| Coming Soon: Speedweekend IV, 2.0 Hot Rod World Championship Final, Lightning Rods British Championship, 26th & 27th July | |||||
| Latest News | |||||
| Nuttscorner Oval Cars at Shackleton Charity Festival | |||||
 On
Saturday and Sunday July 19th/20th, a number of Nuttscorner Oval cars were
on display at the Shackleton Charity Motorsport Festival in Ballykelly.
Davy Gurney's new National Hot Rod, along with 2.0 Hot Rods from Gary
O'Neill, Leigh Nicholl and Shaun Arbuckle, were on display. Nuttscorner
Oval would like to thank these drivers for the efforts in promoting our
racing. Photos by Brian Lammey - more at
www.nif2.com |
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| World Championship Speedweekend Preview | |||||
  The
2 Litre Hot Rod World Championship Final will be staged at Nuttscorner
Oval in County Antrim over the weekend of July 26/27, during the biggest
weekend of oval racing action ever staged in Northern Ireland. The
SpeedWeekend will also see the Lightning Rods contest their British
Championship in what promises to be a real explosive double-header of
short oval racing.A host of visitors are expected in both categories, and Ludlow Motorsport’s Mark Paffey from Hampshire will be leading the Spedeworth charge in the Hot Rods as he defends the title he won at Ipswich in 2007. Former National Hot Rod World title holder Malcolm Blackman has also signalled his intention to travel across the Irish Sea for the big event in the Mark Peck-owned car he’s been campaigning in 2008 alongside his National. Former double World-winner Kevin Randell will also be making the trip, with Chris Harvey and Sussex-based Kym Weaver two more of the 14 overseas entries expected to bid for the coveted World trophy. The locals will harbour high hopes of keeping the title on home soil though, with current British and Irish champion Wayne Woolsey aiming to add the gold roof in his Tigra. Current European Champion Andy Best, who won the World the last time it was staged at Nuttscorner Oval in 2005, has been quiet in ’08 but can never be discounted, along with 2002 World winner John Murray. Add in Davy Clarke, Gary Wilson and Garry Campbell to name a few and it should be an action packed weekend of racing. Midlands-based racer Lee Parsons will visit Nuttscorner Oval for the third time this season to defend his British Lightning Rod Championship crown, and he will be joined by recently crowned European Champion Harry Skoyles and Spedeworth hotshots Craig Boyd and Mick Walker for the big race. Hot favourite will of course be local ace Stephen Emerson, who last season bagged the World, European, ORCi and Irish Championships. Emerson has been in scintillating form of late, but can expect a tough time not only from the visitors but also from other local stars in the shape of Nigel Jackson, Gordon McKee and David Hearst. There is a feast of other entertainment on the card across the weekend too, with the National Hot Rods in Round One of the 2009 World Qualifying Series, the all-action National Bangers contesting their annual King of Krash title, and support action from the ever-popular Reliant Robins and the youngsters in the Junior Productions. The action gets underway with the qualifying heats on Saturday 26th July from 5.30pm, with the finals kicking off at 1pm on Sunday 27th. |
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Visiting 2.0 Hot Rods 18 Malcom Payne 22 Dan Payne 40 Kenny Coleman 60 Mark Paffey (Defending Champion) 74 Jason Kew 82 Paul Jones 96 Kevin Randell |
Visiting 2.0 Hot Rods (continued) 130 Andy Lane 209 Kym Weaver 306 William Reed 308 Mark Cooper 310 Sean O'Leary 503 Chris Harvey 911 Malcolm Blackman |
Visiting Lightning Rods 81 Lee Parsons (Defending Champion) 355 Mick Walker 386 Marcus Gridley 445 Craig Boyd 541 Harry Skoyles 641 Willie Skoyles Jnr |
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| Just The Philip As World Showdown Looms | |||||
