Drivers gear up for Speed Weekend at Ballymena Raceway

Drivers from the UK mainland and Southern Ireland join the best from the province to participate in two days of international competition (August 23/24), with the Euro Challenge and UK Championship for the ever popular Stock Rod class the centre piece of a presentation that also includes a packed programme of additional attractions for race fans to enjoy such as a World Qualifying Round for the high-speed National Hot Rods and the Supreme Championship for both the F2 and Saloon Stock Cars.

World Champion Chris Gordon from Ballymena heads the impressive entry for the Stock Rod events.

The twenty-three year old local lad defends his World title in Scotland next month and will be aiming for a morale boasting victory at his home circuit this weekend.

That will be easier said than done however against the calibre of opposition on display. Scottish Champion Chris ‘Gunner’ Lattka is also the current European and National Champion and the Falkirk flyer won the Irish Open event at Raceway over Easter in his potent Vauxhall Corsa. Jonathan Lattka and Trevor Harris also make the trip from Scotland where they will go head to head with local favourites such as Irish Champion Stevie McNiece, Micky McFall, Victor McAfee and Carl Sloan plus drivers from Tipperary Raceway in Southern Ireland.

A full programme of support races are scheduled on both evenings with a World Qualifier for the National Hot Rods taking pride of place at the Ross Hyndman Motors sponsored meeting on Friday evening. The local scene is packed with star names such as World Champion John Christie, 2012 World Champion Glenn Bell, 2005 World Champion Keith Martin and former British Champion Stewart Doak.

With the likes of Adam Maxwell, Mark Heatrick, Ian McReynolds, Thomas Dilly and Andrew Murray expected to pose a serious threat for one of the coveted World Final spots race fans can expect the sparks to fly at Raceway this weekend. 1600 Lightning Rods, Speed Stocks and the Junior Rod Irish Masters event complete the Friday line-up.

Saturday evening features the well supported GP2 class which contest their Irish Grand Prix, while the Euro Stocks make their track debut. Contact fans are well catered for at the Curtis Cars / Wm. Moody & Son Car Sales sponsored fixture with both the F2 Stock Cars and the heavy metal Saloon Stock Cars in attendance to battle it out for their respective Supreme Championships.

Star names Christopher Kincaid, Craig McConnell and Ryan McCrory are the drivers to look out for in the F2’s, while Irish Champion Ryan Wright from Cullybackey is the one to beat in the Saloons.

It promises to be an excellent weekend of short oval motorsport that all the family can enjoy, with the on track action getting underway in the Ballymena Showground’s at 7:15pm on Friday evening and 6:30pm on Saturday.