Grand National Glory for Willie

Willie Murray was the pace setter in the Brisca F2 Stock Cars feature race, round 5 of the Grand National Series.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Aug 2015, 13:00 BST

The rapid yellow grader kept his cool to take the spoils ahead of Graham Feagn and Conor Hughes. Hughes was in unstoppable form during the heats where he claimed glory in both races, there was major drama in heat 1 when Chris Kincaid performed a massive barrel roll on the home straight eventually coming to rest on top of the perimeter wall. Thomas Greer landed a fine victory in the meeting final with Fegan and Hughes next across the line. Ballymena’s Jonny Gillespie continued in his winning streak when he scooped the Group 2 Lightning Rod Gold Cup. 2 qualifying heats won by Rodney Stewart and returnee Daniel Rodgers formed the grid for the feature race, a runner up finish in heat one and third in heat 2 give the World Cup champion Gillespie a front row start. Gillespie made a text book start building up a healthy advantage over his competitors eventually going on to take the flag ahead of Nigel Doherty and Kenny Carson. Wilfie McNiece was the toast of the Stock Rods grabbing yet another title in the form of the annual golden helmet event. McNiece and former Junior Rod star Niall McFerran shared the heat honours before McNiece went one better to record the win in the main event, McFerran was the gallant runner up only a few inches behind the rapid race winner, Matthew McKinstry completed the podium steps. Tyler McClurkin and Declan Og McFerran were the Junior F2 race winners in what was another demonstration meeting for the ever growing formula. Matthew Milliken and Shea Duff were the star performers in the Junior Rod heat races before Jack Patchett recorded and excellent victory in the meeting final, Antony Kincaid was the runner up with heat 2 winner Duff rounding out the podium finishers. Race action returns to the ‘Corner’ on Wednesday, August 12 at 7.30pm another qualifying round for the F2 Grand National Series the main attraction. The 2L Saloon will make a welcome return as they contest their 2015 Gold Cup with 1300 Stock Cars and Stock Rods completing the 13 race programme.