Raceway resumes this Saturday with Summer Racefest

Five mouth watering formulae fill the racecard, and with them all chasing titles it should be an action packed evening of short oval entertainment.

Topping the bill will be the Stock Rods division, and with their World Championship taking place at Raceway next month the Irish Grand Prix will be a great indicator of form.

Kells ace Carl Sloan was victorious last time out after a fine evening’s efforts, whilst novice grader Sammy Graham surprised many with his pace which carried him to a heat win.

Jonny Cardwell was the other winner on the night, but expect the title race to bring the best from star drivers like British Champion Raymond Harper, Victor McAfee, Micky McFall and Stephen McCready, other local contenders will be young guns Derek McMillan and Marc Morrell who have been in great form all season.

Visiting drivers Grant McGowan and Peter Henderson are making trip over for the Irish GP from Scotland add in Colm O’Sullivan, Graham Nelson, Alan McCormack and Gary Butler from Southern Ireland to the mix and we will certainly have a great nights racing from the very competitive Stock Rod division.

The ever popular Group 2 Lightning Rods will as usual field the night’s largest grid, but picking a winner in the Challenge Cup is still as difficult as ever.

Freddie Fleck was in fine form at the last meeting to land the final win, and with it his own trophy as he was also the meeting sponsor.

Jason Clyde had a brace of top finishes as well as a heat win, and is sure to be a top contender, especially should it rain. Former Irish Champion Shane Gault is enjoying a spell in the yellow grade and should also rack up some good finishes again.

The coveted trophy is sure to bring the best from all the drivers, so watch too for Kenny Carson, Noel Hazlett, Davy Gillespie and lady racer Liscinda Smyth to name a few.

The young drivers in the Junior Rods produced some outstanding racing at their last meeting, and the race fans will be hoping for something similar this weekend in the Next Generation Cup.

Jaimie McCurdy came out on top that time to record a double victory on the night, but in the superb final was chased hard by Mark Graham, Peter Greer, Aaron Moody and Peter Stewart.

Any one could have taken the title, and the close racing was a joy to watch for the racefans. Dylan Magee, Aidan McFerran and Calvin Blake are others who will be aiming to gatecrash the premier positions.

Dan Feeney has been in unstoppable form in the 1300 Stock Cars at Raceway so far this year, and will start as a firm favourite for the Iron Man Trophy in the rough and tumble class.

The bumpers are always put to good use in the 1300’s, and that certainly does produce some exciting and unpredictable action.

Ballymena driver David Reynolds was amongst the victors last time out, and he knows the town track well from his time in the Group 2 Lightning Rods. Nutts Corner based brothers Willie and Ryan Stewart are both fiercely competitive racers who will be after the win, along with young Ryan Patton and Adrian McKinstry.

The Open Hot Rods will be contesting their Golden Helmet Trophy, and it should be a wide open affair. Londonderry’s Davy Gurney, Macosquin’s Jaye Nevin and local Aughafatten driver Bill McCurdy have all shown good form so far in 2012. Recent newcomer Simon Kennedy is another who could spring a surprise, whilst Arthur Roxborough, Jason Winning and Gareth Nevin should also be in action.

The first green flag drops on Saturday night at the usual time of 7.15pm.

GLENN TOP OF WORLD

Congratulations to Ballymena Raceway regular Glenn Bell, from Portadown, who won the National Hot Rods 2012 World Championship at Foxhall on Sunday, in very wet conditions.