2008 World Series 14
Nutscorner Oval, Saturday 3rd May 2008.

Darren Black reports:  Fresh from his top ten placing on his Formula BMW Europe debut in Barcelona last weekend, William Buller was bang on form at Nuttscorner Oval on Saturday night when he steered his Rockingham Tigra to a faultless hat-trick of wins. In the final John Christie was his nearest challenger, but once he had broken through the pack Buller had long since disappeared.

There were 13 cars in the pits for this one, including a return to World Series action for Wayne Woolsey in his usual SHP 206cc. It was only a fun outing for Wayne and he started off the back of the grid, concentrating on racing his 2 Litre Rod on what was a busy night for him. Buller by the way was doubling up too, whilst Stewart Doak had probably wisely left his 2 Litre at home to concentrate fully on his National.

Alvin Christie (no relation, by the way, to “the” Christie’s) was having his Nuttscorner Oval debut in the formula, whilst for the anoraks amongst us, Tommy Maxwell had reverted back to his usual mount of the ex-Keith Martin World-winning 206.

Buller, obviously without a three-meeting average, had been seeded by the NHRPA directly in front of the seven cars still in contention for Ipswich qualification, but he wasted little time in bursting past front row men Steven Hanna and Davy McKay to take up the running in heat one. McKay followed him past Hanna for second, as Terry Maxwell got all crossed up and spun on the back straight, fortunately getting going again without any problems.

Hanna was soon railroaded to the outside, which held up early charges by Keith Martin and Stewart Doak, before the pretty #7 car ended up stranded on the exit of turn two following a spin which brought out the waved yellows.

Buller wasted little time in putting fresh air between himself and the rest when they got going once again, as the battle for third behind McKay intensified between the big men. Ronnie McMillan almost got squeezed out of it at one point, the resultant mix-up allowing Gary Woolsey to nip under Christie for fifth.

Buller sailed home to collect his maiden National Hot Rod win, with McKay impressive in second ahead of Mark Heatrick and McMillan.
Result: 302, 943, 960, 944, 940, 962, 996, 994, 50, 963, 404, 7.

Buller made a lightning start to heat two, darting right through the middle of the front row to lead into turn one. Tommy M tried to follow suit, but the gap had long since closed and he clobbered into both McKay and Hanna, sending McKay’s Corsa to the wall and putting the front near-side wheel of the Maxwell car right back against the bulkhead. Obviously the red flags got an airing and a complete restart was called.

Maxwell sat out the restart and the rest of the meeting, whilst McKay was able to rejoin with a back wheel arch at all sorts of angles, albeit voluntarily from the back. Buller unsurprisingly shot off into the lead once again, as Hanna was railroaded down the order on the outside.

Christie and Doak were, as usual, giving the fans value for money as they tried the outside amongst the pack – John being the one to benefit as he was able to get past McMillan before the end to finish third behind Buller and Heatrick. Doak wasn’t so lucky this time, the British Champion having to settle in behind Keith Martin and interestingly just in front of Wayne W, who had been hanging onto the main pack throughout both heats as if he’d never been away.
Result: 302, 960, 962, 944, 940, 994, 996, 50, 7, 404.

Wayne W sat out the final leaving 11 cars to take the green flag, and there couldn’t have been too many fans inside the stadium who would have bet against Buller taking the win yet again. Hanna made a much better start this time, and led them away before Buller made his move on the exit of turn four up the inside. That was the last anyone would see of the pristine #302 car, as William simply disappeared into the distance leaving the rest trailing in his wake.

McMillan was the first to try the outside line to break the deadlock further back, but his attempts to get on terms with Heatrick were to end in failure and Ronnie dropped back through the field. Christie was the next to give it a go, and after several laps on the wide line he broke free from Heatrick and the pack. Martin then took up the gauntlet too, but he found Heatrick much tougher to crack, and just couldn’t pull it off.

Christie soon had put a quarter of a lap on the main pack and was eating into Buller’s lead big time, but anyone who cast an ear towards the Rockingham car would have heard that William was barely on half throttle by this stage, and he coasted home to record an easy hat-trick, the first by a provisional licence holder in the formula. Christie was good value in second, which on any other night would probably have been an excellent win, with Heatrick next up followed by Martin and Doak in a photo finish.
Result: 302, 962, 960, 994, 996, 944, 940, 7, 943, 404.

The penultimate round of the series takes place on May 16 at Ballymena, before they all return to Nuttscorner Oval on May 24 for the series finale. The six World Qualifiers may be all but decided now, but I’m sure the calculators will be out in many of the workshops over the next few weeks as dropped scores come into effect before the NI Champion 2007/08 is crowned. Darren Black


2008 World Series 13
Ballymena, Friday 11th April 2008.

Darren Black reports:  Portadown driver Mark Heatrick cemented his position within the all-important top six in World Series NI with a heat and final double at Ballymena Raceway on Friday night. The Heatrick Demolition-backed driver also claimed a runner-up spot in the other heat for good measure, as it fell to Ronnie McMillan’s still new Tigra.

There were 13 cars on hand for this outing, the most notable being the debut of Alvin Christie (404) in the ex-Robin Morrow/ Colin Atkinson Ludlow Peugeot 206cc. Now pristine in silver livery, the car looked very much the part. The driver though would have some rustiness to shake off, as it’s quite a number of years since I remember him racing a 1600 Hot Rod at the old, original Nutts Corner Raceway.

There was also a welcome return for Stevie Williams, before we move on to the “what car did they use this week?” snippets. For your information – Tommy Maxwell was still in the ex-Lee 206, whilst Gary Woolsey reverted to his usual Ballymena mount of the Tigra.

The track was wet for heat one following a shower shortly before start time. Mark Keys had pole position for the first time, but it soon became obvious that the former Lightning Rod National Champion either had a problem, or most likely, didn’t have wets on! He was swamped as they traversed the back straight for the first time, causing a few hairy moments and three abreast activity. Heatrick grabbed the early initiative, and it was a joy to watch himself and second placed man McMillan enter the home straight for the first time “full of the rack” as they say in these parts. Ronnie soon slipped around Mark to take it up in what is, after all, his favoured conditions.

