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Fantastic weather at Aghadowey will be welcomed whenever it comes but on the 12th Feb we got 3 seasons in one day (all but summer!)

Testament to the potential of these events were the numbers of die-hards/true motor enthusiasts who managed to venture out to brave the wintry conditions. Conditions that were ideal for the sideways style of Robinson’s Manta 400, David Cahoon’s Senator and Richard Bradley’s Carlton.

Some new faces joined the regular crop of entries. One of the most notable of these being Jason Gibson with his surprisingly rapid Mini. Surprising that is, until you lift the bonnet to see a 1600 Twin Cam CRX engine on throttle bodies. A surprise to everyone that came when the first dummy runs were staged, pitching the Mighty Mini against Alan McBride’s Cossie Capri. Such a cheer there was when the Mini got the better of the first run. Last week a Metro, this week a Mini. Drag Racing, mmm.

All Drag entries were given three dummy runs before the knockout competition started. Two SWRC CRX’s joined in on the fun and proved pretty successful, the racers being well used to getting off the line quickly and in a controlled fashion.

Justin Shaw gave a good account of himself in his Honda Accord, as did Robert Graham in the big white Carlton Gsi. When it came down to it however, the cream certainly rose to the top.

The first to beat James Mullan all day in his SWRC race car was McBride’s Capri, the other similar Honda race car going out to John Kerr’s red Vti. When it came to the crunch, McBride managed to beat the Super-Mini to claim his place in the final show-down against John Kerr.

Cossie-Capri versus Honda Vti might sound like a fore-gone conclusion, but not in these conditions. After some tyre-smoking burn-outs it was indeed the Capri however that made it first to the checkered flag and on to lift the winner’s trophy. Well done both lads!

Winners of the SWRC race program were eventually declared as Anthony Owens (1200cc Class) Peter Nicholson (Sports Hatch) James Mullan (GT) Keith McClelland (GTR). This was after scrutineers discovered that driver 945 (1200cc Class Clio) was found to be cheating with a 1400cc engine. Not very sporting, not very clever.

Keep tuned in for further dates.

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