V8
RMS Regular
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It’s that time of year already! Motor racing is back at Kirkistown, with some new names and new cars as well as the established stars.
This Saturday 25th March, 2023 sees the start of the Northern Irish motor racing season taking place at Ireland’s fastest permanent racing circuit at Kirkistown, County Down.
And what a line-up there is in store for fans and spectators!
Pride of place goes to visiting class, Formula Vee, who have provided twenty seven competitors! Formula Vee racing usually serves up the closest racing and most of the main 2022 challengers are back, including multiple winner, Anthony Cross, from Bohernabreena, Colm Blackburn, from Ballyfermot and Lee Newsome, from Wicklow. A strong Ulster presence will be provided by Sean McCallion, from Derry, Ronan Doherty, from Dunloy, Norman May, from Donaghadee and Aaron Murray, from Portglenone.
Anthony Cross will be hoping to retain his Nº 1 plate.
A leading Formula Vee star has made the jump to Formula Ford 1600. Jordan Kelly, from Buncrana, has joined the class and many will be keen to see how this Hot-Shoe fairs against the established names, who this time include, The Randalstown Rocket, Alan Davidson, Ballymena multiple champion, David McCullough and Carrickmacross driver, Trevor Delaney.
The Saloons, GTs and Modi-5-Cup Mazdas form a twenty car field. The sharp end of the Saloons will be very tight. Current Champion, Peter Baxter, from Lurgan, will have to contend with Downpatrick driver, Gareth Blaine, in a similar Seat Supercopa to his. Added to that mix will be Bangor driver, Stephen Potter, in a new Honda Civic. Stephen always builds very fast cars and this one has been at least two years in the making. It is fair to expect Dungiven driver, Gerard O’Connell, to dominate the GT class but behind him there will be a massive scrap among the Wildcats (used to be known as RT2000 or Supercars). John Newport and Stephen Conn, both from Armagh, and Gary Grattan, from Portadown, are names to watch. The Modi-5-Cup fields seven drivers. Francis Allen, from Moira, is the current champion but returning Ace, Robert Kennedy, from Culloville, could spring a surprise.
The Roadsports class sees a return of the rivalry between Newtownabbey man, Jim Larkham, and his nephew, from Ballycarry, Steven Larkham, both in Radical PR6 machines. Added to the field will be the Global GTs and this ensures that the race will feature a rolling start. The man to watch in this class is Ballyclare driver Jack Finlay, although experienced driver, Charlie Linnane, from Kilmacanogue, knows how to win in other classes, so he should be there or thereabouts. The NI Sevens will probably be on this grid as well. Expect Newtownards driver, Graham Moore, to be dicing for the lead with the Francis brothers, Mark and Richard, from Donaghadee.
The Superkarts also feature rolling starts. There is an eighteen kart field. In the 250cc class, Brian Jones, from Craigavon, Colin Menary, from Bangor, Stuart Coey, from Comber and a host of others, could provide the winners in the three races. Aaron Newell, from Ballygowan, has stepped back down to the 125cc class. It will be interesting to see how he goes.
Colin Menary (83) and Brian Jones (43) will be at the front again in 2023.
It is not often that a class is deemed a success before it has even had a first race, but that is the case with the new class for 2023, the Kirkistown Minis. Brainchild of Hugh McEvoy, from Newry, he has produced a grid of thirteen cars for the first of two races at the meeting. Nobody knows who will be at the front but the Gilmore brothers, Craig and Darren, from Ballyhalbert and Lisnaskea respectively, have been going very quickly in testing. Kian O’Brien, from Dundalk, is experienced in the car at Kirkistown, as are Noel and Jack Conachy, from Newry. Hugh and others have put a lot of work into the launch of this series. They have produced series-branded clothing and stickers and have taken two garages at the meeting as a base for all of the drivers. They have even got ex-BTCC driver, Chris Smylie, from Carrickfergus, to present the trophies on the day.
Running with the Kirkistown Minis will be the Kirkistown Fiestas. Current Champion, Derek Graham, from Portadown, and his son, Michael, are entered. Ethan Campbell, from Strangford, and brother of experienced Fiesta driver, Megan, is having his first outing in the class. Paul Larkham, from Larne, is also making his Fiesta debut.
