Wayne W. McCall was gamely hanging on from his outside start alongside Wayne, but after spending several laps out there had to make a very audacious move in front of Martin to get back into the train. Further back Doak was at the rear of the pack, and with nothing to lose was the only one prepared to look for a pass, but in the end settled back behind the World Champion’s #994 car. All this was of no concern to Connolly though, and he came through to take the chequered flag over a quarter of a lap to the good following a very impressive drive. Richardson gave McMillan plenty to think about nearing the finish, but had to settle for third, ahead of Christie, Wayne W, Gary W, McCall and Martin.
Result: 77, 944, 976, 962, 50, 940, 942, 994, 996, 963, 980, 948
Next round May 12th Ballymena Raceway. Darren Black.

Revised points after round 10

World Series NI Round 10
Nutts Corner Oval, April 22, 2006

Darren Black reports:  Ronnie McMillan confirmed his return to National Hot Rods with a fine win in the feature race final during Round 10 of World Series NI at Nutts Corner Oval. Ronnie took a flag to flag victory to hold off Alan Connolly, Gary Woolsey and World Champion Keith Martin in a blanket finish in the wet conditions which saw the top 8 cross the line almost as one. Earlier Davy McCall had taken heat one in greasy conditions, before Stewart Doak grabbed heat two with the track now awash.

Once again twelve cars were in attendance, although Alvin Doak had preferred racing his 2.0 Hot Rod this time around, with his place being taken by welcome Republic of Ireland visitor Pat Casey. Wayne Woolsey practiced in both his Corsa and 206, before plumping for the Corsa for the racing proper.

Heat 1
< 77   942  50   994   940             980 99
< 901  962 944  996                       963
Connolly stepped off pole to lead them away from the rolling start in heat 1, with the track still very greasy from early evening rain. Off line the racing surface was more than tricky, as Thompson found out as he was hung out to dry from his front row start and lost places hand over fist. Connolly was under pressure at the front from McCall, and a small mistake exiting turn 4 from the former Stock Rod World Champ turned out to be just what McCall was waiting for and he moved through on the inside on the next bend to take it up. Further back Martin got an inside run on Wayne W, which led to the Portadown driver being the next to be relegated to the rear of the train. John Christie had joined McCall at the front, and was putting him under intense pressure, with Martin now having the same feeling as the pack backed up behind the #994 Peugeot. Gary Woolsey bravely took to the outside of Martin but eventually had to concede and drop right back into the queue, before Stewart Doak had a look as well nearing the end, only to have it scuppered by Martin. McCall held on to record the night’s first win, from Christie, Martin and McMillan.
Result: 942, 962, 994, 944, 996, 901, 940, 50, 77, 963 980, (99).

Heat 2
<          996 944  962 901        980  99
<  940 994  50    942   77          963 
As expected Gary Woolsey was the first to show in heat 2, this after the entire field had been allowed to leave the track for wets as the rain started falling heavily as they were taking to the grid. Doak was looking good in the wet conditions, and soon found a gap inside to take the lead, as McMillan also revelled in his favoured weather to take third from the World Champion. Christie was next to look for a way by Martin on the outside, only for a cheeky Thompson to stick his nose in and make it three abreast down the home straight in a fantastic scrap. Christie was forced real wide into turn 1, while McCall got inside Thompson as he couldn’t make the outside pass on Martin, Christie following the former World Champion back through past the #901 machine. Doak came home victorious in this one from Gary W and McMillan, with Martin heading home a close pack of McCall, Christie, Thompson and Connolly.
Result: 996, 940, 944, 994, 942, 962, 901, 77, 50, 963, 980.

Final
<  944           901 50   940 994         980   99    *Grid as supplied by NHRPA
<  77           962  942 996               963                Gaps left as necessary
There was drama before the start of the final, as Thompson was pushed to the infield with mechanical trouble. A quick fix got him going again and he joined the field on the rolling lap from the back with no clutch, his favourable grid position gone. The track was still soaking wet, and self confessed rain-man McMillan took up the early running, from Connolly, now looking well at home in the ex-Neal Smith rod. An early clash with Wayne W saw Christie give the home straight wall a glancing blow before the yellows got an airing with Alan Wilson’s Audi TT in a precarious position on turn 4. McMillan led away the restart, before Wilson again found himself out of shape and against the wall. A battle royal was developing at the front, with McMillan, Connolly and Gary W being joined by Martin in the battle for the lead. Martin was looking in the best shape he had all night, and soon took to the wide outside line. For the next number of laps we were given a master class of hot rod driving as the World Champion hauled himself alongside Woolsey, and then Connolly. Lap after lap he hung in there on the tricky outside line that had claimed many victims across the classes during the night. Doak, a recovering Christie, and Thompson joined the leading pack nearing the end but McMillan held on for a great win after a fantastic race. Connolly held onto second, with Gary W third and a gallant Martin fourth after the drive of the race. Doak, Christie, Thompson and McCall were next up.
Result: 944, 77, 940, 994, 996, 962, 901, 942, 980, 50, (99).

A great evening’s entertainment served up by the Nationals, especially the final which was as good a National Hot Rod race as has been seen in the province for many a year. If this is what the wet serves up, I’m sure we could cope with it every night just fine!

Next round Ballymena Raceway Friday May 5th. Darren Black.

World Series NI Round 9
Ballymena Raceway April 14 2006

Darren Black reports:  Having shared the heats with Gary Woolsey, it was Ian Thompson who took the final honours when the National Hot Rods returned after the winter break with an encouraging 12 car entry at Ballymena on Good Friday.

With the “perm-any-5-from-7” situation as to the Ulster World Final qualifiers keeping everyone’s attention, there was also a welcome quartet of NHR returnees to bolster the field, led by former Stock Rod multi-champion Alan Connolly in the ex-Neal Smith Ludlow 206 – the Englishman even on hand to guide Alan through his maiden outing with the car. Alan Wilson also returned after quite a gap too, as the new owner of the Lea Wood TT Silhouette that Clive Richardson had taken in part exchange for his Tigra late last year. Also back in action were Alvin Doak in the revamped ex-McKellar 205, and Ronnie McMillan in his immaculate ex-Richardson 206, raced of late by Ian Thompson at Nutts Corner Oval and of course by World Champion Keith Martin in South Africa. The usual suspects were all in their normal steeds, save for Wayne Woolsey who reverted back to his Corsa having raced the 206 at the turn of the year.

Heat 1
< 944  962   50  77   901           980 963
< 940  942 996  994                 948
Both McMillan and Connolly took part in the grid draws to join the main field at the start, although Ronnie did pull to the rear after the warm up laps. That left Gary W on his own at the front, and he, as expected, led them away into turn one, ahead of John Christie in his refettled Fiesta and Wayne W. This trio opened up a gap to the rest, being led by Stewart Doak from Davy McCall and Martin, with Thompson and Connolly right in the mix too. As Wayne W had a look outside Christie for second, further back Martin was trying the same on McCall, before Thompson found the slightest of gaps inside the World Champion to move ahead, bringing the impressive Connolly through with him. Gary W took the first chequers of the night though, from Christie, Wayne W and Doak. Further back Connolly ran wide on the last tour to hand seventh back to Martin.
Result: 940, 962, 50, 996, 942, 901, 994, 77, 948, 944, 963.

Heat 2
<          994  996 942  940       963   948
<  901   77    50    962 944        980
Like Gary W in the previous race, Thompson had row 1 all to himself, and the National and British Open Champion never looked back as he immediately pulled a lead on the rest of the field. Martin was running second with Connolly holding his own in third. S Doak was hanging onto fourth but with a far from perfect handling car was in defensive mode, backing Wayne W, McCall, Gary W and Christie up behind him. Wayne looked outside Stewart a few times, but such is the points situation that two points gained by taking the risk on the outside pass was easily out-weighed by the chance of losing a whole stack by being railroaded to the back of the pack, so Wayne stayed put. As Thompson strolled to an easy victory over Martin and Connolly, all hell broke loose on the final couple of tours in the pack. McCall was helped big-time into turn 1, either by Gary W or perhaps from even further back. As the #942 car ran wide, Gary W had his nose inside in a shot and McCall tried his best to hold onto what was sixth position. The old adversaries traversed turn two and half the back straight at all sorts of angles, both keeping it on the island in the end although Woolsey did lose a place to Christie in the shake up as they ran to the line.
Result: 901, 994, 77, 996, 50, 942, 962, 940, 963, 944, 948, 980.

Final
< 901  50   942 994        944 963
< 962  940 996  77                 948  980
The current grid system gave Thompson and Christie the front row for the final, and Ian made no mistake to take it up at the green flag. Christie snatched the inside and second into turn one, before being clouted hard by Wayne W in the hectic first bend. John held on well when others could have lost it, and Gary W swooped past his brother to take up third. As the field sorted themselves out, Martin was a major benefactor of it all, as he now appeared in fifth after just 1 lap, whilst Stewart Doak found himself relegated right down behind Ronnie McMillan in 8^th, as did Connolly. Alan Wilson, whether with damage from the incident or mechanical gremlins, came to a rest in turn 3 against the wall in his gorgeous Audi, but the car was deemed to be far enough off the racing line to continue. Thompson continued out front, with some breathing space from Christie, all the way to the flag to record his sixth final victory of the campaign, although still not enough to get him onto the qualification spots for Ipswich given his missed meeting early on and his retirement last time out. Gary W claimed third from brother Wayne, Martin and McCall. McMillan bounced back from earlier diff trouble to get in amongst the established names in this one and grab seventh, whilst the main interest for most of the race was the battle for eighth between S Doak and Connolly, in which the Portadown man just got the upper hand.
Result: 901, 962, 940, 50, 994, 942, 944, 996, 77, 948.

Quite an entertaining meeting all round, and an entry which bodes well for the future, especially with the likes of Richardson, McClure and Foster still to come. Next meeting is Saturday April 22nd, Nutts Corner Oval for Round 10.  Darren Black

World Series NI Round 8
Ballymena Raceway Dec 31 2005

Darren Black reports:  Wayne Woolsey reverted back to his more usual Peugeot 206 for the first time since the National Championships and duly took the final honours at Ballymena on New Years Eve, after brother Gary and Davy McCall had claimed the heat wins in the greasy conditions.

In total ten cars were in attendance, the most notable being Lloyd Fowler in the ex-Wood Audi TT, which was taken in part exchange by Clive Richardson for his Tigra. Will Scott stuck once again with his trusty Fiesta, whilst the Woolsey boys both had new paint schemes on show.