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Superstar Brendan McConnell capitalised on a late yellow flag caution period to nip past Tommy McCrory Jnr to nick the Junior Productions final, after McCrory and Ciaran Byrne had shared the heats on another excellent outing from the youngsters. In the Robins, Rab Stewart and Irish Champion Ian Bolton took the heat spoils, before Alastair Best steered his new car to victory lane in the final. Many Thanks To Our Meeting Sponsor - Hoggs Bar of Loughgall. |
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| Latest Points Charts Now Available - Grades effective 13th July | |||||
 The
latest points charts and regradings are now available. Glenn McDowell
leads the way in the competitive 2.0 Hot Rod. Nigel Jackson heads the
lightning rods, whilst Junior Production hot shot
Brendan McConnell already has a healthy margin built up, and finds himself graded
alone as a Superstar in that class.Click Here For Points Charts |
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| Woolsey Takes 2.0 Hot Rod British | |||||
 On
Saturday 5th of July, day one of the Ipswich Spedeweekend, Wayne Woolsey
took the 2.0 Hot Rod British championship title. Fellow countrymen Gary
Wilson was fourth, with Mark Madill fifth.Nuttscorner Oval 2.0 Hot Rod star Shane Murray won the stock rod European challenge. The National Hot Rod world championship was successfully defended by Carl Boardley. |
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| National Banger Specs for Speedweekend IV | |||||
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| McConnell is King of Nuttscorner | |||||
 Brendan
McConnell took a heat and final double in the Junior Productions at
Nuttscorner Oval on Saturday night, to become King of Nuttscorner,
following an opening heat win from Marc Logan.The wins where shared in the 2.0 Hot Rods, and the Lightning Rods, with final wins for Paul McConnell and Jim Magee, in the classes respectively.
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| Nuttscorner Oval Calendar Desktop For July | |||||
| Brighten up your PC desktop this month with our great Nuttscorner Oval calendar desktop. Select and open the appropriate size, right click and then "Save as Background". Pictures Courtesy of Brian Lammey. | |||||
| Wilson's Wonderful in Wet | |||||
 On
Saturday night, Gary Wilson took a heat and final double in the 2.0 Hot
Rods, as the drivers battled through some challenging wet conditions. Half
the meeting passed in damp but drying conditions, until the heavens opened
mid way through the second set of heats and provided conditions perhaps
better suited to powerboats. Darren McGeady took the win in the opening
heat for the Hot Rods, ahead of a fantastic scrap for second.In the Lightning Rods there was an opening heat win for Jim Magee in the ex Philip Wilson car, and Martin O'Flaherty's fine form continued with the win in the second heat, while it was Gordon McKee who mastered the tricky conditions in the final to take the spoils. Timmy Hazlett and Ryan Magee shared the heats in the juniors, with Tommy McCrory Jnr taking the flag in the final, while the Robins seen a heat and final double for Michael Logan, with Alastair Best the victor in heat two. |
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| Many Thanks to the meeting sponsor McClure 4x4 Sales, Poyntzpass, Tel: 07801783350
Click Here For Full Results Click Here for the Gallery |
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| Carey Takes Banger Figure of 8 | |||||
 Keith
Carey took the win in the National Bangers Figure of 8 at Nuttscorner Oval
on Sunday, despite taking a few T-Bone hits on his way to victory. The
bangers were as ever in lively form, with plenty of first corner action,
with the figure of 8 providing to be the chaotic affair you'd expect.