Woolsey and points leader Stewart Doak were going at it hammer and tongs for third, and this would catch the eye for the remainder of the race. Doak slipped under Woolsey after he had tried to nip around Heatrick for second, and they circulated side by side on the wet track with no-one giving an inch. When Doak finally nailed the position, Woolsey was obviously none too pleased for some reason and hammered into the rear of the #996 Tigra, not once but twice. The impact knocked Doak’s Tigra wide and the two again circulated as one with 100% commitment, with Doak even dealing the backmarking Steven Hanna car a glancing blow as he was forced wide whilst they lapped it.

McMillan went on to claim the first victory of the night, ahead of Heatrick. Doak and Keith Martin were elevated to third and fourth respectively by the Steward after Woolsey was quite rightly demoted two places for his earlier contact.
Result: 944, 960, 996, 994, 940 (x-2), 962, 369, 404, 963, 916, 7.

The rain had stopped in time for heat two, and a dry line had developed on the track. The fact though that the outside was still damp and greasy meant, as all short oval fans know, that the entertainment value would be greatly reduced for this one. After problems earlier, Davy McKay made his first start of the night in this one from the back, whilst Mark Keys elected to forego his pole position start.

Keith Martin was in trouble before we even got going when his clutch cable came adrift, and he was forced to make a rolling start from the rear of the line up. Heatrick again made the early running, as Tommy Maxwell got hung out to dry from his lonely front row start with the star men putting some pretty robust moves on him.

As Heatrick held sway at the head of the field, a slip by Woolsey allowed Doak and Martin underneath in what turned into a processional event due to the one line raceway. Mark took the chequers as McMillan kept him honest right till the end. John Christie grabbed third, with Doak fourth ahead of Martin and Woolsey.
Result: 960, 944, 962, 996, 994, 940, 943, 916, 369, 7, 404, 32, 963.

The “relatively” low temperature – it felt like the Caribbean compared to the Good Friday meeting here! -  had prevented the track from drying any come final time, so we were in for more of the one line stuff of the previous race. Tommy M again got swamped at the start as Heatrick led away. Further back Doak had made a blinding start to dart up the outside early on, but found his progress thwarted by Maxwell as he slipped down the order – Stewart eventually getting back in line behind McKay. He soon relegated Davy though, and set off after the train of line astern leaders comprising Heatrick, McMillan, Martin, Christie and Woolsey.

It looked to be fizzling out to a dull finish but Doak was prepared to offer the fans the value for money they were after. Immediately he took to the outside of Woolsey, only to drop back in line. Then he went for it again, and this time he got as far up the snake as Christie before being forced back once again. He wasn’t done there though, and went again with the lap boards out. Unfortunately it was never going to come off on such a difficult track, although he did earn the applause of quite a number who appreciated the effort. In fact, his final blast actually saw the impressive McKay, who had held onto the “big boys” throughout the race, down the inside to relegate Doak to seventh in the end. Heatrick had held allcomers off to claim his second win of the night from McMillan, Martin and Christie.
Result: 960, 944, 994, 962, 940, 943, 996, 916, 369, 32, 7, 404.

World Series NI action continues at Nuttscorner Oval on Saturday May 3rd.  Darren Black


2008 World Series 12
Nuttscorner Oval, Monday 24th March 2008.  Brian Lammey’s PHOTOS

Darren Black reports:  On a day when the closeness of Northern Ireland’s National Hot Rod racing was as evident as ever, Portadown’s Mark Heatrick helped himself to his first Nuttscorner Oval final win on Easter Monday. There was a thirteen car entry on hand for this one, with the heats falling the way of Ronnie McMillan in his new Tigra and Keith Martin.

Most notable amongst the entry was young William Buller, who made his debut in another immaculate Ludlow Motorsport Tigra. The teenager was also in action during the day in the supporting 2.0 Hot Rods, taking the final win from a record entry of 29 cars. Whilst taking his oval racing deadly serious, William’s main focus in 2008 is, of course, his Formula BMW Europe campaign with Fortec Motorsport, which will see him compete on the undercard at all the European Formula 1 Grand Prix as he tries to make a profession from his motorsport.

Of the others, we had lost Mark McKinstry from Friday’s Ballymena meeting (and of course the Tipperary regulars too), but gained not just Buller but Will Scott too - Will still behind the wheel of his SWM Fiesta. Gary Woolsey wheeled out his usual Nuttscorner mount in the McCall-built Corsa, whilst Tommy Maxwell continued in the ex-Rich Lee 206. There were also Nuttscorner Oval debuts for Mark Keys and Steven Hanna.

With Terry Maxwell, Davy McKay and Scott all electing to start at the rear with the provisional licence holders, it was Tommy M who had pole position in the opening heat of the day, intent on adding to his hat-trick three days previous at Ballymena. McMillan had other ideas though, and shot down the inside of both Tommy and Heatrick in a scary three-abreast moment into turn one to take it up. Heatrick slotted into second, but would lose out as things got rather untidy, with Tommy M bumping him wide and out of the train. Maxwell picked up the days’ first black cross for his troubles, as Heatrick got slotted back in only to get thumped wide by Woolsey – cue black cross number two.

McMillan continued to hold sway at the head of the field, with Martin now in second, whilst John Christie seemed to be struggling with a misfire as he laboured to keep points-leader and British Champion Stewart Doak at bay for third. Doak soon found a way past as the new Christie machine hesitated, and Woolsey was next to challenge John for what was now fourth. Gary’s attempts round the outside only succeeded in letting Buller down the inside – the youngster taking to the Nationals like a duck to water with the big names not fazing him in the slightest.

McMillan reeled off the remaining tours to give his Tigra its’ maiden victory, from Martin, Doak and Christie, with Buller inheriting a fine fifth following Woolsey’s demotion in race control.
Result: 944, 994, 996, 962, 302, 916, 940 (x-2), 960, 369 (x-2), 943, 963, 980, 7.

