2009 World Series 08
Nuttscorner Oval, Saturday 18th October 2008
Darren Black reports:  Same venue, same track conditions, same final winner – only this time Jason Winning went even further than he did a fortnight ago by claiming both heat wins as well at a greasy and tricky Nuttscorner Oval on Saturday night.

There were 11 cars present for this the final outing of 2008 for the Nationals in Ulster. Davy Gurney was back with his Fiesta after a few meetings away, whilst Keith Martin returned to his own ‘usual’ car after another outing in the Haird Motorsport machine at Tipperary’s European Championship. Regardless of his Tipp shunt which damaged his Tigra (it actually wasn’t as bad as it looked seemingly), Gary Woolsey was always going to be in his Corsa for this one, and he duly was for a meeting sponsored by his fathers NW Developments concern.

Gurney’s return to the fold was rather short-lived, as he limped into retirement during the warm-up laps for the first heat with sparks showering from some sort of suspension failure. Unfortunately for Davy, that would be the end of his night before it had really even started.

Rolling starts were the order of the day again for this one, and Winning was fastest out of the blocks to lead them away. There were a few hairy moments as they all encountered the tricky turn one under racing conditions for the first time, Tommy Maxwell pulling off a ‘wall of death’-like adventure right around the concrete. He lost places hand-over-fist as well as a lot of ground, as did Ronnie McMillan somewhere in the middle of it all.

Martin was through to second, with Mark Heatrick holding sway in third with a group of Glenn Bell, Stewart Doak and Woolsey all over him. Anyone who got off line at all onto the greasy stuff was brought almost to a standstill such was the lack of grip, but the plus side for anyone defending a place was that if you kept it neat and tidy no-one was ever going around you.

Bell decided it was worth a punt on the outside of Heatrick, but in truth it was never coming off, and Glenn slid right back off the pace before losing it and spinning off altogether.

Winning was now well ahead, so far in fact that as he took the chequered flag he was in amongst a group of backmarkers that consisted of Messrs Maxwell, Christie and Jonny Stevenson. Martin got his night off to a decent start in second, from Heatrick, Doak and Woolsey.
Result: 983, 994, 960, 996, 940, 369, 888, 962, 944, 9

As they set off again in heat two, Christie once again had a woeful start from his outside front of the second group grid slot. John would most certainly have been intending to capitalise on his improved grid position following his engine woes in the last round, but it wasn’t exactly working out to plan.

Winning was again the first to show, and straight away it looked like another victory was heading his way, given that he has enough experience to keep it smooth and calm if challenged on the – by now - most definitely one line track. Stevenson settled into second this time ahead of Maxwell, before we lost Heatrick who somehow managed to glance the wall in turn one/two and then retired with broken steering.

Maxwell got up the inside of Stevenson to go second, just as Bell got caught out going onto the back straight. He had a wild slide, allowing Woolsey underneath him. The young Stock Rod World Champion gathered it all up to regain the line for turn three, only to get thumped up the rear by Doak who had already committed to following Woolsey through. The resultant contact sent Bell wide and as such as out of it, and earned Doak a black cross next time through.

As Stevenson gathered up a moment onto the back straight which cost him time but luckily nothing else, Winning was actually coming under pressure for the lead from Maxwell. Jason was equal to it though, and made it two out of two with the win. Stevenson took a creditable third in such difficult conditions, with Martin, Woolsey and McMillan next up after Doak had been docked two places for his earlier misdemeanour.
Result: 983, 369, 888, 994, 940, 944, 962, 996, 9

With the track showing no signs of improvement, even the most hardened of National Hot Rod fan wouldn’t have held out much hope of any sort of decent final. The drivers were certainly up for it, and a very ragged rolling start followed by loads of bumping and boring into turn one saw the reds get an airing and an unsatisfactory start called.

Winning looked like he had done the hard bit when he got himself away in the lead, but Maxwell and Martin purposely got themselves into second and third early on to set about challenging the ex-Brisca F2 man. Heatrick was next up, once gain in the much too familiar pose of fending off the attentions of Bell and Woolsey.

The front two were pulling clear, and when Martin started to fall into the clutches of the rest it was clear all was not well with the #994 Peugeot. Shortly after, this was confirmed, when Keith coasted into retirement with oil pressure problems - handing third to Heatrick.

Winning was still ahead when it mattered, taking the flag and a fine hat-trick in the most trying of circumstances. He never put a foot wrong all night, something many a more experienced pilot would have struggled to do such was the stinking nature of the track. After a promising run at Tipp last week too, Jason could well be one to watch in 2009. Maxwell came through for second, with Heatrick heading home Bell, Woolsey and Doak for third but a quarter-lap behind the leaders.
Result: 983, 369, 960, 9, 940, 996, 944, 962, 888.

That brings down the curtain on another year of National Hot Rodding in Ulster, and it has to be said it was a very lacklustre night on such a trying surface. The next outing is the non-points scoring Winternationals at Ballymena on New Year’s Day. With Tipperary not running right through the winter months, we may well get a few travellers for this one from south of the border to warm us up in the midst of winter. Darren Black

2009 World Series 07
Nuttscorner Oval, Saturday 4th October 2008
Darren Black reports:  Jason Winning took the honours when the National Hot Rods competed in World Series NI Round 7 at Nuttscorner Oval on Saturday night. It was a meeting dominated by track conditions, which started off greasy right across the raceway, only for a drying line to develop and render the outside line nothing short of treacherous. Keith Martin had earlier taken the flag in heat one, before Stewart Doak mastered the conditions to perfection to take the flag in heat two in one of the drives of the season here in Ulster.

There was a disappointing showing of only eleven cars for this one, with the likes of Alvin Christie, Gurney, Crawford, Terry Maxwell, Steele and Richardson to name a few all on the sidelines for whatever reason. The only point of note amongst what we did have was that Martin had reverted back to his own 206cc, as opposed to the Haird Motorsport car he’d driven at the previous round.

With the track in far from ideal racing condition, rolling starts were the order of the day. Winning had pole, and followed the rolling lap to perfection, while Tommy Maxwell and Martin at the head of the second group closed the gap between them and the less experienced guys at the front, long before the greens came out. They got the benefit of the doubt and just a warning after the race…..

The front runners were soon engulfed by the bigger names in this one, with Davy McKay being the meat in the sandwich twice inside a lap, as first Maxwell and McMillan passed either side of him, and then Christie and Doak. As Martin soon pulled out quite an advantage, Maxwell was running second and Heatrick third.

Tommy soon got in way too deep into turn three as he was caught out by the conditions, allowing Heatrick underneath. McMillan was heading an intense battle for fourth, with Christie and Bell hot on his heels, and Doak looking around the outside of them. Heatrick was certainly reeling the leader in, and he duly arrived on the bootlid of Martin’s car as the laps, unfortunately for him, ran out. Martin therefore took the first win of the night, with Heatrick good value in second ahead of Maxwell, McMillan, Christie and Bell. Doak was next up having seen his attempts on the wide line come to nought.