Carey went on to take the Destruction derby win at the end of the day as
well.The 2.0L Hot Rods provided close racing all day, with Thomas Dilly and Ed Litter sharing the heats, and Litter the victor in the final, ahead of a battling trio of Thomas Dilly, Wayne McClure and John Murray. The Lightning Rods seen Martin O'Flaherty continue where he left off the previous week, taking wins in both the heats. It was O'Flaherty again who took an early lead in the final, but was hotly pursued by Best, who clashed with O'Flaherty before the two clashed, leaving Best in the lead, but receiving a black cross for his efforts, all the action up front played into the hands of Stephen Emerson, who came through to take the win, eventually passing Best, who still led on the track, on the outside. Tommy McCrory Junior drove an excellent race to to the win in the Junior Production heat, with Brendan McConnell taking the spoils in the final, demonstrating an excellent outside pass on McCrory in the closing stages. |
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| Many Thanks to the meeting sponsor RJR Developments Click Here For Full Results Click Here for the Gallery |
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| Ipswich Qualifiers Revealed | |||||
| The
drivers have qualified to represent Nuttscorner Oval at the Ipswich
Spedeweekend. 2.0L Hot Rods - Mark Madill, Shane Murray, Davy Clarke, Fergal McNally, Gary Wilson, Glenn McDowell, Wayne Woolsey, Adam Hylands, Derek Martin and Philip Beatie. Denver McClean also qualified but is unable to attend. Lightning Rods - Ricky Shaw, David Hearst, Francis Rafferty and Stephen Emerson. Nigel Jackson also qualified but is unable to attend. |
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| Dynes, O'Flaherty and Hazlett Are on Song in the Rain | |||||
| Sean Dynes, Martin O'Flaherty and Tim Hazlett where the 3 final winners on Friday 6th of June, at a rather damp Nuttscorner Oval. | |||||
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Click Here For Full Results Click Here for the Gallery |
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| Latest Points Charts Now Available | |||||
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The
latest points charts and regradings are now available. Glenn McDowell leads the way in the competitive 2.0 Hot Rod class
in his Starlet after a consistent month, but he will find
things much harder now from the red grade. Newcomer for '08 Francis
Rafferty now shares the lead in
the Lightning Rods with Ricky Shaw, whilst Junior Production hot shot
Brendan McConnell already has a healthy margin built up, and finds himself graded
alone as a Superstar in that class. Click Here For Points Charts |
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| Madill Makes His Mark Again | |||||
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Glenarm’s Ryan Magee won his first ever final in the Junior Productions after failing to make any real impression in the heats, which fell to Timmy Hazlett and Brendan McConnell. Magee made no mistake in the feature race though, storming through to take up the running from the blue grade. Current form man Marc Logan struggled to get back on terms, but kept a delighted Ryan honest all the way to his first trophy. Former World Reliant Robin Champion Roger Nelson certainly stirred things up when he joined the ranks on Saturday night. Roger, who won the World at Mildenhall in 2004, has recently moved to Co Tipperary, and intends being a regular in the class in the coming meetings at Nuttscorner Oval. Driving the Rab Stewart Mr Blobby machine, Nelson powered to a heat and final double – the only blot on his copybook being during heat two, when a last bend lunge for the lead saw both himself and Michael Logan rollover out of contention in a spectacular incident. Meeting sponsor James Logan came through to win that one. Many thanks to our meeting sponsor – Logan Landscapes of Ballyclare 028 9332 2644/ 07818 631 584 |
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| National Bangers Figure 8 Irish Championship | |||||
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As the first Figure 8 meeting for a number of years, hopes are high that this will be a meeting to remember. There will be a prize fund for the day for the National Bangers of £500. |
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| Nuttscorner Oval Calendar Desktop For June | |||||
| Brighten up your PC desktop this month with our great Nuttscorner Oval calendar desktop. This month we feature Mark Madill's superbly presented Peugeot 205 2.0 Hot Rod which has been in great form recently. We also have a superb shot of a National Banger as Figure 8 racing returns on June 15th for the Irish Championship. Select and open the appropriate size, right click and then "Save as Background". Pictures Courtesy of Brian Lammey. | |||||
| Buller and Doak Take National Hot Rod Spoils | |||||
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In the Lightning Rods, Vince Litter celebrated a return to form as he too took a brace of wins including the night’s feature race. Andrew Percy followed him across the line after a controversial clash between Jason Devlin and World Champion Stephen Emerson. Marc Logan was once again the man to beat in the Junior Productions, being another to take a well-earned heat and final double. On current form he will surely be looking at a move to the red grade very soon, from where Brendan McConnell took runner-up spot in the final. The meeting was kindly sponsored by Dilly Roofing Supplies of Portadown – Tel:07872 646452 Click Here For National Hot Rod Report Click Here For Gallery by Brian Lammey
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| Important Fixture Changes | |||||
| The
Reliant Robins Irish Open Championship due to take place on Saturday
May 31st has been postponed due to problems with some of our
visiting drivers. We hope to reschedule this championship for later in the
season. The meeting will however go ahead as planned on the same date, May
31st, with the same four formulae competing - 2.0 Hot Rods, Lightning
Rods, Junior Productions and Reliant Robins.