Tommy M wasn’t falling for the same trick from McMillan at the start of heat two, and kept the door firmly shut to head the field away. Heatrick soon took up second spot on the road after barging his way past McMillan, a move which hadn’t gone unnoticed by the Steward and he duly collected a cross next time around. In the shake-up Martin found himself in second, and he duly accepted the lead when Tommy M got way out of shape onto the back straight to get himself relegated by most of the top runners.

As Keith extended his lead, interest further back showed Mark Keys showing the first signs of transferring his Championship winning Lightning Rod form to the Nationals, when he was able to nip past Doak for a time, whilst a battle royal between Heatrick and Christie saw both cars out of shape on more than one occasion. Buller was also showing his pace once again, trading places with the more established names in only his second race. Hanna’s opening Nuttscorner Oval meeting then unfortunately came to an abrupt end when he smacked the wall and left his immaculate 206cc looking rather the worse for wear.

Martin took an easy win, from Woolsey and Doak, once Heatrick had been relegated to fourth for his infringement early on.
Result: 994, 940, 996, 960 (x-2), 962, 302, 944, 916, 943, 369, 980.

As if the cold wasn’t enough, a huge shower of rain and sleet, and sometimes hailstones to boot, had left the track pretty slippery for the start of the final. A rolling start was called for this one therefore, but once things had settled down we didn’t get very far before the yellows were flying for Tommy M spun on the River Bend, with McMillan rotating too entering the home straight. As so often seems to be the case, just as the yellows went out, both cars were moving again, but Sod’s Law always seems to be the winner doesn’t it???

Both the spinners rejoined at the rear of the queue as Heatrick led them back past the green, ahead of Christie and Doak. Previous heat winner Martin was struggling badly in the conditions and was falling well off the pace, but the same could not be said for McMillan, who clearly had the bit between his teeth in his favoured conditions. He easily relegated the tail-enders, and then slid past both Buller and Martin to appear in fifth. Woolsey was always going to be a tougher nut to crack though, and just when a little patience was called for Ronnie made his move at the wrong time. He got into the back of Gary’s Corsa onto the back straight, sending the #940 machine slithering wide, with Ronnie moving through, only to see exactly what he was expecting half a lap later – the day’s fourth black cross!

The top five were all together as we entered the final phase of the race, but Heatrick duly defended his lead all the way to the chequered flag to record the win, from Doak and Christie, with Woolsey and Buller moving ahead of McMillan in the post-race analysis.
Result: 960, 996, 962, 940, 302, 944 (x-2), 994, 369, 916, 980.

The next World Series round is back at Ballymena Raceway on Friday 11th April. Darren Black


2008 World Series 11
Ballymena, Friday 21st March 2008. Latest Points

Darren Black reports: The green flag fell on the 2008 season at Ballymena Raceway on Good Friday, and it was Tommy Maxwell who did all the winning on a bitterly cold night. A fine hat-trick in an unfamiliar car saw him do his World Final hopes a great deal of good.

With an impressive 17 cars in the pits, there was plenty to talk about amongst the entry. Firstly, there was the welcome sight of five visiting drivers from the Republic of Ireland using the meeting as a test session – Tom Casey, Mike Riordan, Des Cooney, Shane Murphy and Joey Butler all of course having to start off the back of the grid in the Northern Ireland World Qualifier.

Amongst the locals, two pristine new Ludlow Tigras caught the eye, as Ronnie McMillan and John Christie debuted their new charges. Ronnie’s 206 had only just arrived back from South Africa on Wednesday, and he had special dispensation from the NHRPA to bring both cars for practice. As it turned out, the Tigra more than impressed Ronnie, and the 206 didn’t even see the light of day. Tommy Maxwell’s 206 had also just returned from SA, but in a much worse state of repair, so he was forced to go with his recently acquired ex-Rich Lee SWM 206, albeit with the now ubiquitous Keith Martin front end.

There were also two drivers making their debuts in the formula too, the first being former Lightning Rod National and ORCi Champion Mark Keys (#916) in the ex-Hillard/Stow/McClure/Allen/Dilly SHP 206. The other was former Autograss man Steven Hanna (#7), who gridded an immaculate ex-Mark Sear Haird Motorsport 206cc. A final point of note was that Terry Maxwell was now using the number 963, with his ex-McMillan 206 now in almost exactly the same colours as brother Tommy’s usual mount.

Perhaps it was the months champing at the bit waiting on the action to get going again after the winter break, but all hell broke loose very early on in heat one. For some reason McMillan got into the back of pole-sitter Terry M big time into turn 1 after only a lap or two, the result being that Terry spun, taking brother Tommy with him on the outside. As cars went all directions, McMillan went to the outside looking to escape, only to spin right back across the racing line where he collected the unlucky points leader Stewart Doak, severely bending the #996 car’s back axle and breaking his own steering. Unsurprisingly, the red flags got their first wave of the season….

McMillan, Doak and Terry M were absent from the restart, with Tommy M taking up the running ahead of Mark Heatrick, Gary Woolsey and Christie. There was little to choose between them all in what turned out to be a very static race, and that’s how they stayed until the chequered flag.
Result: 369, 960, 940, 962, 994, 943, (970), (142), (961), (151), 974, 916.

The Cirrus Plastics team had performed a minor miracle to get Doak’s Tigra back in action for heat two, and McMillan and Terry M rejoined the fray too, although Terry this time opted to start from the rear of the line up. Tommy M once again set the early pace, this time tracked by McMillan, Christie, Woolsey, and Doak. As they circulated line astern, Woolsey had a few sniffs up the outside of Christie’s new motor, only allowing Doak and Martin through on the inside as a result. Once again the closeness of the top six or seven cars was evident as they circulated almost as one for much of the race, before McMillan hit the outside looking for the lead with a couple to run. Ronnie was obviously playing the percentage game, knowing that if he couldn’t make the move stick there was very little time to get rail-roaded right out of the major places. It almost paid off for him though, as he clawed right alongside Maxwell down the back straight for the final time, and only just failed to snatch the win in a photo finish. Christie claimed third, from Doak, Woolsey and Keith Martin.
Result: 369, 944, 962, 996, 940, 994, 960, 943, (961), (921), (151), (970), (142), 974, 7.