Heat 1
< 50   901   962   942   980 937
<994 996  940               32
There was drama for Ian Thompson before the opening race even got underway when the exhaust tried to part company with the#901 machine during the warm up laps, leaving Ian a reluctant spectator. Wayne Woolsey took up the running from the off ahead of World and European Champion Keith Martin. Keith soon relieved Wayne of the lead but also showing well was Gary Woolsey, and he soon relegated his brother to go second. John Christie was the next to look inside the #50 Peugeot, but the door was slammed firmly shut by Wayne, allowing Stewart Doak to capitalise and claim John’s fourth spot. The battle was raging at the head of the field now, and Gary W found the slightest of gaps under Martin through the Fisherwick bend and after completing the pass down the back straight went on to take the first win of the day. Martin held on for the runner up spot, with Wayne W third from Doak, Christie, McCall and Lloyd Fowler.
Result: 940, 994, 50, 996, 962, 942, 937, 980, 32.

Heat 2
<          940 996  994   980
< 942  962 901  50      32
Thompson was repaired and back in action for heat two, but unfortunately Fowler and the Richardson team had problems with the TT, which saw them call it a quits for the day. McCall had the front row to himself, and quickly converted his outside line start to a tight inside line to lead them away. Davy though got into big bother on the treacherous Fisherwick bend early on, the #942 rod being on full opposite lock as the former World Champion fought to save the car from spinning completely. Christie shot around the outside to take it up, but the others, headed by Gary W, all had to hesitate as McCall gathered things together. Gary easily took up second down the back straight, with Martin soon moving to third. Christie was laughing though, and as the race settled down he now had a handsome lead of over half a straight. With quite a few laps completed, the steward belatedly, and bizarrely, decided that McCall had deliberately impeded the others at the start of the race when he had almost lost it on the slippery track, and threw a red flag. The whole stadium wondered what was going on, and then unbelievably we had a complete restart, and Christie’s lead was gone!!

Once everything had settled into some kind of order, off we went again, and McCall made no mistake this time and set off into an early lead from Gary W and Christie. John made it through into second, before running wide and being railroaded right out of contention. McCall came home to take the chequers, ahead of Doak who had relieved Gary W of second nearing the end, but Stewart would lose two places to the steward for some indiscretion or other along the way. Gary W was therefore elevated back to second ahead of Thompson, Doak and a no doubt disappointed Christie, who should really have been celebrating the win. A race that certainly won’t be forgotten in a hurry…
Result: 942, 940, 901, 996(x-2), 962, 50, 994, 980, 32.

Final
< 901  50   942 994    32
< 962  940 996          980
Of those taking up their rightful positions for the final, Thompson and Christie shared the front row as those “lowest” in the points chart, with the Woolsey brothers making up row two. The front row headed for turn one side by side at the green, and both ran straight on into the corner, gifting Wayne W a gap that he just couldn’t refuse. Wayne duly took the lead from a recovered Christie, Doak and pole man Thompson who slotted into fourth ahead of McCall, Martin and Gary W, who lost a lot of ground early on. Christie was under pressure from Doak - Stewart looking good in the repaired Corsa after its massive Tipperary shunt – and the Portadown man soon slipped under John to go second and head off after the leader.  Further back both Martin and Gary W had relegated McCall, but all eyes were now on the battle for the lead. Doak looked at a couple of half chances, but Wayne was in control to come home to claim the silverware. Third fell to Christie, from Thompson and Martin, who now heads off to South Africa for a months racing in the sun. Gary W, McCall, Will Scott and Stevie Williams completed the runners.
Result: 50, 996, 962, 901, 994, 940, 942, 980, 32.
Darren Black

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World Series NI Round 7
Nutts Corner Oval October 2 2005

Darren Black reports:  Ian Thompson claimed the final honours for the fourth time in the 2006 qualifying campaign when he took the final during Round 7 at Nutts Corner Oval. What made this all the more impressive was that he was behind the wheel of an unfamiliar car, Ronnie McMillan’s newly acquired ex-Richardson 206 being pressed into service, Ian having damaged his own in a crash during practice.

In total 10 cars were on hand for this one, the main point of note being the return of 2.0 Litre star man McMillan in the former Richardson 206. Having only taken delivery of the car the previous day, it still looked splendid with local sign writer Ryan Wright only having finished it off at 5am on race day. However, when Thompson smacked the wall in practice with no chance of making the grid for heat1, the 944 return was put on ice as Ronnie kindly loaned the British and National champion his new steed for the day to keep Ian in touch in the points race, a gesture greatly appreciated by Thompson and his team.

Heat 1
< 942  994 940  50  980
< 962  996 901          32
Nine cars set off then for heat 1, with Davy McCall (942) stepping of pole spot to lead them away. Fellow front row man John Christie (962) wasn’t so lucky, as he got stuck outside and was rail-roaded all the way down the field. World Champion (994) Keith Martin was in second ahead of Gary Woolsey (940), the Portadown man looking menacing as he challenged Martin on a number of occasions. At the rear of the main pack, Christie was trying desperately to fight back, and he took to the outside of Ian Thompson (901) who was still settling into his unfamiliar cockpit. John completed a great move down the home straight, but was then helped into turn 1 by Thompson, causing the #962 Fiesta to make contact with Wayne Woolsey’s Corsa. Wayne fought for control right through turns 2 and 3 but ultimately spun out, with Thompson collecting a black cross next time through. At the front McCall had a comfortable lead and he easily took the flag, the “Sunday driver” looking quite the part on this particular Sabbath afternoon. Martin held onto second, ahead of Gary W and Stewart Doak (996).
Result: 942, 994, 940, 996, 962, 980, 32, 901(x-2), 50.

Heat 2
<        901 996 962      32
< 50 940  994 942  980
Wayne W slithered away from his lonely front row start to lead Thompson in heat 2, but the reds were soon flying when Gary W. clattered the home straight fence having been spat out of the pack exiting turn 4. With the #940 in a dangerous position against the wall in turn 1 with severe front-end damage, the field were brought to a halt for a complete restart. Wayne W made no mistake once again at the second time of asking to take it up, with Thompson looking much more comfortable in second this time. That’s how it stayed to the flag, with Doak in third ahead of Christie and McCall. Doak was originally docked two places for the Gary W incident, but following a Stewards inquiry and viewing of a video this was rescinded and classed as a racing incident.
Result: 50, 901, 996, 962, 942, 994, 980, 32.

Final
< 50 962  940 994    980
<901 942 996               32
The NW Developments team had made a great effort to get the #940 car back on track for the final, but it was Thompson who made a fantastic start at the drop of the flag to grab the lead into turn one ahead of Wayne W. Christie and McCall were in close contention too, but no-one seemed too desperate to try the outside line – once again probably with the points chart in mind. True to form, step forward the World Champion, and Keith set off on a blinding outside line charge. First he demoted McCall, then Christie and next he had dragged himself alongside Wayne W for second. The bumper crowd absolutely loved this, and they could be seen willing the gold roofed #994 car on down the back straight. Keith held on for a number of laps, but had to eventually concede defeat as he fell back to fourth ahead of McCall. Behind the main pack, Gary W was obviously struggling with a far from perfect car following his earlier accident, and he was strenuously defending sixth from Doak and Will Scott (980). It all ended in tears when Doak accidentally bounced off the back of the red Corsa entering the back straight. Gary was left with a badly fouling left rear tyre, whilst Stewart had speared into the wall damaging his front suspension. Luckily there were only 3 laps to go and both dragged their cars home for valuable points, Gary actually finishing with a tyre almost off the rim. No such troubles for Thompson though, as he brought the borrowed McMillan 206 home for yet another feature race victory, ahead of Wayne W, Christie and Martin.
Result: 901, 50, 962, 994, 942, 980, 940, 32, 996.

The drivers now have a well-earned rest from World Qualifying until Round 8 at Ballymena Raceway on December 31st.  Darren Black.
Ian Thompson Jnr. has been in touch with nationalhotrod.com, asking if he could publicly express his thanks to Ronnie for the generous and kind loan of the 944 National Hot Rod.

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World Series NI Round 6
Ballymena, Friday September 23rd 2005

Colin Adair reports:  Ian Thompson continued his liking for the even numbered rounds of the current qualifying series as the British & National Champion won the feature race at Round 6 to add to his previous successes in Rounds 2 and 4. The two heats featured flag to flag victories for Thompson and Davy McCall, while the final included a black flag for Gary Woolsey. All the usual suspects were amongst the nine entrants on a dry evening at Ballymena Raceway with Will Scott back behind the wheel of his immaculate Peugeot 206.

Heat One
901 940 50 942 980
996 994 962  32
Thompson stepped off pole into the lead as Doak dropped into second and fellow outside starters Martin and Christie filtered into fourth and fifth behind Gary W. As the race settled down the leader gradually began to pull clear of the field with Doak equally secure in second. The positions remained constant until the closing stages when Wayne W attempted to break the stalemate with a brave bid to snatch fifth from Christie. After sitting outside the #962 Fiesta for a number of laps Wayne could not make the move stick and was obliged to drop back again, losing a place to McCall in the process. At the flag Thompson had secured a convincing victory from Doak and Gary W.
Result:  1st. 901, 2nd. 996, 3rd. 940, 4th. 994, 5th. 962, 6th. 942, 7th. 50, 8th. 980, 9th. 32

Heat Two
 962 994 996 980
942 50 940 901 32
Heat two followed a similar pattern to the first with McCall this time taking a comfortable flag to flag win. While Wayne W successfully swooped in between Christie and Martin to grab third, fellow outside starter Gary W was unable to find a gap in the chain and got railroaded back to seventh. The first four were soon well spread out and once again the only battle was over the minor positions as Doak, Thompson and Gary W scrapped over fifth. With Doak increasingly on the defensive over the closing laps Thompson was tempted into a bold lunge around the outside of the #996 Corsa. Like Wayne W in the first heat, Thompson could not complete the manoeuvre and conceded a place to Gary W for his trouble. McCall eased up over the final few tours, which allowed Christie to cross the line on his back bumper, followed by Wayne W and Martin.
Result:  1st. 942, 2nd. 962, 3rd. 50, 4th. 994, 5th. 996, 6th. 940, 7th. 901, 8th. 980, 9th. 32

Final
 962 942 994 980
901 50 940 996 32
Thompson started alone on the front row for the final and once safely away from the start line always looked like converting this into another triumph. All attention was fixed onto the battle for second between Christie, Wayne W and McCall. Stuck on the outside line off the grid Wayne W was forced to make the best of the situation with a concerted effort to perfect the pass around Christie he could not accomplish in the first heat. Unfortunately for Wayne history repeated itself and finally, after some rubbing between the trio through Fisherwick bend, he was forced behind Christie and McCall. Mercifully for Wayne his brother Gary was next in the pack and allowed his sibling space to get back onto the inside line going down the back straight. Wayne’s eventful lap was far from over however, as the #50 car appeared to carry way too much speed into the turnstile bend and cannoned into the back of the #942 car. As McCall gathered up that moment and got himself back on line Gary W tried to take advantage of the situation by launching himself into the slightest gap up the inside of the #942 car. It was a very ambitious move and contact was made between the pair entering Fisherwick bend, indeed the 2002 World Champion did well to keep the thing pointing in the right direction, although he fell behind Martin in the ensuing melee. Gary W would forfeit any chance of a place as the #940 driver received a black flag on his next tour passed the starters rostrum. None of this was any concern to the leader of course and Thompson serenely completed the remaining laps to record his second win of the night. With the field now scattered there were no further places changes as Christie crossed the line for second, ahead of Wayne W, Martin, a recovered McCall and Doak. The remaining finishers were Scott and Stevie Williams. After an investigation by the race officials into the events of the race Wayne Woolsey was docked two places in the final result and Gary Woolsey’s penalty was reduced from a black flag to a black cross.
Result:  1st. 901, 2nd. 962, 3rd. 994, 4th. 942, 5th. 50 (x2), 6th. 996, 7th. 980, 8th. 32

World Series Round Seven (Northern Ireland) takes place at Nutts Corner Oval on Sunday 2nd October 2005 with a 2:30 p.m. start time. Colin Adair.
Thanks very much to Colin for keeping us up to date with the Northern racing whilst Darren is away.