Christie had finished with what sounded like a very rough motor indeed, and further inspection would diagnose a dropped valve thus ending the Irish Open Champion’s night.
Result: 994, 960, 369, 944, 962, 9, 996, 940, 983, 943.

Whilst the start to heat two was much more orderly than the first encounter, trouble wasn’t far away. It came when McKay rotated exiting turn two, the unfortunate McMillan clobbering him hardest of all and breaking the near side rear suspension on the #943 car. Although Davy would eventually drag the car to safety, the yellows had already been called for and the race went under suspension.

When we got going again we had another rotation, this time by Heatrick after he’d got into turn one much too hard. He clipped Bell as he went around, but soon rejoined - although considerable ground had been lost. All this left Maxwell in the lead, although he did soon have Bell to contend with as he had dragged himself right onto terms with the leader. When I say dragged, it was almost literally just that, as the contact with Heatrick earlier had damaged the near side rear of Glenn’s machine, and a broken shocker or some suspension component would cause the wheel to judder up and down under braking and leave a trail of sparks behind it around the track (see Brian Lammey’s photos in the Gallery).

Glenn carried on regardless though, the slower pace on the treacherous track obviously making his ailment less significant. He even tried to pass Maxwell on the outside for the lead, but had to check back. Maxwell was driving the perfect inside line, well aware that the other line was horrendous to say the least. Gary Woolsey was next to give it a go, but he couldn’t make it stick either, nor could the next trier in Doak.

Maxwell had now slowed the pace right down to his desired level, so much so that when Heatrick joined the queue again after his earlier spin his lap times dropped by a full 2 seconds – 15.7secs on the open track, 17.7 on the back of the lead queue. It looked as though it would be stalemate at that, as everyone had tried the outside and failed. As we entered the final stages, step forward Mr Doak, who hit the wide, and messy, outside line once again. He dragged himself alongside Bell, then Woolsey before drawing alongside the leader. It looked at this stage as if he might be in trouble, but he hung on and swept in front of Maxwell for a win that brought spontaneous applause from the terraces. Much as Christie’s Irish Open win was top drawer stuff such was his dominance, this was outside line driving of the highest quality, and on an awful track too. As GB said in his Birmingham report last week, one of those drives which reminds you why you keep going back week after week…

As Doak took a well deserved victory lap, Maxwell held on to second, ahead of Woolsey and the very much handicapped car of Bell.
Result: 996, 369, 940, 9, 960, 994, 944, 888, 983.

For the final we were now down to just nine cars, as the damage to McKay saw him load up, along with Christie. Winning settled into the lead from Stevenson, meanwhile Maxwell slithered out of the queue and was soon out of the running. Heat two-hero Doak collected a black cross early on for an alleged jump start, as he settled into fourth behind Heatrick, with a repaired Bell, and Woolsey, in close attention right behind.

Heatrick was piling the pressure on Stevenson, and experience soon told when Mark slid down the inside of rookie Jonathan on the home straight. The rest of the train then followed through as Stevenson got relegated out of the picture. All the while Winning was holding sway at the front, making sure he kept a tight line and letting the rest figure out how to get by.

Bell went fractionally wide through turns 1 and 2 at one stage, and so treacherous was the track offline that his lap time on that particular tour was over 1.5 seconds slower than what he had been doing beforehand. Winning almost made the same mistake into turn one, which was by far the worst spot on the track, but managed to gather it all back together swiftly. Heatrick was all over him like a rash, but Jason has done enough laps of Nuttscorner in his time (albeit in the other direction in an F2!) to know what it takes to win races on nights like this.

Winning slowed it up and kept it clean right to the flag, to claim an excellent - if unexpected - win. Heatrick was a gallant runner-up, with Doak third after evidence checked in race control showed that he hadn’t in fact jumped the start. Woolsey, Bell and Maxwell rounded out the top six.
Result: 983, 960, 996, 940, 9, 369, 944, 994, 888.

A number of the Ulster based drivers will travel to Tipperary next weekend for the European Championship, before World Qualifying continues on Saturday the 18th back at Nuttscorner Oval. Darren Black
Photos by Brian Lammey in the GALLERY

2009 World Series 06
Ballymena, Friday 26th September 2008

Darren Black reports:  John Christie claimed the spoils in controversial circumstances when the National Hot Rods contested World Series NI Round 6 at Ballymena Raceway last Friday night. Cullybackey driver Davy McKay, having taken a fine win in heat two, crossed the line first in the final but was sensationally docked two places for a rules infringement, thus elevating the recently crowned Irish Open Champion to the winner’s position. The opening heat of the night had earlier fallen to former World Champion Keith Martin.

Of the fourteen cars in the pits, there were a few surprises even with the meeting coming just five days after the end of the International weekend in Ulster. Martin was a major talking point, as he was behind the wheel of Chris Haird’s VW-powered 206cc - “just to see what I think of it” were his words in the pits. There were also a couple of welcome new faces, although the first of them didn’t get past practice. The man in question was none other than former Stock Rod World Champion Alastair Calvin, who had unfortunately thrown an oil pump belt off during his acclimatisation to the borrowed Mark Keys 206. The other debutant was sometime Stock Rodder Paul Crawford, who had purchased the ex-Norman/Gary Woolsey SHP 206cc. Paul has been racing motorbikes of late, and many might remember him for putting his Stock Rod on the front row of the National Championship final at Hednesford just three or so years ago.

For heat one the cars were faced with an oil-covered track from a previous race, and they all coped admirably early on. McKay took up the early running, as Jonny Stevenson got railroaded by the pack in the opening exchanges. Jason Winning was running second now, but a moment through the Fisherwick bend saw Martin through on his inside.

In the main pack, things were frantic to say the least, and on one occasion Christie, Heatrick, McMillan and Woolsey all came very, very deep into turn one as someone got their braking badly wrong! Martin soon disposed of McKay to take the lead and then had Christie following suit as McKay’s Corsa dropped to third.

Martin had everything under control and gave his unfamiliar mount a win in his first race in it, with Christie looking good value in second. McKay served notice of his pace with third, ahead of Heatrick, McMillan and Woolsey.
Result: 994- 962- 943- 960- 944- 940- 9- 996- 404- 369.

McKay was again the first to show in heat two, as Alvin Christie this time was the one to be railroaded to the back, thwarting good outside starts by Heatrick and Doak in the process. Christie was making decent early progress in this one too, and he soon led the major runners inside both Tommy Maxwell and then Winning.

As McKay held the advantage, Stevenson was driving a sterling race in second, holding off the advances of heat one winner Martin. Doak meantime was giving it a go around the outside of Woolsey in the pack, but that came to nought when the new British Champion somehow found a way under Glenn Bell.