There was a restart required in the final too, as Mark Heatrick found out that three abreast out of turn two on lap one doesn’t usually work. The resultant aerobatics saw the SHP 206cc left stranded half way down the back straight with broken suspension.

Tommy M once again took it up at the second time of asking, as the slow away Davy McKay baulked several of the big names, with Christie being the major loser in it all. Maxwell had a tirade of Tigras tracking him this time, as McMillan, Woolsey and Doak followed his every move. Woolsey had his hands full keeping Doak at bay, allowing the front pair to break clear a few times, but Ronnie was once again biding his time and sure enough they were soon all back together again in a train.

Just like in the previous race, the appearance of the lap boards was McMillan’s cue to go for it. He easily pulled up alongside Maxwell, but what he feared was about to come true, and he got checked back and in an instant Woolsey had filled the gap on the inside and Ronnie was in danger of getting hung out to dry. The chequered flag came to his rescue however, just as he must’ve planned, with Maxwell taking the spoils and a faultless hat-trick of wins – just what the doctor ordered when you’re one spot outside the top six. Woolsey took his gift of second, with McMillan just holding on for third from Doak, Martin, Christie and McKay.
Result: 369, 940, 944, 996, 994, 962, 943, (961), (921), 974, (151), 963, 7.

World Series NI now moves on to Nuttscorner Oval on Easter Monday for WQ12.  Darren Black.
NB. All results are as seen trackside and are in no way official.


2008 World Series 10
Nuttscorner Oval, Saturday 20th October 2007

Darren Black reports:  In a race meeting that showcased National Hot Rod racing at its very best, it was John Christie who grabbed his second final win in three Nuttscorner Oval meetings on Saturday night. All three races saw frenetic battles for all the positions, with the heats falling to Mark Heatrick and Gary Woolsey.

There were a couple of welcome newcomers amongst the excellent fifteen cars in the pits for this encounter, with ex-Lightning Rod man Thomas Dilly stepping up to the Nationals in the ex-Hillard/Stow SHP 206 most recently raced locally by Wayne McClure and Francis Allen. The other was Davy Gurney, who returned to the ovals having become disillusioned with the rallying he’s been partaking in of late. He wheeled out a Peugeot 205 sourced from the Outlaw series at Arena-Essex, but gearbox woes saw him sidelined during practice and unable to make his debut. The smile on his face suggested he will soon be back for more though…

Ian Thompson Snr quickly turned his pole spot into the early lead in heat one, with Tommy Maxwell tracking his every move. Jason Winning, the final winner last time out, got stuck on the outside and quickly fell down the order. The lead duo had opened a gap as Gary Woolsey looked for a way by Mark Heatrick, looking both inside and out – a bit of déjà vu from the last meeting which of course ended in tears. There soon was trouble at the front though, as Maxwell aimed for a gap inside Thompson, into turn one. It turned out to be a gap that was closing fast, and the two cars came together with Maxwell being left stranded mid-track to give the yellows an airing.

Heatrick accepted the lead of the race quite gratefully, and he led them off for the remainder of the race which saw a high speed train of hot rods circulating in close proximity. Woolsey kept him honest all the way but it wasn’t to be, leaving Heatrick the victor, with Ronnie McMillan third ahead of Stewart Doak and Keith Martin, who crossed the line almost side by side.
Result: 960, 940, 944, 996, 994, 962, 983, 801, 943, 974, 555, 980.

There was drama for Thompson early on in heat two, as he pulled up during the warm up laps in trouble. Efforts were made to get him going, but the rest eventually took the green without him. Jason Winning led early on before a halt was called when Terry Maxwell slammed the back straight wall in his ex-McMillan 206, bringing out the reds and a complete restart.

Winning wasn’t nearly as quick away at the second time of asking, leaving Tommy M to take up the lead. Woolsey had crucially cleared Heatrick early on in this one, and was soon tracking the leader down. There then followed some interesting tactics from Gary, as he knew that, with his point’s situation critical, he could not afford to get stuck outside Maxwell and get railroaded back. He then proceeded to back the rest of the pack up for a few laps, getting them side by side and squabbling amongst themselves, before getting the hammer down and closing the gap to Maxwell. This gave him some clear air from the third placed man, allowing an all-out attack on Maxwell, which soon netted him the lead and the win. Maxwell claimed an excellent second, from Heatrick, McMillan, Martin and Christie
Result: 940, 369, 960, 944, 994, 962, 943, 983, 996, 980.

Thompson was repaired and able to lead them away in the final, whilst fellow front row man Winning once again got hung out to dry on the outside. Tommy Maxwell was now holding station in second, but soon Woolsey had found a way by on the inside. Many would have expected Maxwell to be the next victim to get railroaded back on the outside line, but Tommy doggedly hung on for his life alongside Woolsey, with the rest of the train snapping at Gary’s rear panel. It was clear that Woolsey was playing with them once again, as he backed everyone up behind him yet never allowed Thompson’s lead to rise to any more than 5/6 car lengths.

Lap after lap Maxwell hung in there on the outside, one minute alongside Woolsey for second, the next battling to hang onto fifth or sixth. McMillan got out of shape in turn 3 allowing Christie under him, and suddenly after all the side by side racing which the crowd were enjoying, Woolsey’s tactics were going out the window as he now had star men behind him. He took off after Thompson for the lead, but this time instead of leaving the pack behind to battle amongst themselves, he had Christie and Doak for company. Gary soon latched on to Thompson’s 206cc but straight away Christie hit the outside. You could visibly see the crowd willing him on down the back straight as he drew alongside the #940 Corsa and then Thompson to take it up to rapturous applause around the stadium. Woolsey soon followed him by, but they were all brought short with 5 to go when Maxwell ended up across the back straight having given the wall a glancing blow as his superb outside run came to an unfortunate end.