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World Series NI Round 5
Nutts Corner Oval, Sat. September 17 2005

Darren Black reports:  Following a disappointing and rather unfortunate showing earlier in the month at the British Open Championship, Crumlin racer John Christie had a smile back on his face when he claimed the final honours during NI World Series Round 5 at Nutts Corner Oval on Saturday September 17. On a night of fast and furious action on the tight but fast Co Antrim raceway, the heat wins fell to Wayne Woolsey and points leader Stewart Doak.

Nine cars were in action, the “big seven” as they are now known joined by Will Scott, again back in his older SWM Fiesta, and Stevie Williams, now with his Corsa fully sign written, and looking very smart too.

Heat 1
<  50  901  940 996
< 942  962 994          980  32
Wayne Woolsey (50) was the first to show in heat one, with 2002 World Champ Davy McCall (942) doing well to slot the #942 car into second ahead of newly crowned British Open Champion Ian Thompson jnr (901). Indeed Thompson was lucky to be still in contention early on, as a wild moment down the back straight saw his 206 fish-tailing from side to side as he fought for control, almost wiping out John Christie (962) to name but one. Ian soon gathered things together, and as Wayne W pulled clear at the front Ian set about wrestling second from McCall. Thompson was no doubt the quicker, but slight contact into turn 1 saw McCall run wide and Ian move through. McCall quickly came back across his bows, and almost got t-boned before getting spat to the outside of the pack and down to seventh. Thompson took second but collected a black cross next time through as he closed the gap on the leader. Further back Gary Woolsey (940) had moved through to third with Stewart Doak (996) on his tail. Wayne W took the flag but with a much reduced lead over Thompson, with Gary W, Doak, Keith Martin (994) and Christie next in line. Thompson was however dropped 2 places in the final analysis after a steward’s enquiry.
Res: 50, 940, 996, 901(x-2), 994, 962, 942, 980, 32.

Heat 2
<          994 962  942
< 996  940 901  50     980  32
Doak made no mistake in heat two, as he quickly got into the groove to pull a gap on the rest of the field. Gary W was the big loser from his outside line start as he dropped back into the pack leaving World Champion Martin in second ahead of Christie and McCall. Indeed as Doak cruised home to the win, the race developed into three two-way battles between Martin and Christie for second, McCall and Gary W for fourth, and Wayne W and Thompson for sixth. There were a few blue flags shown, and for the most part those ahead held a good inside line and were each successful in defending their places to the line.
Res: 996, 994, 962, 942, 940, 50, 901, 980, 32.

Final
< 962  942 940  996       32
< 901  50    994                 980
The final once again saw Will Scott (980) and Stevie Williams (32) elect to start from the rear, leaving the top (magnificent??) seven in the points chart to battle for the final honours. As Christie led them away in this one all eyes were on turn two leading onto the back straight, where the track conditions were tricky, if not treacherous, on the outside following an incident in the previous race. The marshals tried their best to mop it up, but it was always going to cause problems. Thompson was first to find it, and he dealt the wall just a glancing blow and then Wayne W hit it even harder, causing damage to the #50 Corsa. McCall and Gary W were laughing from their inside starts, but the big beneficiary was points leader Doak, who found himself in a remarkable third position, between McCall and Gary W, from the rear of the grid. Thompson recovered to slot into fifth, but Wayne W was circulating very slowly with his damaged car, even stopping on several occasions against the wall. For safety reasons on such a fast and tight oval he was banished to the centre green by the Steward. With the outside line seemingly not an option, it seemed that we were in for a repeat of the last Ballymena final with no one prepared to risk the wide line in fear of being relegated to the back. McCall held in tight inside the marked line and Doak bravely had a look outside him, and sure enough he soon found himself right back in seventh spot. As Stewart began the fightback he collected a black cross for contact on Martin to add to his woes, but all the time Christie was just driving off into the distance to record a very handsome victory. McCall finished a clear second after Gary W had a moment on the tricky turn 2 which dropped him from Davy’s bumper into the clutches of Thompson. Gary held him off for third, with Martin fifth ahead of Scott, Williams and a docked Doak.
Res: 962, 942, 940, 901, 994, 980, 32, 996(x-2). Nof

World Series NI continues next Friday night (Sep 23) at Ballymena, before Round 7 takes place back at Nutts Corner Oval on Sunday 2nd October (2.30pm), and not Saturday 1st as previously advertised.
Darren Black

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NI World Series Round 4
Ballymena Raceway Fri August 26 2005

Darren Black reports: After missing the previous week’s action due to a holiday, Ian Thompson picked up where he left off with another fine display to claim victory in NI World Series Round 4 at Ballymena Raceway on August 26. Current NI Champion Davy McCall and Stewart Doak had earlier shared the heat wins in a field that boasted 10 cars, including visitor Neville Stanley from the Republic. Neville was no doubt using the meeting as a test session after the rebuild of his Puma from its Hednesford accident, before the Southern World Series started later in the weekend. Stevie Williams made his Ballymena debut in the Nationals in the ex-Skitmore Corsa. Heavy rain during the day had thankfully stopped by start time, but left a very tricky outside line for the whole evening.

Heat 1
< 962  994 940  996       32  967
< 942    50  901
Only nine cars for heat 1, as Will Scott (980) still hadn’t arrived at the stadium. Davy McCall (942) made a blinding start to wriggle in front of pole man John Christie (962) into turn one, whilst last week’s final winner Wayne Woolsey (50), still in his father’s Corsa, had a nightmare as he got stuck on the outside. Things weren’t much better for his brother Gary Woolsey (940), as fuel starvation troubles saw him grind to a halt after only a couple of tours. McCall was holding on well at the front from Christie, whilst National Champion Ian Thompson (901) found a way past World Champion Keith Martin (994) for third. That’s how it finished at the front with Wayne W. snatching fifth from Stewart Doak (996) on the inside of the Fisherwick Bend nearing the end. Neville Stanley (967) hung on well from his rear end start, but never troubled the main pack. Gary W, obviously with the bigger points picture in his mind, dragged the ailing Corsa back on track for the last two or three laps, and was surprisingly credited with last place on the official results supplied by race control. However, rumours over the weekend suggested that this might later have been overturned by the steward of the meeting.
Result: 942, 962, 901, 994, 50, 996, (967), 32, 940.

Heat 2
<        901  50   942      980  32
< 996  940 994  962         967
Up to ten cars for heat two, and Stewart Doak made no mistake to take up the running early on. Thompson slotted into second ahead of a repaired Gary W, McCall and Wayne W. The expected challenge for the lead from Thompson never materialised, as Doak drove well to keep a decent gap ahead of him - Stewart now looking really at home in his still-new SHP Corsa. Back in the field Wayne Woolsey was looking very menacing, putting severe pressure on brother Gary ahead of him, before a run wide onto the greasy outside line cost him time, and a place to McCall nearing the end. Doak held on for the win from Thompson, Gary W, McCall, Wayne W, Martin, Christie and Stanley,
Result: 996, 901, 940, 942, 50, 994, 962, (967), 980, 32.

Final
< 962  942 940  994       980
< 901  50   996              967 32
Thompson’s holiday and Christie’s broken crank at Round 2 allowed them to annexe the front row because of their respective points chart positions, and few would have bet on the winner coming from anywhere else. The start would be critical and it was Thompson who got the grip from the outside to lead them away. Christie made the inside line for second ahead of McCall and the Woolsey brothers, Wayne and Gary.

As the two young guns at the front made their escape, all eyes were on the enormous battle building up for third. McCall was holding the place, but Wayne and Gary Woolsey were in very close proximity, but both not prepared to risk the greasy outside line. Soon Doak and Martin had joined in too, and one wrong move was going to leave you back in seventh spot. Wayne W was glued to the #942 back bumper, but the former World Champion was using all his experience to keep him at bay. McCall received a couple of blue flags, and held his car tight to the kerb, and could even be seen waving the Woolsey duo to dare pass him on the outside at one point! Wayne though had learned from his heat two mistake when a look to the outside of brother Gary had cost him points, and this time he even had 2 wheels on the inside verge on more than one occasion. Brother Gary wasn’t risking it either, and was no further off the kerb than Davy or Wayne! Step forward the World Champion, and true to form he was the first to give it a go. It seemed to be working for a time too as he edged right past Doak and alongside Gary W before a little “rubbing” saw Keith have to give it all up.

At the front Thompson cruised home to yet another trophy, but Christie had kept him honest all the way as the two begin to claw back the points deficit they have to overcome to be on the grid at Ipswich next July. McCall crossed the line in third with the others in very close proximity - Wayne W, Gary W, Doak and Martin. The main talking point of the night came next, when McCall was docked two places for blocking which left him absolutely livid. How you can be “blocking” when those following are not in the slightest bit interested in trying the outside line available to them is hard to fathom, but that’s how it worked out on this occasion.
Result: 901, 962, 50, 940, 942(x-2), 996, 994, (967), 980, 32.

Next up in Northern Ireland should be our meeting of the year, the British Open Championship. A good grid of cars should be present for the qualifying heats at Nutts Corner Oval (Fri 2nd Sept 7.30pm) before the final takes place at Ballymena Raceway (Sat 3rd Sept 7.30pm).