Martin was soon clearly in trouble, which would turn out to be tyres with the pressure pop-off valves set incorrectly. Stevenson was actually getting away from the Haird car to consolidate his second spot, whilst Keith was left to defend strongly against the onslaught from Christie.

McKay came home to record a rare and welcome victory, with Stevenson equally as pleased in second. Next came Martin, followed by Christie, McMillan and Woolsey.
Result: 943- 888- 994- 962- 944- 940- 996- 9- 960- 404.

The final had hardly get underway when the red flags were airing for a complete restart after Tommy Maxwell found himself up the wall on the back straight courtesy of an understeering McMillan. With a wheel in the baulkhead Tommy was going nowhere, thus necessitating his rescue.

McKay and Stevenson again set the early pace, while a rash lunge by Alvin C took Heatrick right out of the running and earned Alvin a black flag for his troubles. Martin and Christie were again leading the charge after the two front runners, Keith leading the train under Winning to go third.

There then followed a very uncharacteristic mistake by the Dungannon ace, as he seemed to clip one of the infield markers exiting turn two. The resultant moment was just the invitation Christie needed to get underneath him, and Martin’s third spot instantly became seventh. Next McMillan was gone, as he rotated on the pit bend whilst under pressure from Doak. Stewart was initially black-crossed for this incident, but this was later withdrawn after videos had been checked.

Bell and Woolsey had nipped under Doak in the midst of the shenanigans, and soon were lining up Stevenson for third on the road. Christie meanwhile had reeled in McKay and was soon piling the pressure onto the #943 car. John looked both inside and outside but was thwarted each time by Davy’s defensive driving, and the starter was aiming a few waved blue flags at him too, as well as asking him by Raceceiver to hold a consistent line.

John still hadn’t found a way past when the rest of the mob came knocking, as Bell, Woolsey and Doak joined in the fun too for the last few laps. Christie was still looking for his way by, but it could be seen now that he was worried about the rest getting under him should he try the wide line. With one to go, McKay was black crossed for “not obeying instructions from race control”, and when he took the chequered flag a lap later he was duly docked two places to third. Christie thus inherited another win for his Tigra, although I’m sure John would have rather it had been under different circumstances. Bell was elevated to second ahead of a deflated McKay who had just had one of his best night’s ever in the National class. Doak just beat Woolsey over the line for fourth by 3 hundredths of a second, with Stevenson, Martin and Heatrick rounding out the top 8.
Result: 962- 9- 943- 996- 940- 888- 994- 960- 944- 983

World Series NI continues this Saturday night, October 4th, at Nuttscorner Oval. Darren Black

2009 World Series 05
Ballymena, Friday 5th September 2008

Darren Black reports:  Reigning British and NI Champion Stewart Doak was ‘at the double’ when the National Hot Rods competed in Round 5 of their 2009 World Series at a very wet and windy Ballymena Raceway last Friday night. Mark Heatrick took a deserved win in the first heat of the night, before Doak took over to record the other two victories.

There was little of note amongst the entry, which was down on the norm of late with a few regulars missing. They probably decided a night inside was much more attractive, as we were treated to persistent rain all through the meeting, which, coupled with a nasty wind, made things pretty grim. One saving grace was that at least we had a fully wet track, which often leads to some pretty decent action at Ballymena, instead of the tedious one line stuff that a drying track would bring. James O’Shea was once again a very welcome visitor from south of the border, and Gary Woolsey was back in his Tigra. For everyone else it was ‘as you were’ so to speak.

Jason Winning was the first to show in heat one, as the Rods threw a massive ball of spray across the stadium when they set off. Tommy Maxwell and Mark Heatrick were both showing early speed too, as was Keith Martin, who had taken to the outside line right from the off. Ahead of him though, Jonathan Stevenson was having his own moment on the outside line, as he slid sideways into the wall exiting turn 2. Martin had to take quick evasive action, and his good start went out the window as he spun across the pack onto the infield.

Maxwell soon relieved Winning of the lead, with a fast charging Ronnie McMillan now in his tyre tracks. Ronnie has always revelled in the wet, and it was no surprise when he swept around Maxwell to take up the running. Heatrick was now challenging Maxwell for second, and after a tough battle Mark eventually did edge ahead. McMillan looked home and dry though, but a lapse in concentration allowed Heatrick to box him in behind Stevenson who was in the process of gathering up another moment. With Ronnie trapped, Mark swept by to take it up and grab the win, while Glen Bell was the best of the rest in third ahead of Woolsey and Christie. Doak was sixth, with Martin and Stevenson next home after Maxwell was docked two places for a start-line misdemeanour.
Result: 960,944, 9,940,962,996,994,888.

Only twelve lined up for heat 2, as Davy McKay had called time for the night. Stevenson grabbed the early initiative, as both Winning and Davy Gurney dropped off the pace on what was now a very treacherous track indeed. Maxwell and Heatrick were again in chase and soon took up the premier two spots as Stevenson slipped backwards.

McMillan cut under Martin to show himself as a real contender once again, but he had Doak for company this time. The #996 car looked transformed from the car that was well off the pace in heat one – but it was just the same car, as the problem was that Stewart simply couldn’t see in the first race with a visor problem! As Heatrick relieved Maxwell of the lead, Doak was obviously the fastest car on track, as he cut under McMillan and then outside of Maxwell to set about challenging for the lead.

He soon had the leader under pressure, and they even almost tripped over one another whilst lapping Gurney. Doak lifted off to allow Mark to get straightened up, before coming back again to slip right around the outside and on for an excellent win. Heatrick was a gallant runner-up, ahead of Maxwell, McMillan,Woolsey and Bell.
Result: 996, 960,369,944,940,9,962, 994.

For the final we were missing Stevenson too, so just eleven cars set off in pursuit of the silverware. Things followed a similar pattern to heat two early on, with McMillan and Doak relegating Martin before Doak took the spot of Ronnie to move after pace-setters Maxwell and Heatrick.

Heatrick was all over Maxwell like a rash, but was just not able to find any opportunity to get alongside, let alone past. Soon Doak had joined in to make it a three way battle, as Maxwell was blue flagged to give the others a shot at passing around the outside. Heatrick tried but to no avail to get alongside, but only succeeded in letting Doak through to second. Doak immediately headed for the outside of Maxwell, and quickly pulled through to take up the running, with Heatrick soon following suit.