The meeting originally scheduled for Saturday
June 7th will now take place 24 hours earlier on Friday June 6th at the
usual time of 7.30pm, featuring 2.0 Hot Rods, Lightning Rods and
Junior Productions. |
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| Hat Tricks for Buller and O'Neill as Emerson in Crowned King of the 'Corner | |||||
 Rising
star William Buller swapped the F1 paddock at Barcelona last weekend for a
windswept Nuttscorner Oval to sweep to a faultless hat trick of victories
in the latest National Hot Rods World Qualifying Round. Buller, who
debuted in the Formula BMW Euroseries last weekend, made light of those
ahead on the grid to claim three convincing wins as he disappeared into
the sunset on each occasion. John Christie put up a spirited drive round
the outside to claim second in the final, but by that stage young Buller
was long gone.A drop to yellow grade after an indifferent start to his 2.0 Hot Rod career proved to be just the tonic for Limavady's Gary O'Neill, as he was another to take the chequered flag on three occasions. Shane Murray pressed him hard in the final, but behind the large field produced some superb side by side hot rod racing all night long. There was certainly no quarter given, and certainly none expected, as the red graded drivers fought their way through, with one driver admitting he hadn't been on the inside line for the whole of the second heat! Exactly what the spectators want to see! |
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Stephen Emerson added the King of Nuttscorner title to his World,
European, ORCi and Irish crowns as he powered his car to a flag to flag
win in the feature race. Having shared the heat wins with Philip Wilson,
Emerson led the final away from pole position and was never headed,
despite Nigel Jackson keeping him honest all the way and almost getting on
terms when wayward backmarkers held the leader up. Jackson took second,
with defending champion Gordon McKee filling out the podium. The Junior Productions produced probably the performance of the night, if not of the season so far. Ballynure's Marc Logan, having settled for second behind Tommy McCrory Jnr in heat one, drove the race of his life to haul himself right around the outside of both McCrory and Tim Hazlett in the closing stages of heat two in a masterful piece of driving that everyone in the stadium enjoyed. He then saw a handsome lead in the final disappear with a caution period, but when most expected star man Brendan McConnell to steal through for victory, Logan drove a superb last 5 laps to record his first ever final win, and a very deserved and popular one at that. The meeting was
kindly sponsored by Wilson's Cash and Carry of Larne Tel: 028 2826 0976 |
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| Ace Ash Steals Glory As Bears Defend Shamwreck Title Superbly | |||||
 On
a day when a massive crowd were treated to Banger Racing at it's very
best, 'Ace' Ash Riley steered his Supra to a superb victory in Shamwreck
'08. The heats earlier in the day had fallen to Dublin's Mark Hughes,
Brighton's Jason Pollard and Portsmouth's Arron Keoghan, just showing the
distances some had travelled to take part in Ireland's biggest ever Banger
event. That was only half the story though, as some of the hits going in,
especially on turns 3 and 4, were absolutely amazing. Paddy Clerkin's Jag
was followed in and snapped big time in heat one by Stinkbridge's Ian
Gregory which gained him the 'Entertainer of the Day' trophy. Heat Two saw
one of the Team Dutch Volvo's going flying across turns 3/4 with more than
a little help, whilst The Bears and The Levellers gave each other a
pasting in Heat Three. Pics above and below by John Wolsey. |
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| The
Shamwreck Final produced the biggest field of the day, and the action was,
as expected, even more intense. Probably the biggest hit of the many in
this one was Stinkbridge demolishing the Estate of Buckle's Andrew Murphy
with a monstrous T-Bone! Ace Ash took the win for The Bears, but had Nigel
Ashley of Stinkbridge bearing down on him as the laps ran out. One more
lap and it may have been a different story. Arron Keoghan completed the
top three. The DD turned into a Stinkbridge benefit, with Simon Healds
taking the honours. Overall a superb day all round with plenty a massive