Word Series action continues with Round 5 at Nutts Corner Oval on Sat 17th September.
Darren Black.
Photos by Simon Kennedy in the Gallery

NI World Series 3
Ballymena Raceway August 19 2005

Darren Black reports: Portadown driver Wayne Woolsey claimed his first feature race win since April 2003 when he grabbed the honours in the final at NI World Series Round 3 at Ballymena Raceway on August 19. Only seven cars took part this time around, with the main absentees being the now seemingly retired Clive Richardson, and the new National Champion Ian Thompson who was enjoying himself on a sunshine holiday. Of those who were in attendance, Will Scott debuted an absolutely immaculate new SHP 206, and a real credit to him and his team it is too. Final winner Woolsey had his usual silver 206 in the pits, but chose to race the blue Corsa recently used by his father Norman. This is actually a John Simms chassis that was once a #950 Peugeot 205, and not the ex- John Steward World-winning car as many had thought.

Heat 1
< 962  994 942  980
<  50 996  940
Gary Woolsey (940) made an excellent start to the night in what turned out to be the only completely dry race of the meeting, as he swooped right from the rear of the grid to third on the opening lap. Fresh from his excellent showing at Hednesford, John Christie (962) had made no mistake from his pole position draw and he duly took up the running ahead of World Champion Keith martin (994) – Keith now with a complete new braking system following his National weekend woes. Wayne Woolsey (50) had made an indifferent start with his new mount, and soon dropped right to the rear of the main pack. As Gary W piled the pressure on Martin for second, young Christie was just disappearing into the distance, and he took the win over a quarter of a lap to the good. Martin withstood the pressure from Gary W to take second, with Stewart Doak (996) almost but not quite grabbing third from Gary on the line after the #940 car ran wide on the last turn. Reigning NI Champion Davy McCall (942) was a subdued fifth ahead of Wayne W.
Result: 962, 994, 940, 996, 942, 50. nof

Heat 2
< 940  996 50       980
< 942  994 962
The heavens had opened before heat 2, and with the Showgrounds track awash four wets was the order of the day. Gary W stepped into an immediate lead ahead of Martin and Christie as McCall dropped away from his front row start. Christie was piling the pressure on Martin, but it all ended in tears on the Fisherwick bend when the slightest of touches from John sent the #994 Peugeot sideways where John then t-boned him losing the pair a lot of time. The big benefactor was Doak who moved through to second and looked to be getting excellent grip from somewhere on the wet surface. McCall had also nipped through to third but all eyes were now on the lead battle as Doak closed hand over fist on Gary W. Stewart wasted no time either, and immediately swooped right around the wide outside line to take the win and banish the memory of his last Ballymena outing which saw him taking flying lessons over the start marshals rostrum. Gary W held on for second ahead of McCall, Martin and Christie, who somehow avoided penalty from the steward for his move on Martin early in the race.
Result:996, 940, 942, 994, 962, 50, 980.

Final
< 962  50  996  980
< 942  940 994
Once again the new regulations concerning final grids saw the lowest points scorer prior to the meeting on pole, and it was John Christie who was given the chance to make up for his Nutts Corner nightmare in round 2. By now the rain had stopped, but with the track still damp off line most chose to go with a two wets, two slicks combination. Christie, as expected, led them away but the challenge for the lead came quite surprisingly from Wayne W, who now had the bit firmly between his teeth after two lacklustre heats in his fathers Corsa. He quickly took it up at the front, and then he and Christie pulled a gap on the rest of the runners. As Will Scott retired his new rod, McCall continued his abysmal nights racing as he dropped right off the pace in last position. The main battle was for third between Doak, Martin and Gary W, with Gary slipping his Corsa inside Keith to take fourth. Wayne W. held on to take a more than welcome final victory, ahead of Christie, Doak, Gary W and Martin.
Result: 50, 962, 996, 940, 994, 942.

Round 4 takes place next Friday (August 26) at Ballymena Raceway, before the big NI meeting of the year, the British Open Championship, takes place the following weekend.
Darren Black
Photos by Simon Kennedy in the Gallery

NI World Series 2006 Round 2
Nutts Corner Oval August 6 2005

Darren Black reports:  The Nationals played a rare supporting role when Round 2 of the NI World Series took place at Nutts Corner Oval on 2.0 Hot Rod World Final weekend. The entries just get better and better in the province at the moment with 12 cars taking to the grid, including English visitor Steve Thompson, who was no doubt getting in some practice for the forthcoming British Open Championship as well as enjoying the other racing during the first ever Nutts Corner Oval speedweekend. Most interesting debut was that of ex-1600 hot rodder Stevie Williams, who debuted the ex-Skitmore/Groom Corsa having “spent the last 8 years saving for the National I always promised myself”. The Woolsey duo of Gary and Wayne were making their Nutts Corner debuts, whilst Will Scott returned but still in his faithful Fiesta and not his all-new 206.

Heat 1
<940 994      962 937  976       32 170
<942   50       996 901            980
As always the first heat was a public drawn grid, and it was heartache for John Christie(962) who retired after the warm up laps with what later transpired to be a broken crank, ending his day and his hopes of another mainland appearance at the National Championships. It was Davy McCall(942) who made the best getaway to grab the lead in to turn 1 from his outside starting slot, but Gary Woolsey(940) was right with him though, and when McCall ran too deep into turn 1 on lap 2 his old adversary was down the inside like a shot. In desperation McCall dived back towards the kerb, only succeeding in getting himself spun off by Gary. Out of the commotion Wayne Woolsey  (50) had grabbed the lead with Ian Thompson (901) hard on his case in second, and Thompson did indeed take up the running soon after. Thompson led them home to the first win of the night from Wayne W with Stewat Doak(996) in third with his repaired Corsa after the massive crash during Round 1 at Ballymena. A recovered Gary W. and Clive Richardson(976) rounded out the top 5.
Result:901, 50, 996, 940, 976, 994, (170), 937, 942, 980, 32.

Heat 2
<          901 996       50   942    32    170
<  976 937               994  940   980
With the points leader on the front row few would have bet against Richardson in this one, and he duly led them away. Thompson however is seriously quick, and was on his bumper right from the word go. Further back McCall was harassing Wayne W for position, this being resolved when Davy nerfed the #50 Peugeot into turn 1 and moved through on the inside, only to collect a black cross next time through. At the front Richardson still had the advantage, but with Thompson all over him like a rash he was choosing to take little heed of the blue flag. He held on to take the win with an irate Thompson third after running wide late on and allowing Doak through on the inside. Clive then emerged from his car to a ticking off from the steward and the legendary Barry Lee, who proceeded to blue flag the pace car as Clive took the victory lap!
Result: 976,996, 901, 994, 937, 940, 942(x-2), 50, 170, 32.

Final
< 937  901     940 994    170
<  50  996      942 976    32
Thompson wasted little time grabbing the lead in the feature race, the first to be lined up using the new system with the lowest in the points chart at the front. Fowler was unfortunate to get stuck on the outside and he was railroaded right down the field despite several attempts to get back in the queue. Thompson led them all the way to the flag, with Doak second and Gary W in third. There was controversy further back though as Richardson and Steve Thompson (170) came together exiting turn 4, leaving Clive with a fair amount of damage to the 206 and Steve with a black flag for his efforts.
Result: 901, 996, 940, 994, 50, 942, 32, nof.  Darren Black

Simon Kennedy’s photos in the GALLERY

NI World Series 2006 Round 1
Ballymena Raceway July 8 2005

Darren Black reports:  After a disappointing World Final weekend, Clive Richardson bounced right back to form with a heat and final double when the National Hot Rods got their 2006 qualifying campaign under way at Ballymena Raceway. There was a fantastic entry (for NI) of 10 cars for this one, with all three cars from the Woolsey stable making a return, along with Lloyd Fowler. Newly crowned World Champion Keith Martin took the honours in the other heat of what turned out to be quite a controversial nights racing.

Before proceedings got underway, the new NHRPA World Champion was given a great reception by his home fans as he paraded his trophies around the stadium, before Tommy Shaw, the man behind the introduction of hot rod racing to NI many moons ago, presented Keith with a fine gift from the promoters in recognition of his achievements. The promoters also announced the good news that Northern Ireland will have five representatives on the grid for the World Final next year at Ipswich. The #994 Peugeot was looking immaculate after its rebuild from Ipswich scrutineering, with new signs to go along with the long awaited gold roof. There was quite a bit of interest amongst the other entries too, with Richardson opting to stay with the “Blackman-esque” 206, leaving his Tigra for Fowler to have an outing. Stewart Doak gave a home debut to his immaculate new SHP Corsa, while John Christie arrived late at the stadium having only fitted the head to his rebuilt engine earlier in the evening. The Woolsey’s were back too, with Gary and Norman in their usual Corsa’s and Wayne in the 206.

Heat 1
< 976  962 994  937 940
<  50  901          996  942   950
The heavens had opened just an hour prior to start time leaving the track awash, so it was wets all around for heat 1. That’s if you had any, with new charger Ian Thompson (901) having to take the start on slicks, along with Norman Woolsey (950) who opted to forego his row 3 start in favour of one from the back. With the conditions far from ideal, rolling starts were the order of the day and they all got away safely at the first time of asking, although Lloyd Fowler (937) did have a big moment on the opening tour. Clive Richardson (976) was off like a shot and quickly built up a healthy advantage, whilst his fellow front row man Wayne Woolsey (50) fell back rapidly through the pack. The man on a charge was Fowler in the Tigra, looking very impressive as he took John Christie (962) to go third, before some sort of problem saw Wayne W park for a number of laps on the outside of turns 3 & 4. Gary Woolsey (940) fell back during the late stages of the race, losing places to a hard charging Stewart Doak (996) and Christie nearing the end. It was first blood of the series to Richardson though by almost a straight from gold-top Keith Martin (994), with Fowler, Doak and Christie next up, ahead of Gary W and Davy McCall (942). Thompson and Norman W were well off the pace due to their tyre difficulties and brought up the rear ahead of Wayne W who had lost a number of laps during the race.
Result: 976, 994, 937, 996. 962, 940, 942, 901, 950, 50.

Heat 2
< 942  996           901 50
< 940  937 994  962 976
Norman Woolsey opted out of heat 2, while Thompson had begged a set of wets from Martin to try to get himself onto the pace. Gary Woolsey got the better of old foe McCall to grab the lead in this one, with the 2002 World Champion also succumbing to Doak and Martin early on. Doak was looking quite handy this time and soon put a perfect move on Gary W to swoop around the outside to take up the running. Fowler also relegated Martin to go third before hitting the wide line to take second from Gary W, Martin also nipping past the red #940 car on the inside. Fowler soon reeled in leader Doak, and when Stewart left a gap into the town end bend Lloyd was in like a shot. Contact was made between the two and Stewart slid wide before spinning in front of the closing pack. Miraculously a big accident was avoided as Stewart kept the power on to head the Corsa in the right direction again, but some drivers, especially Gary W, lost a lot of time. Fowler took up the running but received a black cross next time around. Martin was back in second and through all of the chaos heat 1 winner Richardson had appeared in third. Fowler took the chequered flag before being docked two places to third for the incident with Doak, leaving Martin as a surprised winner. Richardson inherited second while Doak salvaged fourth for himself, ahead of McCall, a still off the pace Thompson, Gary W and Wayne W, after John Christie had retired late on with that ever-annoying problem – lack of fuel!
Result: 994, 976, 937 (x-2), 996, 942, 901, 940, 50.