The restart saw one of the finest races of the season end in something of an anti-climax over the remaining 5 tours, with Christie enjoying a popular win from Woolsey, Doak, Martin and Winning.
Final: 962, 940, 996, 994, 983, 801, 944, 960, 943, 980, 966.  Darren Black.


2008 World Series 09
Nuttscorner Oval, Saturday 6th October 2007

Darren Black reports:  Former F2 and 1600 Hot Rod star Jason Winning was the top performer at NI World Series Round 9 at Nuttscorner Oval with a heat and final double, his first victories since stepping up to the National class. On a night which saw 12 cars racing and tempers frayed, Rab Forsythe also claimed his first win in the formula with a heat two victory.

There were a couple of interesting entries for this one, both of them newcomers to the Nationals and starting off the back on provisional licences. Long time F2 stalwart Darren McKinstry (974) was racing his brother Mark’s ex-Ian Thompson/Clive Richardson 206, whilst Terry Maxwell (555), brother of Tommy, was behind the wheel of the ex-Ronnie McMillan 206 after completing his first season of racing in the Brisca class.

Winning was the first to show at the fall of the first green flag of the night, and wasted little time putting daylight between himself and the pack, led by Ian Thompson Snr and Forsythe. Further back a real battle royal was developing as Gary Woolsey spent many laps alongside Mark Heatrick. Time and again Gary almost dragged himself right past, but just couldn’t get far enough by to make it stick, with plenty of paint being swapped in the process. It was eventually ended when Gary got in behind Heatrick and helped him into turn 3, sending Heatrick wide and allowing a train of cars through on the inside. Woolsey picked up a black cross next time round for his troubles. None of this was worrying Winning though, and he took the flag half a lap clear of the field, with Thompson second from Forsythe and McMillan, after Woolsey was dropped two places for the contact on Heatrick.
Result: 983, 801, 992, 944, (940(x-2)), 994, 996, 962, 960, 369, 974, 555.

It was a similar start to heat two, with Winning breaking away but only after it almost ended in tears as Thompson tried to force his way through on the inside into the first bend. All eyes were fixed on the main pack though, as once again Woolsey was sticking it out on the outside of Heatrick. Mark was giving him all the room he needed, but time and again Woolsey tried to cut in front of the #960 car when not fully ahead. It all ended in tears when Woolsey chopped across him into turn 3, with the NW Developments car traversing the bend sideways before coming to rest across the track entering the home straight. Almost everyone got by, but Keith Martin was the unfortunate one who clipped the Corsa and he was out on the spot. The waved yellows were called for, and there then followed some heated exchanges between officials of the meeting and Gary and a member of his team, which unfortunately led to him being loaded up from the meeting.

Once we got going again after a delay, Forsythe and Tommy Maxwell got the jump on Winning and Rab was able to reel off the remaining laps to take a pleasing victory. Following him home were Tommy M, Winning and Christie, after Stewart Doak was demoted two places for inadvertently overtaking under waved yellows aired for the Woolsey incident.
Result: 992, 369, 983, 962, 996, 960, 944, 801, 974, 555.

There was an explosive start to the final, as Thompson slid into the wall on lap 3 and had the ex McCall/Richardson 206cc burst into flames as the fuel cap had not been attached. The blaze was quickly extinguished and Ian joined in for the full restart. His excitement didn’t end there though, as both he and Forsythe went around on turn 1 of the restarted race. Forsythe retired, whilst Thompson continued but well adrift of the pack. Winning meanwhile was looking good once again at the head of the field, with Heatrick his nearest challenger this time but struggling to get on terms. Behind, McMillan and Doak were having a decent dice for third with Christie and Martin likewise for fifth. Winning held on to collect the silverware and underline his future promise, with Heatrick second from McMillan, Doak and Christie.
Result: 983, 960, 944, 996, 962, 994, 369, 555, 974, 801.

World Series NI Round 10 takes place back at Nuttscorner Oval on Saturday October 20th, after many of the local drivers compete at Tipperary for the European Championship where Keith Martin will defend his title. Darren Black


2008 World Series 08
Ballymena, Friday 28th September 2007

Darren Black reports:  Crumlin’s Tommy Maxwell bagged another healthy haul of World Championship qualifying points at Ballymena on Friday night, when he grabbed a fine heat and final double. He only narrowly missed out on Ulster’s first 70-point maximum score too, as John Christie beat him into second spot in heat two.

There was an improved 13 car entry for the night’s proceedings, with Rab Forsythe, Davy McKay and Robin Morrow returning having missed the previous encounter. It was also pleasing to see Forsythe and Francis Allen joining Jason Winning in taking up their allocated grid slots and giving the ‘big guns’ more work to do on their way to the front. On the machinery front, Ronnie McMillan continued in the Alan Connolly 206, whilst Gary Woolsey wheeled out his Ludlow Corsa for this one following his shunt with the Corsa at Nuttscorner Oval a week previous.

Maxwell wasted no time setting out his stall for the night by quickly grabbing the heat one lead early on, as Ian Thompson Snr and Allen got railroaded back through the field. McKay held second from Forsythe and Winning, but Mark Heatrick soon led the more established names to the front, as the trio dropped through the field with Winning in particular having a few hairy moments as he mounted the wall. As Maxwell extended his lead at the front, Heatrick had Christie, Keith Martin and Stewart Doak in pursuit, with Keith somehow making a hole inside John entering the back straight to snatch third and bringing British Champion Doak through with him.

Maxwell continued to the flag with ease to notch win number one of the night, from Heatrick, Martin, Doak, Christie and McMillan.
Result: 369, 960, 994, 996, 962, 944, 940, 801, 992, 943, 905.