hits and hand shaking and smiles afterwards - excellent stuff!! Best
Turned Out Car on the day was voted to be The Last Rites' Darren Gaffney's
Volvo. Pics below by Brian Lammey. |
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| In
the support classes, Philip Beatty took the win in the 2.0 Hot Rods after
a skirmish between leaders Adam Hylands and heat winner Ryan Abernehthy
saw the latter spun out and the former receiving a black flag. Beatty
accepted the lead and reeled off the laps to win from Fergal McNally. Ricky Shaw was the class of the Lightning Rods, taking a double victory of heat and final from an excellent entry swelled by visiting British Champion Lee Parsons. David Hearst chased him home in the final ahead of World Champion Stephen Emerson. The meeting was kindly sponsored by AHS The Hire Specialists of Armagh Tel: 028 3752 7333 |
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| Dead Serious About Cars | |||||
 After
the hectic meeting at Shamwreck '08, Nuttscorner Oval had a number of cars
on display at the Dead Serious About Cars event in Portadown on Sunday
night. The cars were well received by the public, with plenty of interest
shown in our racing and many fixture lists handed out. Nuttscorner Oval
would like to thank Adam Hylands Racing and R-Mac Motorsport for their
help with this venture. |
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| Lightning Rod For Sale | |||||
 Garry
Clarke is offering his top quality Lightning Rod for sale. For details,
visit the
For Sale Page.Nuttscorneroval.com offers free ads in the For Sale section, so if you have any cars or spares you wish to sell drop an email, preferably with picture, to info@nuttscorneroval.com - Nuttscorner Oval related formula/items only please. |
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| Young Guns Steal Show in Hot Rods | |||||
 From a massive 29 car field of 2.0 Hot Rods on Saturday night, it was the young guns who shared the glory, with Derek Martin grabbing both heat wins before Stock Rod star Shane Murray was gifted victory in the final after on the road winner Mark Madill was docked two places for contact on Martin. Martin himself had been on a black cross for contact on the then leader Adam Hylands, so Madill could quite easily have seen himself being handed the victory. It was Murray however who recorded the win on his first appearance in the recently acquired ex-Davy McCall Corsa, having followed Madill through from the blue grade. After meeting last week’s meeting through injury, World Champion Stephen Emerson announced his return to the Lightning Rods in emphatic style with a heat and final double. Novice Lee Best, on his first oval outing since Shamrock Park Juniors 8 years ago, excelled all night too, taking the first heat victory before giving Emerson more than a decent fight for the other races. The World Champion was just too good, finishing well clear of the other star men, whilst Best will be one to watch should he continue in his fathers car. |
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There was drama aplenty once again from the Junior Productions, with yellow flags and incidents galore. Derek McMillan took a well-deserved maiden victory in heat one, but was sidelined for the rest of the night by a heat two accident that claimed many victims. Ryan Magee was the winner in that one, before Chris Hamill stormed through to take the final in his newly-liveried machine. After going through something of a lean spell over the past months, Rab Stewart bounced right back to form with a faultless hat-trick of wins in the Reliant Robins. Irish Champion Ian Bolton was his nearest challenger, closely following him home in both heat two and the final. The meeting was kindly sponsored by Insurance Partnership, of Russell Street in Armagh. Tel: 028 3752 4000. www.insurancepartnership.com |
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| King Campbell of Nuttscorner | |||||