Final
< 994  937 942  901 962
< 976  996 940  50    950
The rain had stopped by final time and the slightest of dry lines was appearing, but not enough to tempt most of the field to try a couple of slicks. Christie was one who took the gamble – “Nothing to lose from the back” was his justification. With a first and second apiece, Martin won the toss for pole ahead of Richardson, with Fowler and Doak on row two, and it was these two who would become the main talking point of the night. As the cars entered the home straight to receive the green flag the #996 Corsa took to the wall and was launched into the air. For a terrifying time all that could be seen from the main grandstand was the underfloor of the car, and fortunately for Stewart he came back down on top of the wall the right way up, and not onto his roof which looked a real possibility for a time as the start marshal dived for cover. The car collected a number of the posts along the top of the wall during its “flight” and was left mid track in a sorry state, having been one of the most immaculate on show at Ipswich just days earlier. Another indication of just how high the car had been was the fact that the rear aerofoil had been ripped off by the rope along the top of the wall, and this at the side of the car that was nearest the ground! After much deliberation between the officials, Fowler was deemed to have been the cause of the incident and he was excluded from the restart, although perhaps the track conditions may also have played a part too. Richardson took up the running when we eventually got going again, with McCall also relegating Martin to third down the back straight early on – the #942 car at last looking something like quick enough. Martin seemed to have an understeer problem as next Gary W found a way down the inside of the World Champion. It was normal service resumed for Richardson though as he took yet another final victory at Ballymena, with McCall keeping him honest all the way to the flag in second. Gary Woolsey salvaged third from what had been a disappointing night for the Woolsey trio, with Martin fourth ahead of Wayne W, Christie Thompson and Norman W.
Result: 976, 942, 940, 994, 50, 962, 901, 950.   (937 disq)

All in all a very entertaining outing for the Nationals, most definitely the best domestic meeting in NI for quite some time. The damage to the Doak car was the down side, but most drivers were enjoying having a decent field of cars for a change, as were the paying spectators. Plenty of controversy too, but it’s never going to be far away with so many competitive cars on track. Roll on round 2…. Darren Black

Simon Kennedy’s photos in the GALLERY

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World Series NI Round 15
Nutts Corner Oval May 22 2005

DARREN BLACK reports:  Davy McCall stamped his authority on World Series NI when he took a heat and final double in the final round of the series at Nutts Corner Oval on May 22, and with it secured the NI points championship (subject to official confirmation). There was a real end of season feel to the meeting, with only a paltry 4 cars present to race in the wet conditions.

Heat One
< 942  962
< 996  994
Davy McCall moved into an immediate lead in heat one, as the rain started just as the rods took the green flag. Stewart Doak (996) quickly dropped back with John Christie (962) moving through into second as the few spits of rain turned into a downpour as the race progressed. Christie stayed in touch all the way to the flag, the chance he got when McCall ran wide on the turnstile bend ruined when John himself had a bit of a moment as they slithered on their slick tyres in the tricky conditions. McCall took first blood, ahead of Christie, Keith Martin (994) and Doak.
Res: 942, 962, 994, 996.

Heat Two
< 994 996
< 962  942  
After a brief glimpse of sunshine, the rain returned just before the Nationals appeared for the second time, although this time they all had more suitable wet tyres on board. It was hard luck for Keith Martin though, as he retired to the infield at the end of the warm up laps with a sticking throttle. This left Christie alone on the front row, and the young Crumlin man made no mistake as he led all the way to the flag, even surviving a very early home straight moment to record the win. McCall finished second, with a struggling Doak in third and a lap down.
Res 962, 942, 996.

Final
< 962  996           Tie between 962 and 942 for pole – 962 won draw.
< 942  994
The rain was off for the final, but the track was still very wet and tricky. Martin had his problems solved, and Christie took pole after a draw with McCall. The two heats had produced precious little to talk about, but the final was just what the doctor ordered – enthralling stuff from start to finish. Christie got away well, with McCall giving him a knock on the passenger door as they snaked towards the first turn. Davy got in behind John for second before spearing up the inside into the airport bend on lap 2. John came across his bows and contact was made, Christie spinning towards the wall and taking the entire field with him. It was one of those six and two threes situations, and the steward called for a red flag and a complete restart. Christie again led them away, but McCall soon found a way through followed by Martin. If anyone thought Christie’s race was done, they were wrong as John moved back through past Keith into second before stalking the McCall car lap after lap. Time and again John bravely looked to the slippery outside line, with McCall using every trick in the book to keep the young charger at bay. There may only have been four cars on track, but the crowd were just loving this, with John almost getting by once again with the lap boards out before settling for a gallant second place. Doak was right with them at the end in third after Martin had dropped off the pace with what looked like a rear puncture.

Res: 942, 962, 996, 994.
So another Season of domestic racing comes to a close in NI, once again badly in need of a few new faces on the grid. The four Ulster representatives for Ipswich can now prepare for the big showdown in early July at Foxhall. Keith Martin looks good in his new shorter wheelbase 206, and Stewart Doak has an all-new SHP Corsa almost ready to test – after his wedding next weekend. Davy McCall is threatening to give his car a much needed overhaul before the big race, whilst Clive Richardson will no doubt once again have the pace of the top men, with plenty more still to come from his already quick Tigra. As usual, discount the Ulstermen at your peril….
Darren Black.

World Series NI Round 14
Ballymena Raceway May 13th 2005

DARREN BLACK reports:  Clive Richardson continued his good form at Ballymena Raceway when the Nationals contested the 14th and penultimate Round of the 2005 World Series on Friday 13th May, the Horta Soils backed racer taking a heat and final double – his eighth feature race win of the campaign. Only five cars contested the meeting, the close proximity of the Mallory Mile meeting depriving the fans of new charger Ian Thompson jnr. Keith Martin gave his “new” Peugeot 206 its race debut, and it was he who shared the nights spoils with Richardson as he grabbed the other heat win.

Heat 1
< 994  942 976
< 996  962
The cars were ready on the grid for heat one when the late arriving Davy McCall (942) entered the stadium, and the promoters held proceedings up whilst the #942 car was unloaded from the transporter to take up third place on the grid. Keith Martin (994) made no mistake at the off in his new steed, the Dungannon driver looking quite at home in his new shorter wheelbase model as he took up the running. Stewart Doak (996) got stranded on the outside as McCall and Clive Richardson (976) moved through to second and third places respectively, with John Christie (962) soon relegating Stewart to last position. John had earlier surprised regular race-goers by being present at the track 45 minutes before start time, something unheard of in the Christie camp over the years – “It’s not hard to know my Dad’s not with us tonight” quipped John in the pits! Everyone held station until the end, Keith easing up over the last few laps to still take the chequered flag well clear of McCall and Richardson, and give the virgin 206 its maiden win.
Result: 994, 942, 976, 962, 996.

Heat 2
<          962  996
< 976  942  994
With the front row to himself, Richardson blasted into the lead in heat 2, the Tigra looking quite the part as he raced to an easy win – this despite the rumours that another Peugeot 206 might soon be sporting the 976 number. Christie had a lonely run to second while Martin was again looking good as he motored past both Doak and McCall to take third. Doak once again trailed in last with a major misfire on the Cirrus Plastics 205 – Stewart obviously pre-occupied with the impending completion of his new SHP Corsa, and his upcoming wedding at the end of the month, to spend much time on his current machine.
Result: 976, 962, 994, 942, 996.

Final
< 976  962 996
< 994  942
Richardson had gained pole spot for the final with Martin alongside, but the chance of a good battle disappeared immediately as Keith suffered a broken half-shaft at the clutch start and limped onto the infield. With settings and a gearbox to change anyhow before an early morning ferry to Mallory, this was the last thing Keith needed, and emphasised just how badly scheduled this meeting had been by the powers that be. McCall had been badly delayed by Martin’s failure to get off the line, and he completed the early laps in last position as Richardson stretched his legs at the front. Clive reeled off the laps to take the final spoils yet again, with Christie equally as comfortable in second. McCall caught and put a pass on Doak nearing the end but it was all about Richardson as he took final win number eight of the 2005 World Qualifying campaign.
Result: 976, 962, 942, 996 nof.

The final round of the 2005 World Series takes place next Sunday afternoon, May 22nd at Nutts Corner Oval. Please note that this is a change to the previously advertised Saturday date due to all the volunteer Ambulance personnel being required on that day for the North West 200 motorcycle races. The qualifying places in the points chart have been pretty secure for some time now, but car failures or accidents could still put the cat amongst the pigeons as regards to the points title itself, so it’s still all to play for.
Darren Black.

NI World Series 13 – Nutts Corner Oval April 23 2005.

DARREN BLACK reports:  Ian Thompson jnr showed just what a great acquisition he will be to the National Hot Rods when he raced to a great heat and final double at World Series 13 at Nutts Corner Oval, a track he knows so well in the other direction from his Brisca F2 exploits. The other heat was taken by points leader Davy McCall at a meeting where only 6 cars raced, the notable absentee being Keith Martin who is currently converting his Focus into a shorter wheelbase Peugeot 206.

Heat 1
< 976  901 942          * Driver 980 did not partake in draw
<  996 962        980
Clive Richardson (976) stepped off pole to lead them away in heat 1, while further back Davy McCall (942) had made a lightning start from the back to grab a couple of places during lap 1. McCall soon moved through to second, but had Ian Thompson jnr (901) in close company. Thompson soon found a way past McCall down the inside on the back straight, the former World Champion getting well crossed up and then railroaded down to fifth. Thompson soon closed on the leader and Richardson received a blue flag from the starter to give the young charger a shot at the outside. Just like at the last Nutts Corner meeting, Clive was caught napping on the inside though, and Thompson took over at the front through turns 3 and 4. Richardson also got stuck on the outside and eventually finished fourth behind virgin winner Thompson, Stewart Doak (996) in second and John Christie (962) in third. McCall trailed home fifth in front of Will Scott (980), who was still at the wheel of his Fiesta and not the new SHP 206 which is very near a track debut.
Res: 901, 996, 962, 976, 942, 980.