There was a hectic start to heat two, and while Maxwell showed first again there was all sorts of shenanigans behind as they headed down the back straight with McKay and Martin, to name two, both finding themselves out of shape and almost in big trouble. Thankfully nothing too untoward happened, but it transpired that it was all the result of Winning’s woes, as he had continued unaware that he had broken a steering arm on the entrance to turn one. Just how he got parked up as far away as turn three without a major accident happening is anyone’s guess, but they all continued nonetheless. As Allen went for a wild spin on the back straight with little time loss, Maxwell’s departure into the distance wasn’t just as cut and dried this time. When Christie dived underneath Heatrick down the home straight to go second, it was obvious that John was going to seriously threaten the leader this time. Threaten him he did too, and he soon took over the lead, before cruising on to the win. Maxwell took the runner-up’s spot, with Woolsey, Martin and Doak next up after they had all relegated Heatrick to sixth.
Result: 962, 369, 940, 994, 996, 960, 944, 801, 992, 943, 914, 905.

There was a much depleted field for the final, with Allen, Winning, Morrow and McKay all loaded up for the night with various problems. Forsythe was the next to find trouble, as he barely got off the line and was swamped by the rest of the field – Rab parking up his ex-Ivan McMillan Corsa on the inside of turn one with his race over. The smaller field led to Heatrick in second seeming closer to Maxwell early on this time, but the question was could he close in? Woolsey was soon on the chase too once he’d relegated Thompson, with Doak making moves in the right direction as well having gone around McMillan, Christie and Thompson. Woolsey then got on terms with Heatrick, who spurned his attempts to pass and allowed Doak to latch onto them, with Martin and Christie in close attendance too. All this was playing right into Maxwell’s lap, as he merrily continued on his way to his second chequered flag of the night. Heatrick held off the combined challenge of Woolsey and Doak for a commendable second spot finish, with Martin and Christie rounding out the top six to finish off Ballymena’s National Hot Rod proceedings for 2007.
Result: 369, 960, 940, 996, 994, 962, 944, 801.  Darren Black


2008 World Series 07
Nuttscorner Oval, Saturday 22nd September 2007

Darren Black reports:  John Christie produced a superb last lap charge around the outside line to capture the final spoils in a photo finish at World Series NI Round 7 at Nuttscorner Oval. On a night with plenty of talking points, Tommy Maxwell and Keith Martin shared the heats, whilst Gary Woolsey left the stadium with a badly damaged Corsa, and a badly damaged points total to boot.

There were eleven cars in action for this one, with Will Scott making a welcome return in his Fiesta. Francis Allen was again behind the wheel of the McClure 206 as he completed his third provisional meeting, whilst former 1600 Hot Rod and Brisca F2 man Jason Winning took his allocated grid slot for the first time now that he’s comfortable with his ex-Neville Stanley 206.

Maxwell was first to show from pole in heat one, ahead of Ian Thompson Snr, with Winning slotting in behind Ronnie McMillan, who was still at the wheel of the Alan Connolly Ludlow 206. British Champion Stewart Doak was looking in irresistible form once again, as he left the other star names behind and swooped right around Mark Heatrick to head after the leaders. Heatrick meanwhile now had Martin, John Christie and Woolsey looking for a way by, but the youngster held them at bay. Doak soon eased by Winning to close on McMillan, as Thompson slowed dramatically with smoke pouring from the left rear wheel. Doak now took to the outside of McMillan for second, but failed to make it stick, with new-boy Winning even having the audacity to nibble up the inside of Stewart as he struggled on the wide line. Maxwell was well clear at the end, taking a fine win from McMillan, Doak, Winning, Heatrick and Martin.
Result: 369 Tommy Maxwell, 944, 996, 983, 960, 994, 940, 962, 914, 980, 801.

There was drama before heat two kicked off, as Heatrick ground to a halt on the warm up laps with a broken half shaft. They set off then without him, and Maxwell again got the jump to lead from Thompson, McMillan and Winning. We soon had one massive National Hot Rod train of upwards of 10 cars circulating as one at lightning pace, before it all kicked off on the River Bend mid-race. Thompson got way out of shape on the way in, with McMillan left with nowhere to go as in an instant he was faced with the #801 car across the front of him. Ronnie hit Thompson, spinning the 206cc around, but the real damage was still to come as it rolled backwards onto the racing line. Doak just got through and no more, but Woolsey was the unlucky victim as he collected it with the passenger side of his Corsa. As the yellows waved, Gary’s car was left with severe damage – the rear wheels pointing in all directions and his night was done.

Winning got swamped at the restart, as Maxwell continued to lead from Doak and Martin. That’s how it stayed right until the end, with Tommy looking safe in the lead until he got much too deep into turn three on the final tour, leaving a gap one of his Maxwell Freight lorries could quite easily have utilised. Doak dived inside, only for Maxwell to come back across him taking the momentum from both cars. It was now a drag race to the line from turn four, with Martin slipping past both to claim it by inches on the line. Maxwell held onto second, from Doak, Christie and Winning.
Result: 994 Keith Martin, 369, 996, 944, 962, 983, 980, 801.

Heatrick only just made the line-up for the final, but opted to start from the back of the field for this one. For the third time Maxwell led them away, from Thompson and McMillan, with Ronnie once again looking for a way by the #801 machine. It all went pear shaped into turn one, as he tipped Thompson into his second spin of the night, although fortunately he wasn’t collected this time. With Ian momentarily stranded, the yellows had been called for, and at the restart Christie found himself in second, ahead of McMillan (who collected a black cross on the restart for his part in Thompson’s demise), Winning, Martin and Doak.

Doak and Martin soon relegated Winning, but at the front Christie seemed reluctant to take to the outside of Maxwell, who was leaving him plenty of room. John obviously was thinking points, and how he could well lose a handful if he got stuck out wide, but his opportunity soon came as the squabbling behind gave the lead duo a little breathing space. John hit the outside line, but was run wide by Maxwell onto the marbles, and in an instant he went from challenging for the lead to desperately hanging onto his second from McMillan who had nipped down the inside. Christie wasn’t for giving up though and eventually slotted back into second with the laps running out. He quickly closed in on Maxwell again, and with less than two to go, and spurred on by the crowd, he got the bit between his teeth and went for it again. They were neck and neck down the back straight for the final time, and John just edged clear to grab the victory by the slimmest of margins on the line. Maxwell was a gallant runner up, with Martin third and the impressive Winning fourth, after McMillan was docked two places for the earlier incident with Thompson.
Result: 962 John Christie, 369, 994, 983, 944 (x-2), 996, 914, 901, 980, 960.  Darren Black.
Photos by Brian Lammey in the GALLERY


2008 World Series 06
Nuttscorner Oval, Saturday 1st September 2007

Darren Black reports:  Ronnie McMillan made it two final wins in two days as he really got his World qualifying campaign back on track with a heat and final double at an entertaining Round 6 at Nuttscorner Oval on Saturday night.