| Former British Champion Garry Campbell announced his return to form in style with an emphatic victory in Saturday's King of Nuttscorner title race for the 2.0 Hot Rods. The reverse grid heats featuring another mid-twenties entry had earlier gone the way of Gary Wilson and European Champion Andy Best, but Campbell's consistent finishes of second and sixth netted him pole position for the feature final, with Wilson alongside. At the second time of asking the battle commenced, with Wilson being an early casualty, followed soon after by Best. As a battle royal for second took place between Paul Cregan and William Buller, later joined by Glenn McDowell and Wayne Woolsey, Campbell just got the head down and romped to an easy victory. Cregan grabbed the runner up trophy in the end, with Buller in third. Another top night's action from the 2 Litre Rods, easily the most competitive formula on the Ulster ovals at present. | |||||
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| The
Lightning Rods as always were full of drama, not least at the start of
heat one when an incident saw the River Bend completely blocked and the
red flags getting an airing. Davy McMenemy took the honours in that one,
with Francis Rafferty grabbing the heat two win. These two would
ultimately contest the final trophy too, with McMenemy closing long time
leader Rafferty down nearing the finish. Coming round to collect three to
go, McMenemy's lunge down the inside took Rafferty out of the race, with
the Steward calling for an immediate red flag, after which Rafferty was
reinstated as race winner under the Girling Rule. There was plenty of late race drama in the Junior Productions final, which saw the race winner decided on the very last corner. The impressive Derek McMillan, who has taken to racing like a duck to water on his three outings so far, had led all the way, but saw his huge lead evaporate with unco-operative backmarkers. From a straight of a lead, suddenly Brendan McConnell and Chris Hamill were on him entering the final turn, with the lap down Kieran Byrne in the mix too. McMillan was badly baulked and ended up spinning to the infield and retirement. Experienced campaigner McConnell held on the just get the nod on the line, with Hamill a gallant second. Great stuff from the youngsters, and hard luck on young McMillan who will surely have the chequered flag in hand very soon. The meeting was kindly sponsored by J N Rea Haulage Tel: 07740 506012. Click Here For Brian Lammey's Gallery
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| Hippy Triumphs in Bruising Irish Open Encounter | |||||
| Michael ‘Hippy’ Smith was the man of the moment at Nuttscorner Oval of Sunday when he scooped the 2L National Bangers Irish Open Championship. During what was a very ill-tempered meeting, Hippy guided his Toyota to the flag despite some massive hits going on all around the raceway. Local Ulster driver Davy Patton claimed second for Team Buckle, whilst Stevo McGrath replicated his third spot from last season once again for Team Savage. The Support Heat fell to Gavin Mulvey from the Last Rites, whilst the DD was declared null and void by the meeting steward when the winner decided to get involved with a beached car which had just begun to move again – and all this after the chequered and red flags had waved, and personnel were on the track. Lets just hope the behaviour of some drivers, especially those who have raced internationally and should know better, improves before next months Shamwreck meeting. Otherwise, an eventful and action packed day as always from the National Bangers at Nuttscorner. | |||||
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| The
2.0 Hot Rods, like all the other classes, struggled on the treacherous
track conditions created by the combination of the rain showers and the
Bangers. The heats fell the way of two newcomers to the class this season,
former Lightning Rod star Mark Madill and former Junior Production winner
Derek Martin. Derek proved, along with Adam Hylands once again, that the
graduates from the Juniors will be ones to watch in 2008. The final saw
the cars have to cope with a half and half track, and it was stalwart
Denver McLean who stormed through from the red grade to take the win from
Irish Champion Wayne Woolsey, after leader Hylands tangled with
backmarkers. All Pics By Brian Lammey Ricky Shaw was the toast of the Lightning Rods, showing his liking for the conditions as he recorded a heat and final double. Francis Rafferty held Ricky at bay to claim heat one as the newcomer continued to show excellent form, but he couldn’t match the pace of Shaw once the conditions worsened, and Ricky was left to lead home Joe Best and David Hearst in the feature race. |