Heat 2
<          962 996
<  942 901  976     980
From his lone front row start, McCall made no mistake in heading them away in heat 2. John Christie was with him right from the off, and on a few occasions made contact with the #942 car which was very slow entering the bends. This contact earned John a warning black cross which was not acted upon at the race finish. These two had opened up a gap over a great battle for third between Doak, Thompson and Richardson. Thompson got a run down the inside of Doak on the back straight but couldn’t get far enough through the door, the resultant contact knocking Stewart wide and earning Ian a black cross. Thompson was now through to third on the road and wasted no time at all tracking down the lead duo such was his pace, but McCall held on for the win with the footwell of the #942 Peugeot covered in brake fluid to account for his lack of pace at times during the race. Christie claimed a gallant runner-up spot, ahead of Doak in third after Thompson had been docked 1 place by the steward. Richardson was very subdued in fifth ahead of Scott.
Res: 942, 962, 996, 901 (x-1), 976, 980

Final
< 901  996 976      *962 and 996 tied on points – 962 won draw
< 962  942       980
Thompson took off into an immediate lead from pole in the final, whilst Richardson got a flyer from the back as he got a run up the inside of Doak, the real loser being Christie who was forced wide in the three abreast moment. Doak was soon looking for a way back past Clive though, and Stewart forced a gap entering the back straight on the inside. The Richardson Tigra was unsettled as Doak came through, Clive then coming right across to send the Cirrus Plastics 205 hurdling onto the infield, scattering marker tyres and soil in the process. The yellow flags were flying for the debris on the track and the drivers this time around obeyed them well and quickly came into single file order and then temporarily stopped to allow the raceway staff to clear the mess from the track. During this recess, Richardson was banished to the infield for his part in the incident, and Doak black crossed for the initial contact. Stewart rejoined the field as they set off on the rolling lap, albeit a lap down after his rallycross exploits on the sodden infield. Thompson pulled clear again when they went green, the newcomer to the rods grabbing an excellent final victory on only his second outing in the ex-Richardson machine. Christie claimed another solid second spot ahead of McCall and Scott, with Doak way back in last spot and with a one place penalty to his name.
Res: 901, 962, 942, 980, - , 996(x-1). Nof

The next and penultimate round is scheduled for Ballymena Raceway on May 13^th. Lets hope Friday the 13th brings a more civilised showing than Round 13 did…….
DARREN BLACK

World Series NI Round 12 – Ballymena Raceway April 15 2005

DARREN BLACK reports:  After a disappointing outing at Nutts Corner six-days previously, Clive Richardson was right back on form when he scooped the honours at World Series NI Round 12 at Ballymena Raceway. Points leader Davy McCall and Keith Martin had shared the heats before Clive’s final victory in a meeting that saw the debut in Nationals of Brisca F2 Superstar Ian Thompson jnr, driving the ex-Richardson SHP 206.

Heat 1
< 942  976 994
< 996  901 962
The NHRPA ruling that any new driver must commence his career in Nationals from the back of the grid was somehow overlooked by the Ballymena promoters, and Ian Thompson jnr (901) took up a starting slot on row 2 of the grid for heat one. Davy McCall (942) led them off from pole ahead of Stewart Doak (996) and Clive Richardson (976). Clive almost found a way past Doak on the inside entering the back straight but just couldn’t pull it off as Thompson learned a first lesson as he got stuck on the outside and dropped to the back. As McCall drove into the sunset all eyes were on the main pack, as Doak held station on the inside line with Richardson in third seemingly not interested at all in the outside pass. Keith Martin (994), John Christie (962) and Thompson had caught them up by the end, Keith being the only one game enough to look at the wide line, which only led to Christie snatching fourth spot from him nearing the finish. McCall took the opening honours of the night by over a quarter of a lap, whilst Doak held onto second ahead of Richardson.
Result: 942, 996, 976, 962, 994, 901.

Heat 2
< 962  901 996
< 994  976 942
Christie had the advantage of pole position for heat 2, but trying to start in third gear saw him swamped by Martin and Richardson before he got sorted out. Thompson immediately looked outside Christie and soon moved into third spot, as McCall got the upper hand in a great battle at the back with Doak. Martin still led from Richardson, but as soon as Thompson broke free from Christie he immediately began to close the gap the pair had opened out. The former F2 Irish Champion was the fastest car on track and was soon right with the leading duo, even having the audacity to look down the outside in the closing stages. Martin held on for the win from Richardson’s Tigra and Thompson, these three well ahead of Christie, McCall and Doak.
Result: 994, 976, 901, 962, 942, 996.

Final
< 976  942 962
< 994  996 901
Had Richardson still been driving the 206 the final would probably have been a foregone conclusion, but he hasn’t been looking just as happy with the new Tigra yet, and an interesting race was in prospect. Clive led them away in this one with McCall getting into second after a great getaway, which may just have been too good! Martin settled into third ahead of Doak, Christie and Thompson. Ian got past Christie and then took to the outside of Doak, who drove him much too deep into the Fisherwick bend, presenting Christie with a gap he just couldn’t refuse. Three abreast onto the back straight just wasn’t happening and they all tripped up, with Doak coming off worst as he spun onto the infield. With Stewart beached on the kerb, waved yellows were the order of the day and they were blatantly ignored by everyone resulting in the starter having to go red and stop the race. What chance do we have of teaching drivers in so-called lesser formulae to obey the flag signals if the 6 drivers in the most senior class in the province just race on under the yellows?? Richardson led away the single file restart ahead of McCall, Martin, Thompson, Christie and the recovering Doak. Martin was looking off the pace after some pre-race adjustments just hadn’t come off, and Thompson soon found a way past for third, and Keith soon had to fend of Christie as well as he attacked on the outside. Richardson proved the doubters wrong as he claimed yet another feature race success, ahead of McCall who had Thompson closing on him at the end, the Nutts Corner lad having enjoyed a very impressive opening meeting in the premier formula. Martin held onto fourth ahead of Christie and Doak in sixth.
Result: 976, 942, 901, 994, 962, 996.
Round 13 is scheduled for next Saturday evening (April 23rd) at Nutts Corner Oval
DARREN BLACK

Latest World Series Points after round 11

World Series NI Round 11 – Nutts Corner Oval – 9 April 2005

DARREN BLACK reports:  Keith Martin continued his fine Nutts Corner form with a great feature race victory when the National Hot Rods contested Round 11 of the 2005 World Series on Saturday 9th April. Having earlier shared the heats with Clive Richardson, the fomer European and British champion from Dungannon made it a double in the final to claim his second feature win in succession at the former airfield venue. Once again the entry was poor at just 6 cars, with Richardson again racing the new Ludlow Tigra with the British Championship winning SHP 206 now sold.

Heat One
< 994  976   980
< 942  996
Only five cars contested heat 1, the age old Christie technique of arriving just in time for the opener letting them down this time around – perhaps John and his dad were expecting things to kick off at 8pm like it did in the old days……??? Just as at Ballymena on its race debut, the Clive Richardson (976) Tigra left the line like a rocket, the Co Armagh man looking up the inside of both front row starters before thinking better of it and settling for third. At the front Keith Martin (994) had made no mistake at the off at settled into the lead ahead of World Series leader Davy McCall (942). Richardson was running third, but had Stewart Doak (996) all over him like a rash for most of the race, the Vauxhall not looking anything like the car it had at Ballymena a fortnight previously. Martin ran out the first victor of the night, ahead of McCall, Richardson and Doak, who just couldn’t put a pass on Clive to grab third. Will Scott (980) completed the order in fifth.
Res: 994, 942, 976, 996, 980.

Heat 2
< 996  942   980
< 976  994   962
John Christie (962) had joined the fray for heat 2, although having missed the grid draw prior to heat one he had to start from the rear of the line-up. Doak had no answer to the Tigra’s grip off the line and Richardson led into turn one after another amazing getaway. Doak settled into second ahead of McCall, Martin, Christie and Scott, but he could do nothing about Richardson this time, the Tigra looking much better this time after some suspension tweaks in the pits.
Res: 976, 996, 942, 994, 962, 980.

Final
< 976  942 980
< 994  996 962
Richardson looked a good bet for the final from pole spot, but once again his new mount looked far from ideal right from the word go. He led them off with Martin second ahead of Doak and McCall, but Clive was soon under severe pressure from Keith, the Focus looking as good as it has in quite a while. On two occasions the starter showed Clive the blue flag to give Martin room to try the outside pass he was looking for, but Clive then left the slightest of gaps on his inside entering the back straight and Keith was into it like a shot. Richardson was now in big trouble as he got stuck on the outside, with first Doak and then McCall and Christie all muscling past him before he could regain the racing line – first to fifth in a lap and a half. Christie also found a way past McCall for third, but threw it all away as he got well crossed up into the airport bend nearing the finish allowing Davy to come back through on the inside whilst John gathered the moment together. Martin reeled off the remainder of the laps to claim his second Nutts Corner World Series victory in a row, with his wild doughnuts as he left the track a measure of just how pleased he was with the win – just rewards for the time spent over the winter on the rebuild of the car. Doak claimed second spot, he being another going better than of late, ahead of McCall in third, Christie, the dejected Richardson and Scott.
Res:994, 996, 942, 962, 976, 980.
Round 12 of the World Series (NI) is scheduled for next Friday, April 15th at Ballymena Raceway.
DARREN BLACK

National Hot Rod 2005 Northern Ireland Review

by Darren Black

Having been there or thereabouts without lifting many of the sport’s major honours in recent seasons, 2005 was the year when National Hot Rodding in Northern Ireland hit back with a bang, with all four of the sports major trophies finding their way into the hands of local drivers.

Pride of place must go to Dungannon’s Keith Martin, who held aloft the World Championship silverware for the first time after nearly 20 years of trying, thus finally putting to rest the annual “Best never to win it” and “Must be his year this time” quips. It wasn’t an easy road to victory lane though, many long hours in the workshop converting the Focus to a Peugeot 206, never mind the massive pressure from defending champion Malcolm Blackman during the race, making the big win even more deserving.

To round off an outstanding season, Keith then put his name on the European Championship trophy at Tipperary once again, this time with a masterful performance, which saw him in complete command all weekend.

The other two major wins for the province came from a more surprising source in Ian Thompson Jnr.  The Brisca F2 superstar jumped into the ex-Richardson 206 to claim fantastic wins in both the National and British Championships - only months after his debut in the formula. He may also have collected penalty points at an alarming rate, but there is no doubting the fact that this lad has real ability, and there could be a lot more to come from him in a National Hot Rod.

Over the last few years a major talking point around the raceways in Ulster has been about car numbers, or more to the point, the lack of them. On New Years Day 2005 at Ballymena for the now traditional Holiday meeting, the point was emphasised with just 8 taking to the track for what is normally one of the best attended meetings of the year. Of those eight, Davy McCall, Clive Richardson, Stewart Doak and Martin had all but claimed their World Final places already – only a catastrophe would allow them to fall back into the clutches of Will Scott and irregular attendee John Christie.