There were twelve cars on hand for this one, with Francis Allen back in action again in the Wayne McClure car. Jason Winning made his Nuttscorner Oval nationals debut, although Rab Forsythe wasn’t in the line up this time, concentrating on his 2 Litre Hot Rod instead for the night. McMillan was once again in the Connolly 206, with everyone else in their usual mounts.

Car problems saw Davy McKay elect to start from the rear in heat one, with a spot left vacant for him for future races. That left Tommy Maxwell all alone on the front row, but he was soon swamped by the entire field, as Ian Thompson Snr took up the running from Mark Heatrick. McMillan was running third and harrying the leaders, but a moment through turns one and two saw him drop off the racing line and gift the spot to Irish Open Champion Keith Martin. Stewart Doak, Gary Woolsey and John Christie all followed through before Ronnie could recover, and we soon had a high speed train of eight cars lapping on a very fast pace. At the sharp end, Heatrick obviously felt he was quicker than Thompson, but despite a few looks to the outside, you could tell he had visions of the whole field passing him by if he tried it for real. Thompson therefore held on for the win, with Heatrick second from Martin, Doak, Woolsey and Christie.
Result: 801, 960, 994, 996, 940, 962, 944, 943, 983, 369, 914, 905.

Thompson was again the first to show in heat two, but McMillan soon caught him napping into turn one to take it up. Ronnie had Christie for company this time, and the two soon put some fresh air between themselves and the rest. Thompson and Heatrick were renewing their acquaintances for third, with Martin, Doak and Woolsey caught up behind. Doak was the first to have a go, and he showed just how capable his Tigra is on the outside as he grappled his way past the lot to go third. Martin and Woolsey soon followed him, but McMillan was home and dry for the win, with Christie keeping him honest all the way to the flag. Doak, Martin and Woolsey were next up, with Thompson and Heatrick swapping quite a bit of paint as they finished sixth and seventh respectively.
Result: 944, 962, 996, 994, 940, 801, 960, 983, 369, 905, 914.

Thompson grabbed the early lead in the feature race, but Heatrick had early ideas about getting by the obstacle he’d encountered all night by immediately taking to the outside. He held on out wide for a number of tours, but just couldn’t make it stick and soon McMillan, Christie, Doak, Martin and Woolsey had relegated the youngster. McMillan could now smell a second final win in two days as he stepped up to challenge Thompson, and a slight mistake from Ian exiting turn two gave Ronnie the opportunity into the River Bend – the #944 car going ahead after some contact between the two which attracted a black cross as McMillan took up the running. Thompson lost a hatful of places at the same time, as Christie took up second ahead of Doak. Stewart then put the move of the meeting on John, with a clinical if somewhat robust move down the inside to move ahead, with John also being relegated back to sixth by the time he’d recovered. His troubles didn’t end there, as he then tripped over Heatrick to end up facing the wrong way and right out of it.

It was now a four horse race for the lead as Martin and Woolsey joined Doak and McMillan. Doak took to the outside of McMillan for the lead with those behind waiting to capitalise as the crowd really became vocal and began to get involved. Stewart couldn’t make it past though, and Ronnie made it to the chequers first for the second night in a row. Doak, Woolsey, Martin and Heatrick followed home, as attentions now turned to Ronnie’s black cross which was halting the usual spectator exodus to the car park. Evidence was sought from both parties involved in the incident, and Ronnie kept the win and with it another shot in the arm for the recently unlucky McMillan camp.
Result: 944, 996, 940, 994, 960, 983, 914, 943, 962, 801, 905, 369.  Darren Black


2008 World Series 05
Ballymena, Friday 31st August 2007

Darren Black reports:  The McMillan team have gone through a tough time of late, but Ronnie delivered a real tonic for everyone by taking the final win at yet another wet Ballymena round on Friday night. Earlier heat wins had been enjoyed by Gary Woolsey and Stewart Doak.

There were a few points of note amongst the entry, notably Ronnie McMillan in the Alan Connolly Ludlow 206, with illness and injury ruling Alan out until at least the new year. Ronnie was carrying an injury too, with a broken thumb the result of a practice incident a couple of weeks earlier. Ronnie’s reason for driving the #77 car was of course the fact that brother Ivan had wrecked his usual mount the previous week, but it was good news all round as Ivan was released from hospital the day of the meeting with a full body cast to preserve his broken neck vertebrae. Of the others, Gary Woolsey had elected to race his Corsa once again instead of the Tigra campaigned at the previous round.

Ian Thompson snr soon relieved Davy McKay of the lead in heat one, which had only a slightly wet track, and had seen some drivers gamble on a combination of slicks and wets. McMillan had a moment on the back straight with two wheels on the wall at one stage, before Gary W swept by to take the lead. McMillan followed him through, as did John Christie, which was how they stayed to the flag. Thompson held on for fourth, ahead of Keith Martin and points leader Stewart Doak – both struggling on the wrong tyre choice.
Result: 940, 944, 962, 801, 994, 996, 943, 960, 983, 992, 369.

We almost lost half the field for heat two, with 5 cars being left outside the track as the warm up laps began after taking an absolute age to get from the pits. Fortunately they were allowed to take the start, but McKay almost failed to move at all at the green, and was hit by Thompson, with Mark Heatrick and Martin landing glancing blows too. All had cleared itself without any need for a caution, and Tommy Maxwell took up the running from McMillan and Gary W. Ronnie looked for a way by a few times, even ending up on the grass at one point, but Martin and Doak had soon joined in the fun at the front. Doak was looking real good, and after Woolsey and Martin had swapped places a few times, Stewart went right around the outside of them both. He then switched back to nip underneath Maxwell to take it up and seal a fine win. Woolsey was runner up from Martin, McMillan and Christie in a superb race.
Result: 996, 940, 994, 944, 962, 801, 992, 369, 983.