Qualifying starts at 9:00am, with the first race around 11:00am.
This Saturday 25th March, 2023 sees the start of the Northern Irish motor racing season taking place at Ireland’s fastest permanent racing circuit at Kirkistown, County Down.
And what a line-up there is in store for fans and spectators!
Pride of place goes to visiting class, Formula Vee, who have provided twenty seven competitors! Formula Vee racing usually serves up the closest racing and most of the main 2022 challengers are back, including multiple winner, Anthony Cross, from Bohernabreena, Colm Blackburn, from Ballyfermot and Lee Newsome, from Wicklow. A strong Ulster presence will be provided by Sean McCallion, from Derry, Ronan Doherty, from Dunloy, Norman May, from Donaghadee and Aaron Murray, from Portglenone.
Anthony Cross will be hoping to retain his Nº 1 plate.
A leading Formula Vee star has made the jump to Formula Ford 1600. Jordan Kelly, from Buncrana, has joined the class and many will be keen to see how this Hot-Shoe fairs against the established names, who this time include, The Randalstown Rocket, Alan Davidson, Ballymena multiple champion, David McCullough and Carrickmacross driver, Trevor Delaney.
The Saloons, GTs and Modi-5-Cup Mazdas form a twenty car field. The sharp end of the Saloons will be very tight. Current Champion, Peter Baxter, from Lurgan, will have to contend with Downpatrick driver, Gareth Blaine, in a similar Seat Supercopa to his. Added to that mix will be Bangor driver, Stephen Potter, in a new Honda Civic. Stephen always builds very fast cars and this one has been at least two years in the making. It is fair to expect Dungiven driver, Gerard O’Connell, to dominate the GT class but behind him there will be a massive scrap among the Wildcats (used to be known as RT2000 or Supercars). John Newport and Stephen Conn, both from Armagh, and Gary Grattan, from Portadown, are names to watch. The Modi-5-Cup fields seven drivers. Francis Allen, from Moira, is the current champion but returning Ace, Robert Kennedy, from Culloville, could spring a surprise.
The Roadsports class sees a return of the rivalry between Newtownabbey man, Jim Larkham, and his nephew, from Ballycarry, Steven Larkham, both in Radical PR6 machines. Added to the field will be the Global GTs and this ensures that the race will feature a rolling start. The man to watch in this class is Ballyclare driver Jack Finlay, although experienced driver, Charlie Linnane, from Kilmacanogue, knows how to win in other classes, so he should be there or thereabouts. The NI Sevens will probably be on this grid as well. Expect Newtownards driver, Graham Moore, to be dicing for the lead with the Francis brothers, Mark and Richard, from Donaghadee.
The Superkarts also feature rolling starts. There is an eighteen kart field. In the 250cc class, Brian Jones, from Craigavon, Colin Menary, from Bangor, Stuart Coey, from Comber and a host of others, could provide the winners in the three races. Aaron Newell, from Ballygowan, has stepped back down to the 125cc class. It will be interesting to see how he goes.
Colin Menary (83) and Brian Jones (43) will be at the front again in 2023.
It is not often that a class is deemed a success before it has even had a first race, but that is the case with the new class for 2023, the Kirkistown Minis. Brainchild of Hugh McEvoy, from Newry, he has produced a grid of thirteen cars for the first of two races at the meeting. Nobody knows who will be at the front but the Gilmore brothers, Craig and Darren, from Ballyhalbert and Lisnaskea respectively, have been going very quickly in testing. Kian O’Brien, from Dundalk, is experienced in the car at Kirkistown, as are Noel and Jack Conachy, from Newry. Hugh and others have put a lot of work into the launch of this series. They have produced series-branded clothing and stickers and have taken two garages at the meeting as a base for all of the drivers. They have even got ex-BTCC driver, Chris Smylie, from Carrickfergus, to present the trophies on the day.
Running with the Kirkistown Minis will be the Kirkistown Fiestas. Current Champion, Derek Graham, from Portadown, and his son, Michael, are entered. Ethan Campbell, from Strangford, and brother of experienced Fiesta driver, Megan, is having his first outing in the class. Paul Larkham, from Larne, is also making his Fiesta debut.
Qualifying starts at 9:00am, with the first race around 11:00am.
, absolutely love it.