The points title was still to play for though with little to choose between the top 4, with 1990 and 2002 World Champion McCall the man leading them into the New Year. Wayne Woolsey was making a rare appearance at this meeting, and was joined by John Murray, who had purchased the ex-Wayne McClure 206 more recently owned by Ronnie McMillan. Unfortunately this was to be John’s one and only outing in the car, which has since been sold on to Dublin’s James O’Shea. Both Richardson and Woolsey found themselves pointing in the wrong direction during the day at some stage, but Clive was in control come final time to take the spoils after heat wins for Martin and Woolsey.

Part two of the festive period double header took place at Nutts Corner Oval the next day, January 2nd, where another greasy track caught out a few of the meagre six cars again, John Christie and Richardson again finding themselves rotating their machines. Martin shared the heats with McCall, before grabbing the spoils in the final. McCall however could be content with a 16 point advantage at the top of the points table as we headed for the 2005 season proper.

At the end of February, the long awaited return leg of the NI v Republic of Ireland Challenge match took place at Nutts Corner Oval. A five-car team of Richardson (Captain), Martin, Doak, Christie and Scott took on their Southern counterparts with revenge in mind after the defeat at Tipperary in the inaugural event in 2003. The locals certainly had the tactics all in hand as they led after the two heats through victories from Martin and Captain Richardson – exactly what Clive had planned after placing Keith and himself at opposite ends of the line up in the reverse grid format.

The heats had produced some fantastic action and team racing (mostly legal too at this stage!) to keep the fans warm on a very chilly afternoon. Things went a little pear-shaped in the final though, with the team racing element boiling over leading to a rash of disqualifications for drivers from both sides. Charlie Daly went on to record a popular victory for the travelling contingent, with the Republic also running out overall victors by 99 points to 91. This type of event certainly has potential, as could be seen by the smiles all round after the final even though there had been a lot of damage inflicted to the expensive rods.

Unfortunately we’ll have to wait until 2007 for the next encounter when the drivers have been promised a more watertight set of rules to govern the team racing aspect of the event. It also gives plenty of time for the English to get themselves involved too – isn’t everyone crying out for “fun” events without World Qualifying points? Three five-car teams could be a recipe for disaster, but also has the potential to be a fantastic meeting and crowd puller.

Tipperary Raceway in the Republic was the next port of call for the locals for the Irish Grand Prix in mid-March, with Richardson, Martin, Doak and the Woolsey father and son duo of Norman and Gary all making the trip down south. Richardson had turned up with both his usual 206 and the newly-acquired ex-Trevor Stroud Vauxhall Tigra, but opted to run with the tried and trusted Peugeot rather than the new rod, which although quick and with loads of potential, he felt it still needed more testing under its belt to iron out some minor niggles.

Martin’s third and fourth in the heats gave him Ulster’s best grid slot of third whilst Richardson with a second and sixth was on the pace too, although Clive was very unhappy about losing the lead in his first heat when he got caught out at the end of a yellow flag caution period when the starter went green a lap earlier than he had anticipated. Doak had a fifth as his highest claim, while “Uncle Norman” had a poor first heat and took no further part all weekend. Pole man and local favourite Mike Riordan led from flag to flag to claim the Irish GP title from a hard trying Richardson after Martin had retired mid race. Gary W converted his 12th position start into the final podium place, snatching third nearing the end from Tom Casey after a steady drive.

Easter time traditionally starts the new season in NI oval racing, and the Nationals gathered at Ballymena on Good Friday for Round 10 of the World Series. Richardson gave the Tigra its race debut and went on to grab a heat and final double in fine style, leaving all onlookers shaking their heads in disbelief at the speed of the Ludlow machine off the line. John Christie was also having the best night of his National Hot rod career so far too, taking the other heat win and finishing top points scorer on the day. Former local favourite Wilson Hamilton paid a visit to his old stomping ground for this one as well, and certainly made no friends of the locals, even gaining a black flag in the final, although this was later rescinded.

Two weeks later and it was Round 11 at Nutts Corner with Martin taking another double victory, while Richardson bagged the other heat with the Tigra this time looking nothing like the world beater we thought it was. McCall however was still in command in the points chart, 14 ahead of Richardson with Martin a further 20 back.

Mid-April saw Round 12 of the World Series, and it was to be a significant one too with the debut of Brisca F2 superstar Ian Thompson Jnr. Everyone in the province knew he could pedal a car – a front row F2 World Semi Final spot doesn’t come easy – but how would he adapt to the non-contact aspect, given the previous controversial attempts by Messrs Sworder and Smith? Ian didn’t waste any time either, mixing it right from the off to record two third places in his virgin meeting in the elite formula. Richardson meanwhile continued to develop his Tigra while taking yet another final win, after McCall and Martin had shared the heats.

This meeting also saw another major turning point of the 2005 season, as Keith Martin finally decided that even after a major winter overhaul, he had taken the SWM Focus as far as he could.  The team set off back to Dungannon with the mammoth task of shortening the machine’s wheelbase considerably (amongst other things) before the Rod would reappear as a Peugeot 206. Keith obviously missed the following weeks Round 13 at Nutts Corner where Thompson showed even more potential with a fantastic heat and final double. McCall left the meeting 46 points to the good in the overall points race however, after Richardson saw his NI Championship chances all but disappear after a black flag in the final following an altercation with Stewart Doak.

The penultimate round of the World Series NI took the cars back to Ballymena where Martin caused a sensation when his “new” car took the chequered flag on its race debut before Clive Richardson took over to grab both heat two and the final. The results might suggest otherwise, but Richardson was beginning to get frustrated with the Ludlow Tigra as the numerous set-up and spring changes throughout practice and between races would suggest. The final round was staged back at Nutts Corner with just a paltry 4 cars racing. McCall took a brace of wins to wrap up the NI Championship quite comfortably in a dismal “end of term” showing. Consistency had once again been the main factor in winning the points race, Davy finishing 95 points ahead of Doak, with Richardson and Martin third and fourth respectively and completing the quartet for the World Final.

Sandwiched in-between the final two rounds of the domestic series was the annual visit to the Mallory Mile for the Long Track Championship. Recent National convert Thompson and seasoned campaigner Martin were the two Ulster travellers in the field that combined the National and Outlaw Hot Rods into one class. This was billed as Malcolm Blackman v Colin White, and quite rightly so given their past performances in the meeting. Few had anticipated the impact of Thompson though, the young charger gate-crashing the party to almost snatch a famous victory in his maiden international outing, before finally settling for second behind Blackman.

Next up was the annual “World Final Warm Up” or Thunder 500 at Ipswich in mid-June. A fantastic meeting saw the Nationals joined by the Brisca F1’s on a blistering hot summers evening, and three Ulster drivers had made the long trek for a one day event. Form man Thompson was present hoping to continue his Mallory form, and Richardson persevered with the Tigra; joined by the similar models of Blackman and Carl Boardley for this one.

Most notable though was the mainland debut of John Christie, the youngster taking to the track where he had watched his Father so many times, including of course two World Final victories in the very car John was to race. In these days of trucks and coach transporters, it was interesting to see John and team travel all the way to Suffolk in a Fiat Brava complete with 2 wheel trailer, before heartbreak in heat one as a dropped valve finished their night’s racing, although not before quite a few of the locals had been suitably impressed.

Thompson had a lacklustre night too, a third, sixth and a seventh in the heats giving Ian a row three start and ultimately fourth in the T500 final. Richardson was giving the Tigra its Ipswich debut, and got off to a fine start with second in heat one even if the car did look very loose on many occasions. Fifth in heat two and Clive was well in contention before an innocuous clash with Hughie Weaver in heat three saw the Vauxhall grind to a halt on the turnstyle bend with suspension damage. All was not lost though but Clive was then unfortunate to get spun off in the final, retiring soon after. The #976 team were not happy with the performance of the Tigra at all, with Clive looking most despondent with the World Final now only 2 weeks away.

The decision had now been made – the Tigra was history and the Richardson team had an all-new 206 up and running for the press day test session a week later, resplendent in a livery almost identical to Malcolm Blackman’s #911 machine. The stories varied from “He wants an easy ride through the backmarking English racers” to the team themselves saying, “We wanted a red car, and thought this was the best red we’d seen on a hot rod”. We’ll never know what the reason for the colour scheme was, but it was a great effort from Clive, Lloyd and the team to get the new mount up and running so quickly, never mind the travelling from Ulster to Ipswich twice in a week.

All roads as usual led to Ipswich in early July for the big one of the year, the 2005 World Championship Final. All four Ulster representatives had reason to be upbeat, as Stewart Doak wheeled out an immaculate SHP Corsa to join Martin and Richardson on the list of those with new or nearly new rods. Davy McCall too couldn’t be discounted as the 2002 World winner had been in probably his best form since lifting the title three years ago. Saturday morning saw the lap times to determine the grid, and Martin hit the ground running with a fantastic 14.598s lap to top the group containing the runners from this side of the Irish Sea, mainland Europe and beyond. As none of the top English runners could better his time, Keith took pole spot on the World Final grid and was quickly installed as favourite to land the title. McCall was second fastest of the NI cars on 14.75s to net himself a row 5 start, whilst Richardson had suffered power steering problems during the session, but was still baffled as to how he was only on 14.76s for 14th spot. Doak was still coming to grips with his new Vauxhall, the recently married Portadown man clocking 14.787s for a lowly 21st slot on the line-up. Doak, Richardson and McCall all had runs with the support cars during Saturday to make final tweaks to their set-up, McCall surprisingly (for him!) gridding for the last heat at almost 11pm for a final run out.

Martin was joined on the front row by seasoned campaigner and former winner Ricky Hunn, and with defending champion Blackman right behind the Hayes Fuels Peugeot the heat was most definitely on for Keith. Had he the nerve to see the job through after so many years of trying? He made the perfect getaway first time away only to be brought short when Hunn got tangled up in an incident that both Richardson and Doak were involved with in a minor way. Take two saw Keith get wide onto the back straight and for a moment the whole stadium held their breath as Blackman ducked inside to make it three abreast down the back straight. Keith got it all out of shape soon after and fell right back to fifth as Hunn tangled with McCall which would render the #942 car off the pace for the next restart which luckily for Keith was called after 4 ½ laps when Tom Casey finished off Hunn’s roller coaster ride down the back straight. Another half lap would have seen a single file restart, so this was most definitely all Keith’s Christmases coming at once!

Keith had the front row all to himself this time around after Hunn’s demise, but Stu Carter took to the wall in turn three and the reds got an airing once again. Things finally got going next time around though with McCall a non-starter after a spin. Keith held Blackman off once again to settle into the lead, but Malcolm was soon applying severe pressure to the Dungannon man, who was driving a very calculated race in a car that suddenly looked nothing like it had 24-hours earlier. Time and again Blackman looked to the outside, but made a huge mistake on one occasion when he allowed Shane Murphy and Steve Thompson inside him to relegate himself to fourth. This gave Keith the breathing space he so desperately needed to gather things together for the onslaught that would come when Blackman returned to the second position.

