Stock Rod world championship issue referred to governing body

BALLYMENA Raceway hosted two days of superb oval racing over the weekend of August 24 and 25 where the showcase event on the 24 race speed weekend schedule was the Gilmore Engineering Stock Rod Championship of the World for 2012.

The identity of the new champion remains in doubt however after technical irregularities were discovered on some of the cars during post-race inspections by the race organisers.

It was local driver Stephen McCready, from Antrim, who had crossed the line in first position, with Tipperary driver Colm O’Sullivan and Ballymena’s Chris Gordon next home, but the outcome of the race now rests with the sport’s governing body on the UK mainland.

Disappointed race promoter Aubrey Arbuthnot was left with no option but to refer the matter to the governing body for a ruling after technical inspectors highlighted concerns about the legality of some of the cars, including the Vauxhall Nova of race winner McCready.

No official result will now be declared until clarification has been received from the Oval Racing Council which governs the sport in the UK.

It was an unfortunate end to what had been a superb series of races for the Stock Rod class.

The qualifying heats on Friday evening brought victories for O’Sullivan, Gordon and Cheshire’s Stuart Fox. Thirty-seven drivers lined up for the World final, but nobody could match the pace of the flying McCready who led from start to finish in the 40 lap event. The Stock Rod action for the weekend was rounded off by an International Trophy race which brought a win for Republic of Ireland driver Alan Ramsey.

Heat One: 1st. Colm O’Sullivan (Tipperary), 2nd. Marc Morrell (Ahoghill), 3rd. Jonathan Lattka (Falkirk)

Heat Two: 1st. Chris Gordon (Ballymena), 2nd. Chris Lattka (Falkirk), 3rd. Stuart Smyth (Middlesex)

Heat Three: 1st. Stuart Fox (Cheshire), 2nd. Alan McCormack (Tipperary), 3rd. Mick Rodgers (Randalstown)

World Final 2012: Result not declared at this time

International Trophy: 1st. Alan Ramsey (Cork), 2nd. William Laffin (Coleraine), 3rd. Jonny Cardwell (Ballinderry)

There was a full programme of support races over the weekend as well, which were kindly sponsored by William Moody & Son Car Sales, Toome Road, Ballymena.

For a full report and more photos from the meeting, see this week’s Ballymena Times.

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