As the front two pulled clear, Maxwell now had his hands full with McMillan, Bell and Woolsey all looking for a way by, and Christie right up in there too. Maxwell got shown a black cross for not holding his line as McMillan failed to get by, before young gun Bell executed the move to perfection. As Doak came home for his second win of the night from Heatrick (and the perfect warm up for the defence of his British crown later this month), there was late drama as the back-marking Gurney spun on Fisherwick bend on the last lap. The spectators all held their breath as the battle for third approached, and as Bell, McMillan, Maxwell and Woolsey somehow squeezed by, an unsighted Christie smashed head-on into the stationary car with a sickening thud. Bell came home for third, ahead of McMillan, Woolsey and O’Shea after Maxwell received a two place penalty from the Steward.
Result: 996, 960, 9, 944,940, (74), 369(x-2), 994.

Next up for the Ulster National Hot Rods is the double header championship weekend, with Doak defending his British Championship at Ballymena on Saturday September 20th, before Keith Martin puts his Irish Open title on the line at Nuttscorner Oval the following day.  Darren Black

2009 World Series 04
Nuttscorner Oval, Saturday 30th August 2008

Darren Black reports:  Having blown an engine on his last Nuttscorner Oval outing, Ronnie McMillan enjoyed a reversal of fortunes when he took the final honours at NI World Series Round 4 on Saturday night. It was a night that certainly favoured those starting near the front of the grid, with Thomas Dilly collecting his maiden National Hot Rod victory and Jason Winning grabbing the other heat win. It was also a meeting which showcased the formula at it’s best under the floodlights, with wheel-to-wheel action the order of the day, with the odd bit of controversy thrown in too for good measure!

There were fifteen cars in action this time around, and that would have been sixteen had Round 3 winner Clive Richardson not encountered more bad luck which saw his Tigra loaded up long before the first heat came under starters orders. Amongst those who did make the action was Republic of Ireland interloper James O’Shea in his Haird Fiesta, up for some practice on the unfamiliar track before the Irish Open Championship on Sept 21st. All the others were mounted as usual, with Davy McKay back in action after a few rounds away and Gary Woolsey in his Corsa as is the norm round Nuttscorner.

Dilly made the early break at the drop of the green in heat one, with fellow front row man Winning struggling away and getting railroaded backwards. Dilly broke clear as Jonathan Stevenson held off the attentions of Mark Heatrick for second – Mark being the first of the second group to make his way through.

Heatrick was hesitating just too long behind Stevenson though, and the star men weren’t going to settle for that for very long. Soon a train of Keith Martin, Stewart Doak and John Christie all made the long run round the long way to relegate both, leaving Mark no doubt kicking his heels for not committing to the outside sooner. The trio then set after Dilly, and with the lap-boards out a grandstand finish was most certainly on the cards. We weren’t to be disappointed, as the novice held the inside and invited the rest to take his first ever win from him. Christie was the one who took the bull by the horns so to speak, and he hauled himself round the others to grab second on the line, behind Dilly who had soaked up quite a bit of pressure over the final few tours. Martin, Doak, Heatrick, McMillan and Bell followed them all home.
Result: 966, 962, 994, 996, 960, 944, 9, 940, 369, 888

Dilly Once again led them away in heat two, but this time Winning got a decent getaway and sliced into second behind him. This left Stevenson fending off the attentions of Alvin Christie and Heatrick for third. Mark once again was finding it difficult to relegate those ahead, and Martin again had a look around his outside, but just then Heatrick got underneath Alvin C to send him careering down the order and salvage Mark’s race, which looked doomed as he almost got boxed in once again.

By now Winning was all over Dilly, who was attracting a number of blue flags to hold his line. Winning tried as he might, but all the time Stevenson was dragging the field ever closer to the lead battle. Into the closing stages they were all together, but just as Winning got knocked wide, he came back with great momentum to get by Dilly and claim an excellent win. Stevenson was equally good value in third, ahead of Heatrick, Martin, McMillan and John Christie.
Result: 983, 966, 888, 960, 994, 944, 962, 996, 9, 940

Dilly’s lead at the start of the final was much more short-lived, as Winning quickly demoted him to second and set about building up a healthy advantage. Further back, the first black cross of the night was shown to Heatrick who punted McKay into a half spin, which only resulted in the two of them careering into the infield out of the pack. McKay was out there and then, and Heatrick rejoined well behind the rest.

McMillan was the first star man to show in this one, and he was soon breaking clear of the main pack, particularly when Doak lifted off to allow Martin to gather up a very sideways moment which also allowed Woolsey to dart around the outside. This breathing space allowed McMillan to attack Dilly, and he was soon into second spot and haring after the leader, setting fastest lap after fastest lap of the night. What was beginning to look like an unassailable lead for Winning was now a lead that was in grave danger…

Ronnie didn’t waste much time either, his Ludlow Tigra looking in fine fettle as he blasted into the lead past Winning. All eyes were fixed further back though, where a mammoth battle was developing for third as the 5-lap board loomed. Dilly was holding station on the inside, with Martin trying the long way round, but it was proving rather difficult given the ‘difficult’ line Dilly was driving. A couple of blue flags later and Keith was once again right alongside entering the back straight. As Dilly pulled back in tight to the kerb, a huge gap between the two presented itself to Woolsey, and being the racer he is, Gary was heading for it like a shot. It was never going to come off though, and the three came together in a big way at the end of the back straight. With the rest of the pack following en masse right behind, it was always going to be messy…

Martin lost bags of time, Woolsey came through relatively unscathed (except for the black cross next time around), but Dilly was out, followed not long after by Bell as well. For the third meeting in a row, Doak found himself being part of somebody else’s accident as he clipped someone or other in the midst of the melee. He tried to carry on, but with both rear wheels pointing in different directions, never mind the tyre smoke from the fouled bodywork, his crab-like machine soon attracted a black flag.

McMillan had no worries however, and he cantered home a country mile ahead, with Winning equally content with his runner-up spot. John Christie came through to take third, with Woolsey fourth over the line but dropped three places in the final analysis. Tommy Maxwell came from nowhere to inherit fourth after a very poor night for him, ahead of a recovering Martin and Alvin C. With Woolsey dropped to seventh, O’Shea took eighth after Heatrick fell foul of the Steward too for his clash with McKay early on.
Result: 944, 983, 962, 369, 994, 404, 940(x-3), 74, 960(x-2), 935

World Series NI continues this Friday night, Sep 5th, at Ballymena with Round 5. Darren Black

2009 World Series 03
Ballymena, Saturday 23rd August 2008

Darren Black reports:  Having endured a torrid time since acquiring his latest Tigra, former British Champion Clive Richardson certainly made amends with a fine double at the Ballymena-staged NI World Series round 3. On a night of changeable conditions throughout, Glenn Bell was however, the star of the show; with a heat win and second place in the final to complement his successful defence of the World Stock Rod Championship.

There were sixteen cars in pits for this one, although we had unfortunately lost two by start time. Rab Forsythe succumbed to engine problems in his Corsa, whilst clutch troubles saw Jonny Stevenson loaded up before racing had even began.