Into the final 10 laps and the #911 car was right back with Keith’s leading 206. He looked outside and inside but couldn’t find the all important way through, and as the entire Ulster contingent willed him on for the final couple of tours Keith came through to take the chequers and the World Championship crown. Wild doughnuts ensued, and the reception he received from not only the Ulster fans but the English and Irish as well showed just how popular and overdue a victory this was. Of the others, Richardson had been making notable early progress and ran as high as eighth at one point before fading to finish 9th. Doak had a lonely and subdued race down the pack and came home outside the top 10.

There was a full programme of support racing for the nationals over the weekend too, with our own Ian Thompson right in the thick of things all weekend long. He ran away from the rest in heat one, but his old friend the Steward didn’t take too kindly on a jumped re-start and an altercation with Mike Oliver and duly disqualified him completely from the race at its conclusion. World Finalists Richardson and Doak also came out to test in this race, with Clive finding out why it’s not a good idea when he got caught up in someone else’s accident resulting in minor damage to his machine. Heat two and Thompson was motoring again this time settling for a close second behind Oliver after an exciting duel with Spedeworth South promoter Deane Wood. Ian did gain his first win of the weekend in heat 3, and he followed that up by handsomely winning the Sunday afternoon support final, before another respectable drive in the last race of the weekend from the back saw him net ninth position after many of the world Finalists had started nearer the front. Anyone who hadn’t heard about young Ian driving a National was now sitting up and taking notice.

As is now the norm for the NI National Hot Rod racers, World Series NI kicked off just 5 days after the World Final at Ballymena. Keith Martin showed off his long awaited gold roof to his home fans and received a fantastic reception before collecting a memento from Tommy Shaw, the man who introduced Hot Rods to Ulster. The promoters also announced the good news that the province would have five spots on the World Final grid for 2006. The good news extended to the entry, with all three cars from the Woolsey stable back in action along with Lloyd Fowler in the Richardson Tigra; Clive himself sticking with the 206 to record a heat and final double. The new World Champion took the other heat victory, but the main talking point however was the clash between Fowler and Stewart Doak at the start of the final which saw the brand new #996 Corsa take flying lessons down the home straight before crashing back to earth in a sorry state after seemingly being run wide by the Tigra driver.

If anyone was wondering just how serious the Woolsey’s had been about qualifying for the 2006 World Championship, all was revealed at the start of August when they rolled up to make their debuts at Nutts Corner Oval for round 2 as part of the 2 Litre Hot Rod World Final Speedweekend. Also on the grid was one-time 1600 hot rodder Stevie Williams who was fulfilling a long held ambition of racing a National after acquiring the ex-Skitmore/Grooms Motorsport car, along with welcome English visitor Steve Thompson. Having struggled at Round 1 with no wet tyres on the damp track, Ian Thompson took heat 1 and the final in fine style in front of Nutts Corners biggest ever crowd. Richardson was the day’s other victor in heat 2, before a nasty clash with Steve Thompson in the final saw the #976 206 with hefty rear end damage and Clive none too pleased. John Christie saw his qualifying hopes take a major setback when a broken crank right at the start of heat one prevented him from scoring for the rest of the day.

The annual invasion of Hednesford was next up with a total of seven from the Province in action, including Christie who had won a race against time to get the engine in the Fiesta rebuilt. Wayne Woolsey and Thompson both took heat wins during the qualifiers, with Ian having a second too along with a non-start in his first heat as he once again had no wets! World Champion Martin could claim a third as his best as he fought a battle with Malcolm Blackman that seemed to rage all day long whilst struggling with brake problems which even saw a small fire on the Robin Martin Diesels car at one stage. Doak and Christie both had fourths to their name, whilst Gary Woolsey’s best was a fifth. Consistency had put Wayne W and Doak on row 3 with Martin and Thompson starting from row 4, whilst Christie was on row six.

The main race turned into a dice between Blackman and Carl Boardley at the front as the NI runners battled just behind. Doak got a touch from the pack and spun losing a lot of ground, although not as much as the computer showed as he was unlucky to not be credited with the lap as he passed the line on the infield and inside the electronic loop! Wayne W unfortunately got black flagged as a touch from behind had his rear bodywork fouling a tyre badly, whilst Martin dropped out whilst in fourth with re-occurrence of his brake problems. Thompson was still keeping in touch, but his brakes were fading too, although not as bad as Boardley who had complete failure and smacked the turn 1 wall sparking off an almighty accident which Doak only avoided by the skin of his teeth.

The stoppage gave Ian’s brakes a breather and he was right back in contention in third, which became second right at the off as he ducked under Tom Casey despite Tom’s best efforts to defend which saw him spin to a halt.  The yellows were out again with Thompson now right behind the leading #911 car, with Christie a fantastic fourth. Unbelievably, Ian found a gap inside Blackman into turn one after the greens, and he was off to a famous victory, just months after making his debut in the class. Christie wasn’t finished either as he managed to capitalise on the squabbling between Blackman and Steve Thompson to nip under the former World Champion and claim an outstanding third place, with Doak also showing well in sixth in the classification although Stewart could argue that he could easily have been much higher.

The ultra-competitive World Series NI resumed back at Ballymena a week later, and there were two notable absentees. New National Champion Thompson had taken off on a holiday to the continent, and thus forfeited a huge amount of points; whilst Richardson had both his cars advertised for sale and had also failed to fulfil his Hednesford booking the previous week. Just seven cars then, although this included Will Scott’s immaculate new SHP 206 finally making its debut. Christie and Doak shared the heats before Wayne Woolsey came through for the final honours although it was Martin who led the points chart from Doak and Gary Woolsey. They all returned to Ballymena a week later with Neville Stanley a welcome addition to the ranks, and Thompson picked up where he left off with another final win, after Davy McCall and Doak had shared the heats. This elevated Stewart to the head of the points chart, now three ahead of Martin.

The local racers have just one opportunity each year to welcome the mainland and Southern racers for a championship meeting, and this time it was in early September for the British Open Championship. An excellent 17 cars competed over the weekend, with 4 from England joined by 5 from the Republic of Ireland. Three all-in heats was the order of the day at Nutts Corner Oval with wins falling to Doak, Ian Thompson and regular NI visitor Dick Hillard. The racing was frantic to say the least, with the final heat in particular very untidy. Richardson made a brief return to racing to defend his title – a trip to the wall early in heat one ending his weekend’s activities, whilst Martin also found himself in the fence in heat 3 courtesy of broken front suspension. Two more heats at Ballymena fell to Hillard again and a repaired Martin, before Thompson grabbed his second major in a month as he took the British Open title from Doak and Blackman after starting on pole position.

Three more domestic qualifiers rounded off the local season for the Nationals, starting at Nutts Corner. John Christie this time claimed the victory in the final, with the heats going to Doak once again and Wayne Woolsey. A week later and back at Ballymena Thompson was in the groove again for a heat and final double with McCall taking the other heat. Davy and Gary Woolsey had a coming together in the final, which saw Gary black-flagged although this was later rescinded. Ronnie McMillan was all set to make a return to the formula at Nutts Corner in early October having purchased the Clive Richardson 206, but that was before Thompson rendered his car useless by hitting the wall in practice. With World qualifying points at a premium, the McMillan car became the Thompson steed for the day and after collecting yet another black cross in heat one he came back to take the feature race in the unfamiliar car after the heats had been shared between McCall and Wayne W. Gary W took a hefty trip to the fence in heat two as the pack jostled for position but sterling work by his crew saw him return for the final.

Going into the winter break, consistency sees Martin lead the way in the qualifying series, seven points ahead of Doak. McCall holds third spot ahead of Gary W, Wayne W, Christie and Thompson, the latter quartet separated by a mere 3 points. With five places at Ipswich 2006 up for grabs we actually also have a tie for fifth at the moment – that’s how close it is amongst the seven drivers vying for those coveted five spots.

Before the hard work of winter rebuilds etc could begin, the annual trip to Tipp for the European Championship was on the agenda in mid-October. Martin, Doak, Thompson, Gary W and Will Scott were the Ulstermen gunning for the title on this occasion, and once again it was Keith who became the star of the show with a masterful weekend’s driving. He started at the back in his first heat, and his progress through the field to take a fine fourth spot was probably one of the drives of the season. With ease he picked the other cars off one at a time, inside or outside made absolutely no difference at all. This was followed by a commanding victory in his second heat, which left him tied on points for pole with local star Mike Riordan.

Keith duly won the toss of the coin, and although troubled early on by the #142 Mitsubishi driver, Keith was equal to every challenge and came home untroubled to complete the World and European double taken by arch rival Blackman in 2004. Thompson looked good during the weekend too, but the National, British and European treble was just a bridge too far for the young charger. Car problems left him down in ninth in his first heat, before he romped home to win his second in style. He wasn’t on a par with Martin in the final though, but was defending third place from Boardley when he tried to slam the door tightly shut on one of Carl’s overtaking attempts resulting in a wild ride down the infield and ultimately into the wall, ending his race.

Gary Woolsey had a heat second, and then converted his lowly grid position into a creditable fifth spot finish. Doak meanwhile was in the wars, and after narrowly avoiding the massive Hednesford shunt at the National Championship, he was not so lucky this time around and found himself centre stage in the massive race stopping accident that left the SHP Corsa looking decidedly second hand.

In January ‘05 we looked set for another lacklustre season of National Hot Rods in Northern Ireland, but as things turned out it could not have gone much better through the year. Increased car counts given the return of the Woolsey stable to regular racing, not to mention the debut of Stevie Williams and the imminent return of Ronnie McMillan mean that for once the numbers are heading in the right direction. There is always a down side though, and the loss of Clive Richardson is a massive blow to the racing here. Such committed and talented drivers are hard to come by, and perhaps Clive will be tempted back into the fray at some stage in the future.

Anyone who witnessed the excellent TV coverage of the National Championship weekend will also have heard the legendary Norman Woolsey announce his retirement from the sport.  Over the years he has won every honour going including three World Titles in ‘86, ‘89 and ‘93, and was the man who almost single-handedly kept the sport alive in Northern Ireland during the mid-nineties. His sons Gary and Wayne will keep the Woolsey name at the forefront of the sport though as they bid to make the World Finals at Ipswich next year. With usual challengers McCall, Martin and Doak all in the mix - along with rising stars Thompson and Christie - things are going to be nail-biting to say the least in the early months of 2006 as they all challenge for the five available positions on the World grid.

As for the major Championship races, 2005 saw the four major titles in the sport come back to the province for the first time since 1986, and on current form we must be in with a great chance of adding more silverware in 2006. It’s been said on many occasions over the last 25 years in National Hot Rod circles – discount the Ulstermen at your peril!
Darren Black

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