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| The
Junior Productions served up three different winners in their three races,
with last weeks’ hat-trick hero Chris Hamill not even amongst them! Debut
wins for Kieran Byrne and then Ryan Magee warmed things up nicely for a
lively final. However it was old hand Brendan McConnell who swooped
through to take the honours, in a race which saw the conditions get the
better of many of the youngsters. The meeting was kindly sponsored by Hearst Signs of Richhill, Tel 028 3887 1058 Click Here For Results Click Here For Brian Lammey's Gallery |
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| New Season Kicks Off in Style at Nuttscorner Oval | |||||
 The
2008 Nuttscorner Oval season kicked off in fine style on Easter Monday
with an action packed Bryan Hynds Services sponsored 14 race programme
featuring excellent car turn-outs. We also had BBC TV cameras in
attendance all day for the "Petrolheads" documentary programme, with a
mini race card of Reliant Robin racing run pre-meeting especially for TV
purposes. Presenter Carolyn Stewart got behind the wheel too in her
superbly presented Robin, whilst Billy McClean was the victor in the TV
Trophy. The crews also banked some superb footage of all the other classes
in action on the day for the programme, which will air later on in 2008.All Photos courtesy of Brian Lammey and John Wolsey |
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Mark Heatrick helped his World Final aspirations by taking the feature race in the National Hot Rods World Qualifying Round 12. On a day when a number of penalties were handed down, Ronnie McMillan and former World Champion Keith Martin bagged the other heats. Young William Buller made a more than respectable debut in the Nationals too, mixing it with the established stars like a veteran in his immaculate Tigra. From a superb entry of 29 2.0 Hot Rods, former British Champion Garry Campbell and former Junior Productions Irish Champion Adam Hylands shared the heats, with class newcomer Hylands looking very impressive in his new surroundings. It looked like a shoot out between the two for the final as well, until they tangled exiting the final turn in a dramatic finish. Both cars spun onto the infield without technically crossing the line, and with Wayne Woolsey retiring from third in the dying laps it was left to Buller to claim the win. William was almost embarassed by it all, having been a distant fourth with a lap or so to go - to such an extent that he presented his trophy to a young fan spectating at race control in a great gesture. |
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Francis Rafferty looked odds on to claim a hat-trick on only his second Lightning Rods outing, but a race suspension as they dealt with the worst conditions of the day allowed David Hearst to relegate Francis to second and claim the win. Davy McMenemy was in fact first over the line in heat two, but was dropped two places for contact giving Rafferty his second win of the day. The Junior Productions were not void of action either, as the final developed into a great scrap between double heat winner Chris Hamill, the impressive Kieran Byrne, 'veteran' Brendan McConnell and Kyle Beattie. Hamill picked up a black cross but went on to cross the line first. Fortunately for him the cross resulted in no action being taken other than a stern lecture from the Steward of the Meeting, and he duly notched up the hat-trick. The Reliant Robins completed the programme with two races following their TV racing earlier in the day. Stewart McClean took the heat win, with Alastair Best grabbing the final, a race in which Petrolheads winner Billy McClean almost demolished his Robin in a monumental rollover on the Nutts Corner bend. Many Thanks to the
Sponsor of Easter Monday's Meeting - Bryan Hynds Services of Portadown,
Garden Machinery and Grounds Maintenance Specialists. Tel 028 3833 5885. |
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| New Points System in Place for 2008 | |||||
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Heats: 13, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Finals: 15, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Points
will not be scored in any meeting where graded starts are not used (i.e.