Thomas Dilly was all alone at the front of the line-up and immediately made the lead spot his own in heat one, on a track that was more than a little wet. Ian Thompson Jnr soon settled into second ahead of another man with bags of BriSCA F2 experience, Jason Winning. Richardson had made a disastrous start to his night, getting baulked behind the much slower Alvin Christie car and he could only watch as a number of the field relegated him before he could escape.

Bell was already showing quite a decent turn of speed in the tricky conditions, and he dived under Winning for second, just as Dilly got relegated by them all, leaving Thompson in the trump spot at the head of the field. Many would have expected someone of Ian’s calibre to hold on for the win from here, but the 206cc is still obviously not to his liking as of yet, and he was always defending against Bell, who was now joined by Keith Martin and Gary Woolsey. All three eventually found a way past on the outside to fill out the top positions.

Bell held on all the way to the flag for another impressive victory, ahead of Woolsey, who had eased inside Martin with five to run. Thompson held on for fourth, ahead of Ronnie McMillan, Stewart Doak, Richardson, John Christie and Mark Heatrick.
Result: 9, 940, 994, 901, 944, 996, 976, 962

There was a peculiar start to heat two, when the pit gate was zipped up, as covered in the recent rule update, once all the cars waiting had entered the track. Only half a dozen or so set off on the 3 warm up laps, but the others had in fact been blocked behind a truck on the notoriously difficult entrance to Ballymena’s pit lane. There followed a short ‘will they open the gate or won’t they’ stand off, and common sense eventually prevailed and the remaining cars took to the grid, albeit without the benefit of the warm ups.

Since winning heat one, Bell had stormed to an emphatic World Championship victory in his Stock Rod, and all eyes were on him in this one too. The fairytale night wasn’t to continue though, as a poor getaway allowed many of the fancied runners inside him as he got stuck on the wetter outside line. Dilly again led them away, but it wasn’t long before Richardson zipped through to take it up on lap three. Just as he did, Thompson was pressed into a spin from third by the following pack led by McMillan. As the #901 car spun out of contention, it was dealt an unavoidable glancing blow by Doak, which completely re-arranged the rear end enough to finish Ian’s night. This brought out the waved yellows in order to clear the stricken machine from the racing line exiting turn two.

Richardson led them back into combat, followed by McMillan, Martin, Doak and Woolsey, after Dilly had been relegated shortly after the race returned to green.  Soon after the half way stage, Doak pulled an excellent move to get under Martin entering the home straight, dragging Woolsey and Bell through with him as Keith lost three spots in one swoop. That’s how they stayed ‘til the end, with Richardson making a welcome return to victory lane, ahead of an un-penalised McMillan, Doak, Woolsey, Bell and Martin. Heatrick just beat Christie over the line for seventh as the entire top eight crossed the line as one.
Result: 976, 944, 996, 940, 9, 994, 960, 962

Pole-man Dilly again showed at the drop of the green flag in the final, taking up the running from Alvin C after Winning was knocked wide in the early exchanges. Last week’s star man Davy Gurney was another finding himself way wide and off the drying racing line, as he out-braked himself into turn one. Most notably, Richardson was moving through early doors, but had Bell right on his boot-lid this time. With only a handful of laps completed, they had already taken up first and second spots, with McMillan leading the chase ahead of Christie and Doak.

The lead duo were soon going at it hammer and tongs, with Bell ducking and diving all over the rear of the Richardson Tigra. The former British Champion was having to dig deep into his wealth of experience to keep the young charger at bay, with Glenn no doubt on a high following his earlier World Final win. Even the return of the heavy drizzle that had plagued us all night made little difference, and Glenn almost did get right alongside Clive at one stage, only to fall back on the slippery stuff out wide. The fact he quickly regained any lost ground showed just who was in the faster car - if anyone was ever in any doubt…

Despite Bell’s best efforts, Richardson held on for what must have been a very welcome final victory indeed, and hopefully the kickstart Clive’s ’09 campaign badly needed. Bell took the applause as he rounded out a fine night with second; having gained a new legion of fans amongst the casual supporters tempted along by the headlining World Championship. McMillan had another steady finish for third, ahead of Christie, Doak, Woolsey and Martin.
Result: 976, 9, 944, 962, 996, 940, 994, 404 (all above are official results).

World Series NI continues at Nuttscorner Oval this Saturday night, August 30th.  Darren Black

2009 World Series 02
Ballymena, Friday 15th August 2008

Darren Black reports:  With the defence of his World Stock Rod title just a week away, Portadown racer Glenn Bell warmed up in fine style with the final win at World Series NI Round 2 at Ballymena Raceway last Friday night. From an excellent 17 car turnout, Londonderry driver Davy Gurney claimed both heat wins with two fine drives in only his second National Hot Rod outing.

So 17 cars in the pits, and it had some veteran enthusiasts pointing out that this was probably the highest turnout for a domestic Ulster NHR meeting ever. I can take you back to the heydays of the eighties, and I can’t remember there ever being any more – anyone able to take us back to the seventies and the birth of the class in the province? What was even more interesting though, were the absences of McKay, Steele, Terry Maxwell and Keys to name a few – could we be heading for a 20-car meeting before long??? Not too many moons ago we thought we were doing well with seven... 

Of those actually racing, most notable was the return to National action of Ian Thompson Jnr, behind the wheel of a refettled McCall-built 206cc last campaigned by his father. Very nice it looked too, and Ian was a busy man doubling up with the Brisca F2’s as well. 2.0 Hot Rodder Rab Forsythe was back out, having given his ex-Ivan McMillan Corsa an overhaul, whilst another 2 Litre refugee was Thomas Dilly, now armed with the ex-Steven Hanna/Mark Sear Haird Motorsport 206cc for his second outing in the elite class.

Forsythe nearly stopped hearts at the green flag in heat one on what was a very greasy raceway after rain before start time. He was very slow away, but luckily everyone was able to avoid him. Things were soon brought up short though as the backmarking Dilly clipped an infield sleeper and spun to a halt at 90 degrees to the traffic exiting turn 2. The field all got slowed up just as they came upon him, but as Jonny Stevenson and Thompson went wide to avoid him, Ian got run up the wall at no more than walking pace, but it was enough to leave his rod dangling at 45 degrees suspended from the top rope with a wheel astray.

At the restart Alvin Christie was the one slow away this time, backing up Clive Richardson and Bell, which saw Ronnie McMillan clout the back of Glenn’s motor which saw him retire with smoke pouring from fouled bodywork. Davy Gurney was setting the pace in his SWM Fiesta, the Lightning Rod man of a few years back showing a decent turn of speed. Stevie Williams was running second ahead of Stevenson, with Richardson and McMillan cutting through to fourth and fifth with Gary Woolsey (as usual at Ballymena in his Tigra) in hot pursuit.