Maxwell and McMillan set off to battle for the lead once again in the final, but Ronnie soon settled into the lead as McKay went out on the Fisherwick bend. Martin was dicing with Woolsey yet again too, Keith moving through to second as a result. Doak was being significantly delayed behind Thompson, but after breaking clear closed the gap to the front-runners quite easily. At the front McMillan was home and dry from Martin, with Doak making it through to third after accounting for Woolsey and Christie.
Result: 944, 994, 996, 940, 962, 801, 983, 992, 943, 369.
All results are as viewed trackside and not official.  Darren Black


2008 World Series 04
Ballymena, Friday 24th August 2007

Cullybackey racer Davy McKay earned his first ever victory in the National class, but only just! The former Stock Rod man only moved into the premier ranks at the start of the season and fought out a thrilling final with Irish Open Champion Keith Martin that saw the pair separated by only seven hundredths of a second at the flag! Martin had earlier won the opening heat which was marred by a nasty crash for Ivan McMillan, the local driver nursing damage to his neck after a massive impact with the wall. The other heat brought a win for Antrim driver Tommy Maxwell. Randalstown driver Jason Winning was the latest driver to make his debut in the National Hot Rods at Raceway and the former F2 driver made a solid first outing at the wheel of his attractive Peugeot 206.
Heat One: 994 - 962 - 996 - 960 - 943 - 992 - 983 - 801
Heat Two: 369 - 960 - 940 - 994 - 996 - 962 - 992 - 983
Final: 943 Davy McKay - 994 - 940 - 996 - 962 - 369 - 960 – 992
WQR 5 Friday 31st August 2007. With thanks to Colin Arbuthnott


2008 World Series 02
Nuttscorner Oval, Saturday 28th July 2007

Darren Black reports:  Tommy Maxwell took a well-deserved first final win in the National Hot Rods at Nuttscorner Oval on Saturday night during the second round of the 2008 World Series. The new qualifying grid format produced some excellent racing throughout the night, and was well received by fans and drivers alike. Mark McKinstry earlier grabbed the win in the opening encounter of the night, and Ronnie McMillan enjoyed a deserved heat two victory given his lengthy recent lay off through injury.

Entry wise, Ronnie was back in his normal 206, having sampled brother Ivan’s Corsa at Ballymena the previous night. Gary Woolsey was still in his Corsa too, with the Tigra parked up ready for Hednesford one presumes. All the others were as per usual, with Ian Thompson Snr continuing in the ex-Richardson/McCall 206CC having made his first appearance in it the previous night.

Heat One
Thompson led them off in the first Nuttscorner Oval encounter of the 2008 Series, with McKinstry slotting into second. Stewart Doak had made a tremendous getaway but was baulked on the outside by Tommy Maxwell as he slipped back through the pack. McKinstry soon made a move for the lead with Thompson losing out altogether as the Peugeot 206 driver took up the running, closely followed by Round 1 winner Mark Heatrick. Behind these the McMillan brothers were holding third and fourth, until Ronnie got well crossed up on the Airport Bend to let a host of star men through.

Back at the sharp end and Heatrick had a look outside McKinstry, only to quickly find himself stuck out on the wide line and relegated back as a result. McKinstry came home for a fine win, with Ivan McM hanging on in second. Keith Martin had a tear around the outside at the end, getting up alongside Ivan but got relegated back in the final shake up. Gary W claimed third from John Christie, Mark Heatrick, Doak and Martin.
Result: 21 Mark McKinstry, 946, 940, 962, 960, 996, 994, 944, 77, 369, 943, 801.

Heat Two
Thompson was again first to show in heat two, but soon had McKinstry and Maxwell all over the 206cc like a rash. There was a hairy three abreast moment coming onto the home straight between the three which they just about got sorted out over the start finish line. It was still messy into turn one though, with Maxwell punting McKinstry into a lurid wide slide which saw the #21 car smack the wall, bringing out the waved yellows. Maxwell got a black cross during the caution period, and Heatrick soon followed on the race resumption with one of his own for a very ambitious lunge inside Thompson.

Ronnie McM immediately relieved the two of them of the lead position they’d been fighting for, and held on all the way to the flag. Gary W kept Ronnie honest in second, with Doak third from Martin and Christie, after Heatrick was dropped two places from fourth to sixth.
Result: 944 Ronnie McMillan, 940, 996, 994, 962, 960 (x-2), 77, 801, 946, 943, -, 369 (x-2).

Final
Once again Thompson set the early pace in the feature final, but was soon relegated by both Maxwell and Heatrick, with McKinstry retiring his repaired rod to the infield on lap one. Doak had the bit between his teeth right from the drop of the flag in this one, going into turn 1 three abreast in a bid to gain ground. It was working too, only for the slower Thompson car to baulk him as it dropped back.

Heatrick had obviously enjoyed his Round 1 final win, and was certainly after another, as he pressured Maxwell inside and out. Just like earlier Mark’s eagerness to get outside was to be his downfall, as he allowed Ronnie McM to get under him and in an instant he was going backwards as the train came through under the cc. Connolly moved through to third and once again that man Doak was on the outside, gaining loads, then losing it again time and again, before coming back for another go. It didn’t really pay off in the end, but the British Champion found many admirers in the crowd for his attempts on the outside right throughout the evening.

Up at the front Maxwell was home and dry for his first ever final victory in the Rockingham Motor Speedway backed event, and this only 4 months or so since he joined the class, or any form of motorsport at that. Ronnie McM was good value in second, with Connolly, Gary W, Christie and Doak next up.
Result: 369 Tommy Maxwell, 944, 77, 940, 962, 996, 994, 960, 946, 801. Darren Black
Photos by Simon Kennedy & Brian Lammey HERE

Archived reports from previous seasons HERE
Review of the year 2006 HERE