Young guns to the fore in first 2016 meeting at Nutts Corner

Prize winners in the Micro F2 section at Nutts Corner Raceway.

Local ace Conor Hughes set out his intentions for the new season with a fantastic win in heat one, the 2014 Irish Champion Craig McConnell followed the rapid Hughes home in second position. McConnell managed to go one better in the second heat taking the flag ahead of Sean McFerran.

Points gained in the heat events determined the closed grid for the Gold Helmet championship with the heat winners placed on the front row for the feature race.

At the green the pole sitters challenged amongst each other for supremacy however it wasn’t long until Hughes showed the upper hand and begun to extend his advantage out front. Hughes took the win from McConnell with the current Irish Champion Chris Kincaid in third.

Junior Rod trophy winners Leah Hughes, Jamie Hunter and Anais McCreight.

JUNIOR RODS

Jamie Hunter was quick to highlight his much improved pace in 2016 after a well calculated final win in the Junior Rod section.

It was the young lady racers who dominated proceedings in heat one with Anais McCreight taking the flag however she was penalised for contact on Leah Hughes which handed the win to Antony Kincaid. Kincaid had another win in heat two followed home by Hughes and Shea Duff. The final was arguably race of the day with conditions still below average the youngsters struggled for traction adding to the spectacle. Jamie Hunter kept his head down and recorded the win ahead of McCreight who had embarked on a mammoth outside line trek for glory in the closing laps.

1300s

Curtis Greer enjoyed a dream afternoon in what was the first outing for his brand new built Vauxhall Corsa C. The Ballymena ace romped to victory in both the second heat and the meeting final being denied the perfect hat trick of wins by Jon McQuillan who himself navigated his pristine new car to a convincing victory in heat one.

SUPPORT ACTION

The 2L Saloons got their season of to a sluggish start with only four drivers in action, the McIvor brothers Anthony & Kieran stole the thunder between them by recording wins in both the races. It was Kieran who won the family battle by scooping the final silverware.

The ORCi Stock Rods were also down on numbers but of those present Jack Kennedy stood out as the one to watch, with a spectacular hat trick of victories. Completing the packed race programme was the Micro F2’s for drivers aged from 7-11. Jack Morrow won both races.