Richardson was finding novice Stevenson a tough nut to crack as he swarmed all over the back of the ex-Neal Smith/Connolly car. It all finally gave way though as they took the 1 lap to go board. Clive got a good run down the inside of the #888 car, but Stevenson shut the door hard. Richardson touched the grass and spun inside-out into the wall just by the pit gate, whilst Stevenson clouted second man Williams into a spin. As the rest of the field speared off in all directions, McMillan was sent outside the spinning Williams car only to collect Keith Martin, who had already glanced the #32 car too, on the way back in. Keith was out on the spot with a wheel underneath his car, whilst Stewart Doak clipped something too and had a wheel out of his Tigra as well. John Christie, who had been running right off the pace all race, tried to pick his way through it all, but he got tagged too and ended up spun onto the infield with McMillan!

An almighty mess to say the least, but that didn’t bother Gurney, who romped home half a lap clear for his maiden win. Gary W got second from Mark Heatrick, Tommy Maxwell and Alvin C, ahead of Dilly and Forsythe, whilst Doak trailed his stricken motor over the line for eighth.
Result: 935, 940, 960, 369, 404, 966, 992, 996, 888, 962.

Gurney set off into the lead in heat two once again, and was soon building a buffer that was going to be hard to run down. Further back, Martin had got his car not only back together, but ‘on the money’ on the outside line. He quickly made up a handful of places, only to have it all taken from him when he got baulked by Forsythe who was in the process of being railroaded by the rest of the pack. Williams was again running strong in second ahead of Stevenson, whilst Richardson was next up after sterling work by his crew got the rear end of the Tigra into some sort of order. It didn’t last long though, as he rode the wall entering the home straight on a couple of occasions before retiring for the night with what looked like front suspension damage.

Bell was leading the charge of the big names from the rear, and was soon harrying Alvin C for fourth. Christie valiantly held on for a number of tours before Glenn cut underneath him, bringing the rest in tow and leaving Alvin slipping backwards on the greasy outside line.

Gurney once again came home well ahead to make it two out of two, from an impressive Williams, Stevenson, Bell and McMillan. Maxwell, Woolsey and Christie rounded out the top eight.
Result: 935, 32, 888, 9, 944, 369, 940, 962, 996, 960.

Gurney stepped off into an immediate lead in the final, with his sights set on the hat-trick. Thompson was back out for this one, and his early pressure on Bell seemed to spur the youngster on in the opening laps, as he made significant early ground that would see this race take on a whole different complexion to that of the heats. Glenn soon left the others behind, as he slipped underneath Alvin C and Stevenson to go third well before half way. Soon he was onto Williams, and wasted little time swooping right around the Corsa to head after the leader. McMillan was playing catch up this time, and he soon copied Bell’s move on Williams to go third, followed by Martin and Woolsey.

Bell was making inroads into Gurney’s lead at quite a rate of knots, but soon found out that catching was one thing, but passing might just be another. It developed into quite a battle, before Glenn found a way through on the inside to head for the chequers. Gurney soon had his hands full again as McMillan and the rest caught him, but Davy was equal to the challenge.

Bell stormed home to collect the silverware, with driver of the night Gurney hanging on in second in clouds of smoke after a punt from McMillan fouled his bodywork. Ronnie held on for third, from Martin, Woolsey and Christie, with Doak, Heatrick and Maxwell the next over the line.
Result: 9, 935, 944, 994, 940, 962, 996, 960, 369, 901.

World Series NI resumes this Saturday, August 23rd, at Ballymena in support to the World Stock Rod Final.  Darren Black   Photos by Brian Lammey in the GALLERY

2009 World Series 01
Nuttscorner Oval, Saturday 26th July 2008

Darren Black reports:  On a day when a record number of National Hot Rods graced the track for a domestic World Series round, Crumlin’s Tommy Maxwell grabbed the headlines with an excellent drive to net the spoils in the final of the opening 2009 World Qualifier during the Nuttscorner Oval Speedweekend.

With a fantastic 16 cars in the pits, there were always going to be a few interesting entries. Topping that list was the return, once again, of Clive Richardson, this time in the ex-Buller Ludlow Tigra. Whilst good to see Clive back, it is most certainly a disappointment that young William has departed the scene after such an inspiring start, with his Formula BMW racing now his sole focus for the time being. World Stock Rod Champion Glenn Bell was having his first local run, with the former Wayne Woolsey 206cc now finished in his usual blue livery. Londonderry racer Davy Gurney finally made his Nationals debut at this one, after his first attempt late in 2007 saw him not make it past practice in an aging 205. This time he was armed with a Steve Wills Fiesta, and quite splendid it looked too. Of the others, Jason Winning made a welcome return to the fold for his first appearance of 2008, whilst Gary Woolsey was, as usual, utilising his older Corsa for Nuttscorner Oval.

The new rules from the NHRPA meant all the slower runners took up their rightful grid slots at the front, and John Steele was the first to show in heat one from his pole start, with Jonny Stevenson settling into second. Woolsey and Stewart Doak were the ones making moves in the right direction from the main group of “star” men.

Further back, Maxwell was fighting off the attentions of Richardson and Ronnie McMillan, before it all ended in tears on turns 3 and 4. Incidentally, with the new Race Control now in operation, the startline had been moved to the opposite side of the track to what had been previously used. Therefore, the River End was now turns 1 and 2, with the Nuttscorner Roundabout end now turns 3 and 4.

Anyway, back to the real plot, and McMillan got into the back of Richardson into turn 3, which in turn punted the #976 car into Maxwell. Both lost bags of ground, as Maxwell spun and Richardson was left stranded for a time. McMillan collected a black cross next time around for his troubles…

Stevenson had by now slipped into the lead, and was looking quite handy at that, but the pressure of Woolsey bearing down on him was to take it’s toll as the newcomer spun it all away through the first turn. Woolsey duly accepted the gift of the lead, and led Doak home for the first win of the ’09 campaign. Bell was good for third, ahead of John Christie and Davy McKay, after McMillan was docked three places for his earlier misdemeanour.
Result: 940, 996, 9, 962, 943, 404, 944 (x-3), 960, 994, 369, 23, 935, 32.

Diff problems had curtailed Richardson’s evening by the time heat two came around, and as Steele led them away Stevenson hesitated on the line, being hit by Both Stevie Williams and Alvin Christie. The reds got an airing for this one, with Williams unfortunately out of the complete rerun.

Steele settled into the front once again from Stevenson, with Glenn Bell and Maxwell this time holding off the Woolsey charge. McMillan then had a monumental engine expiry, leading to copious amounts of oil on the raceway. The yellows were called for, and then a red flag as a large scale clean up operation was required, but not before both the leading duo had spun off on the slippery stuff.