Championships & King of Nuttscorner) unless stated beforehand by the
promotion. |
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| New Nuttscorner Oval Mailing List | |||||
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Nuttscorner Oval have greatly improved our mailing list emails for 2008,
the first of which has already gone out. As the previous mailing list has
been rendered defunct on the recent rebuild of the website, anyone wishing
to receive the excellent and professional new updates should click on the
icon at the top of this page to join the mailing list. |
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| Exclusive Pictures of New William 'Buck' Buller National Hot Rod | |||||
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Scarva teenager William Buller is all set for a very busy 2008, having just unveiled this pristine new Ludlow Motorsport Vauxhall Tigra National Hot Rod. William will be fighting on three fronts this year, with his main focus being his campaign in Formula BMW Europe with Fortec Motorsport. This will see him compete at all the European Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends, as he steps up his circuit racing commitments following his successful T-Car exploits last season. |
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On all his weekends off from his professional career however, William will be seen on the ovals as always, and the new National will make it's debut over the Easter weekend. Experience is what it's all about at this stage, and he will hopefully be in a position to challenge the World Series NI front-runners when the 2008/2009 season kicks off in July. He will also have his 2.0 Hot Rod in action too, and has his eyes set on World Championship glory at Nuttscorner Oval in July, having claimed runner up spot in last years European Championship at the same venue. Nuttscorner Oval one weekend, Silverstone or Spa the next - now that's the life!!! |
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| New Season Build Up Continues With Practice Day | |||||
| With the 2008 Nuttscorner Oval season almost upon us, many drivers took the opportunity to try out new, rebuilt and refettled cars at Saturdays practice day. It was a very cold afternoon, with the track starting out as what could best be described as "tricky", before drying out slightly. Further rain showers however put paid to any purposeful running though as the day progressed. | |||||
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There were many 2.0 Hot Rods
in attendance at the start of their World Final year, including Thomas
Dilly's superb ex-Mark Kelman Citroen C2. It seemed to perform well in the
greasy conditions, as did the ex-Andrew Murray Ludlow Corsa of 2
Litre debutant and former Stock Rodder Gary O'Neill. Former Junior
Production stars Adam Hylands and Derek Martin gave their new mounts a
home debut, with Derek benefitting most as Uncle Keith Martin and cousin
Andy Best had turns at fine tuning the new Adam Best built Tigra. There
was also a welcome return for Sean Dynes in his Clio as well as another
new mount for Feargal McNally, this time a Carcraft Corsa sourced in
England. It really does look like we're in for a bumper year entry wise in
the 2.0 Hot Rods. |
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| There
was plenty of interest too across the other classes, with former Lightning
Rod National and ORCi Champion Mark Keys debuting his recently acquired
ex-McClure/Dilly SHP 206 National Hot Rod. Diff problems however curtailed
his running, but not before he showed how good a recruit he'll be for the
Nationals. Having won the final last time out in a borrowed car, Francis
Rafferty had a brand new Lightning Rod to show off too, while Ricky Shaw
and Kenny Robinson both gave their new mounts some testing. World Champion
Stephen Emerson finally got his 2007 Antrim Show car onto the track,
whilst Andrew Percy was showing well in his newly liveried machine. There were a number of Junior Productions in attendance too, including an accomplished debut for Derek McMillan, son of National Hot Rodder Ronnie. More Pictures in the Gallery |
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| Tipperary International Falls to Best | |||||
 The
2.0 Hot Rods made the inaugural visit to Tipperary Motor Speedway last
weekend and it was Andy Best who took the spoils with a heat and final
double. 16 cars raced in all, including English traveller Kym Weaver.
There were debuts for former Junior Production star men Adam Hylands and
Derek Martin in superb new cars, whilst Thomas Dilly made his first start
in the class in the ex-McClure 205 and Stock Rod National Champion raced
impressively in the William Buller Corsa.Former World Champion Davy McCall took the flag in heat one ahead of Wayne Woolsey who seemed to be as fast as anything on the track all afternoon, but would be beset with mechanical troubles. Best then took over to record wins in heat two and the final, both ahead of Davy Clarke. Weaver took third in the feature race, with McCall taking the last trophy in fourth (Pic above by John Wolsey of Racemart). All the drivers and supporters enjoyed what was an historical day for the class, and hopefully one which will be repeated in the future. Gordon McKee was also on form in the Lightning Rods, taking a hat-trick as he went unbeaten throughout the race card. Ricky Shaw raced well on his return to the class, as did Kenny Robinson who debuted his smart new machine for '08. The Maxwell brothers, Terry and Tommy, raced in the National Hot Rods along with Wayne Woolsey, but none worried the lapscorers as they started from the rear in what was a Republic of Ireland World Qualifier. Photos Below by Leigh Nicholl of ljn designs Click Here For Galleries by Leigh Nicholl and John Wolsey |
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Nuttscorner
Oval, after consultation with a number of drivers, will introduce a new
points system in 2008 aimed at rewarding more finishers in each race. With
growing numbers of competitors in some of the classes, many of the star
drivers were driving excellent races from the rear of the grid and
finishing outside of the points places – scant reward for their efforts.
Also, the double points previously on offer for finals has been reduced.