For the restart both Steele and Stevenson were reinstated to the front spots, but were soon swallowed up by the rest, as the impressive Bell took up the reigns at the head of the field. Woolsey and Doak then found a way past Maxwell to give chase, but the young double World Stock Rod Champion held them off for his second National win in as many meetings. Maxwell held onto fourth despite massive pressure from John Christie in the closing stages, with Steele rounding out the top six.
Result: 9, 940, 996, 369, 962, 23, 960, 994, 943, 983, 404, 935.

Former Stock Rod man Steele was obviously enjoying his exploits in the ex-Willis Corsa, and he once again set off into the early lead in the final. Stevenson was giving chase, as from the back group Bell was once again leading the charge ahead of Maxwell, Woolsey and Doak.

Bell then came to pass Alvin C, and as he looked to the outside exiting turn 4 he drifted slightly wide, and in a flash the others were underneath him. Maxwell was now leading the pack to the front, slipping under Stevenson and then Steele to take it up. Woolsey was tracking his every move though, and Doak and Christie weren’t out of it yet by any means.

Maxwell held on well to record an excellent victory, with Woolsey completing a fine night for him with another second spot finish. Christie finished his night with a fantastic opportunistic move right around the outside of Doak, to snatch a hard earned third on the line ahead of the British Champion. Keith Martin was on the leaderboard for the first time of the night in fifth, having finally accounted for the stubborn Mark Heatrick after a meeting long battle between the two. Bell rounded out the top six, ahead of Heatrick, Winning and Alvin C.
Result: 369, 940, 962, 996, 994, 9, 960, 983, 404, 935, 23, 888.

All in all, an enjoyable night’s racing from an excellent entry of cars. Should it continue, we are sure to be for an intriguing season of National Hot Rod racing in Ulster.  Darren Black.

***

2008 World Series 16
Nuttscorner Oval, Saturday 24th May 2008

Darren Black reports:  Whilst young William Buller reeled off his second National Hot Rod hat-trick in a row at Nuttscorner Oval, the controversial face of the sport once again reared its head on a night of high drama. Once a full investigation had taken place, Portadown’s Stewart Doak was able to add the Northern Ireland Championship to his British title.

There were 14 cars in attendance for this the final round of the 07/08 season. John Steele and Jonny Stevenson had their Nuttscorner Oval debuts, whilst Buller was back from his self-imposed Ballymena exile for another run in his National – yet again running alongside his 2.0 Hot Rod commitments on the night. Stevie Williams was another welcome returnee to the fold, whilst as usual Gary Woolsey was back in the Corsa as opposed to his Tigra.

As well as the 14 cars racing, we had, believe it or not, 3 more in the pits. All three were without licences at this point, and were unable to race, but were given dispensation to arrive and practice if they wished. First up was World Stock Rod Champion Glenn Bell, who looked immediately at home in the Wayne Woolsey SHP 206cc. As well as his Stock Rod, Glenn is also campaigning on the circuits this year in the Renault Clio Cup, but it would be interesting if he could find the time to give the Nationals a decent shot. Former European and National Lightning Rod Champion Nigel Jackson was in another of the NW Developments cars, this time the 206 (last driven by Wayne Woolsey too) which started life as an Autocross Fiesta in the 90’s. Davy Gurney was the third of the trio, back for more in what looked suspiciously like a SWM Fiesta Mk4 after nearly making his debut late last year in an elderly 205.

Mark Keys gave up his pole position before the start of heat one, leaving a gap on the front row. Davy McKay couldn’t capitalise and it was instead Buller who shot through to make the early running. Heatrick grabbed second from Martin, as McKay got rail-roaded right out of it. Gary Woolsey likewise got stuck on the outside and dropped well back - the start of a very poor evening for the defending champion.

Ronnie McMillan was running fourth on the road, but had himself a real moment entering the back straight as his Tigra twitched sideways. Christie did well to avoid him as they all held everything together. With Buller now well clear, the train comprising Heatrick, Martin, McMillan, Christie and Doak had a huge task ahead with the backmarking Steele; Stevenson and Terry Maxwell battling amongst themselves. Steele soon found himself facing the wrong way on turn 3, a leaking engine seal spraying oil onto John’s tyres and bringing his night to a premature end.

Some words on the Raceceivers gained the placemen a clean run through the others, but by this stage Buller was well clear and crossed the line on full opposite lock half a lap clear. Heatrick, Martin, McMillan and Christie rounded out the top five.
Result: 302, 960, 994, 944, 962, 996, 940, 943, 916, 888, 404, 32, 23.

Buller and Heatrick once again grabbed the initiative from McKay in heat two, and soon set about pulling clear of the rest. A mammoth battle was kicking off between the star men, and when McMillan got shuffled out of the pack he had to give it a go on the wide line.

Gary Woolsey soon joined in to make it five along with the cars of Martin, McMillan, Christie and Doak. Martin didn’t seem just quite as lively as in heat one, but McMillan was struggling to make it the long way around him. All five cars circulating together filling both lanes of the track was a joy to watch, with never any more than the proverbial cigarette paper between them. As if that wasn’t enough, McKay soon decided to join them as well.

Heatrick had kept Buller much more honest this time at the front, but ‘Buck’ still took the flag well clear for his fifth win on the trot at Nuttscorner Oval. As the star train came through it all got very messy around the final turn, as Doak’s late run round the outside saw him squeezed wide by McMillan. Martin held onto third, while Christie headed home McMillan and Doak in the final shake-up.
Result: 302, 960, 994, 962, 944, 996, 940, 943, 404, 916, 888, 32.

Outgoing NI Champion Woolsey had loaded up and had enough by final time, and this gave Doak a clear spot in front of him in what was to be a crucial race to the points title. As Buller once again rocketed off the line to take the lead, Doak’s grid slot on the racing line rubber at the exit of turn 4 allowed him a similarly fast getaway. With the empty Woolsey slot ahead of him, Stewart was importantly in front of Christie and McMillan by turn one, and right on the rear of his now closest rival, Martin.

Heatrick was once again settled into second, but just couldn’t handle the pace of Buller’s Ludlow Tigra at the front. Martin was now running third ahead of Doak and Christie, but as we entered the final three laps of the 2007/08 season things were about to explode as they came to lap the back-marking 206 of Terry Maxwell….

Maxwell lifted off to let Martin slip ahead round the outside into turn one, only to get back on it to race with Doak who was following closely. The momentum of the Cirrus Plastics car was compromised onto the back straight, allowing Christie the run on the two ahead. Somehow the Doak and Christie cars touched, with the #996 Tigra coming across the front of the Christie car at 90 degrees and into the passenger’s door of Maxwell’s car which was tight on the inside kerb. This sent Terry on a wild ride down the infield - which is particularly rough in that area. As Doak gathered it all together, Maxwell emerged back onto the track and accelerated into the side of the Cirrus Plastics motor, taking it into he fence. The cars then amazingly continued right around onto the start and finish straight with the Maxwell car buried in the side of Doak’s Tigra and revving constantly on the limiter. Both cars suffered considerable damage, and due to the seriousness of the situation unfolding on track the red flags quickly came out in the interests of safety, and the race was declared.

Buller once again took a superb hat-trick of wins to underline that the 16 year old really is the real deal in these National Hot Rods. Not since Ian McKellar in the mid-nineties have we seen someone not even old enough to drive on the road make such an impact on the sport. It is though somewhat unfortunate that his other commitments will keep him away from both the Ipswich Spedeweekend supports and also the National Championship weekend. Heatrick rounded out a decent night for himself by completing a trio of second places.

After an investigation by Nuttscorner Oval, including gathering the views of those involved where necessary, the result has been declared as the cars passed the line on the previous lap. Although Doak and Christie were at odds as to who - or what - caused the incident, both were sporting enough to accept it as a racing incident and leave the result as it was. Unfortunately however, the seriousness of the incident that occurred afterwards meant that Terry Maxwell was loaded up from the meeting and the issue passed to the NHRPA for further disciplinary action.
Result: 302, 960, 994, 996, 962, 944, 943, 404, 888, 32.

When the dust had settled and the results confirmed, Stewart Doak emerged as a most worthy NI Champion for the season, having led the points chart all the way since round 1. Martin’s late surge and the dropped scores helped him into a commendable second, whilst Heatrick inherited third at his first attempt after the unfortunate Christie paid the price in the dropped scores department.

Overall, despite the dramatic and somewhat sad ending, it’s been the best season in quite some time in Ulster. With the prospect of possibly even more cars for the new campaign, everyone is looking forward to Nuttscorner Oval Speedweekend on July 26/27 for 2009 World Series NI Round 1….we might even have a new World Champion to welcome home!  Darren Black.
Brian Lammey’s PHOTOS


2008 World Series 15
Ballymena, Friday 16th May 2008.

Darren Black reports:  Crumlin driver Tommy Maxwell added to his impressive race win total of the 07/08 season at Ballymena on Friday night, when he recorded a heat and final double of emphatic victories. Gary Woolsey was the night’s other winner, grabbing the victory in the opening, and most definitely the best, race of the night.

Only too often we see the entries tail off as we reach the end of a gruelling season, but that was certainly not the case for this meeting. There were two debutants amongst the 13-strong field, the first being local Stock Rodder John Steele (23), who wheeled out the ex-Mark Willis European Championship winning Vauxhall Corsa. This is of course the machine with the unique beam axle front end, and which was raced most recently by Billy Bonnar and Alan Wilson. The other newcomer was a complete novice to the ovals, Jonathan Stevenson (888). His mount was the ex-Alan Connolly/Neal Smith Ludlow 206, most recently driven in anger by Ronnie McMillan of course. Both would not trouble the leaders over the course of the night (not that anyone would expect them to given the company), but put in some more than respectable laps to show what they will be capable of given time.

Mark Keys stepped off pole into an immediate lead in heat one, and soon set about establishing a decent advantage. Keith Martin quickly demoted Tommy Maxwell to go third behind Mark Heatrick, as Keith made the most of his most favourable grid slot in quite a while. All eyes were on the charge of the Tigras though, as Gary Woolsey and British Champion Stewart Doak were looking more than lively as they arrived in fourth and fifth.

Martin had no answer for the duo, and they soon swept through on the inside, before switching to the outside of second man Heatrick. Mark could, like Martin, offer little resistance to the Ludlow pair, and he succumbed to outside passes from both inside the space of one tour. It was now all about running down Keys – the former Lightning Rod champ had established a handy little lead as everyone focused further back. Woolsey was on a mission though, and soon took up the lead with yet another dart around the outside. Keys soon hit trouble as his motor went sick, which gifted second to Doak.

Woolsey and Doak took the flag well clear after two inspired drives, while Keys held on for third despite his ailments. Heatrick held off the advances of Martin for fourth, with John Christie just nipping ahead of the Dungannon man in the latter stages to nab fifth.
Result: 940, 996, 916, 960, 962, 994, 944, 943, 369, 404, 888, 23.

Anyone who thought that heat one’s excellence would set the trend for the night would however be sadly mistaken, as heat two and the final were to follow very similar lines, and a stark contrast to the evening’s first race.

Keys’ attempts to rectify his sick motor were in vain, as the gremlins returned and he retired to the infield for the night even before the warm-up laps were completed. Maxwell therefore inherited the front of the grid, and he soon turned that into a lead he would never lose.

Heatrick settled into second, and as Maxwell channelled all his efforts into building up a sizeable lead, Mark was using his to fend off the rest of the field. Martin tried time and again to get past the #960 206cc, but could never quite make it stick. The Heatrick car was obviously much slower, but Mark was driving a very calculated race. He was giving those on his outside plenty of room, but the lack of outside grip coupled with some very defensive corner entries from Heatrick was keeping allcomers at bay.

Mention must also go to Doak in this one. He’s not only the leader of the points, but for Joe Bloggs in the stand who wants value for his eight quid entrance fee he’s always the man to watch. Right from the green flag to the chequered in this one he was on the offensive, spending many laps outside of Christie and McMillan. Sometimes it comes off in a blaze of glory, although this was one of the frequent times it didn’t, but you certainly can’t fault the guy for giving it 110%.

Maxwell came home over half a lap to the good, which serves to show how much Heatrick was in defensive mode. Mark held them all off to take second, ahead of Martin, Woolsey, McMillan, Christie and Doak.
Result: 369, 960, 994, 940, 944, 962, 996, 943, 404, 963, 888, 23.

The final quickly settled into the same routine as heat two, with Maxwell pulling steadily clear at the front whilst Heatrick went on the defensive once again. First Martin tried the wide outside, almost getting there but never just far enough up. He dropped back slightly, giving Woolsey the chance to go for it. He had pulled it off quite handily in heat one, but all thoughts soon turned to their mammoth battles side by side at Nuttscorner Oval last year, which eventually ended in tears. Gary tried his heart out, but couldn’t make the move stick at all, and then in a move which brought puzzled looks all around the raceway, he just plain and simple seemed to give up, and pulled wide right out of contention. Martin now gave it a go once again, but got rail-roaded back, allowing McMillan and Christie through in the tight finish.

There was nothing tight about Maxwell’s winning margin though, Tommy cruising home a country mile ahead of the field. Heatrick held on to second, after another defensive drive the late, great Leslie Dallas would have been proud of. McMillan snatched third at the death, from Christie, Martin and Doak.
Result: 369, 960, 944, 962, 994, 996, 943, 404, 940, 888, 23.

World Series NI comes to a conclusion this Saturday night when the 16th and final round is staged at Nuttscorner Oval. The Championship is still up for grabs even though the six qualifiers for Ipswich are all but known. It will be calculators at the ready with dropped scores also coming into account. It promises to be a night of high drama… Darren Black


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