THIS Saturday (May 25) will see the return of the Legends to Kirkistown Race Circuit.
These 5/8th scale replicas of 1930s American stock cars have seen their popularity boom with the recent coverage they have been getting on the British Touring Car bill on television, and while it is unlikely any of the drivers seen on TV will be at Kirkistown, three of the front runners in the UK championship have raced very competitively at the County Down circuit in the past, namely Robert and Peter Barrable and Jamie Moylan.
Local interest will focus on Richard Spence from Ballymena. Some others to watch for within the 13-strong field are Gordon Brown and Michael Barrable, both from Dublin, and Dunboyne’s Lee Malone. The Legends have three outings at this meeting.
There is an 11-strong Formula Ford 1600 field, where young Strangford driver Ethan Campbell is having another outing in Hugh Reid’s Mondiale. Last month, he had a great battle with Ballymena’s Henry Campbell, which he will be hoping to renew.
‘The Randalstown Rocket’, Alan Davidson, finally gets his 2024 campaign started. He may be in for a shock at how tough the opposition has grown this year. As well as current champion David McCullough (Ballymena), he will have to contend with the in-form Jason Smyth (Celbridge) and Morgan Quinn (Kildare), who is always a front runner.
The Modi-5-Cup Mazda MX5s are showing a good entry. This class has been excellent so far this year and Newry’s Damian Moran will be looking to win again after his success in April. Current champion Francis Allen, from Moira, has yet to have a win this year, although he has yet to finish outside of the top three. Dundonald driver Craig Ewing and Rob Kennedy (Crossmaglen) will provide the competition for Allen.
David Cousins, from Ballywalter, is the founder of the class and can often be seen in the paddock wondering what he has created, as it grows steadily at every meeting.
There are nine Kirkistown Minis entered and the competition in this class is very close.
Newtownards driver Ryan Hogg and Downpatrick’s Finn Blaine are new to racing in 2024. Both are steadily getting quicker lap times and are not far behind the established drivers. At the front end, the winners could come from Peter Bennett (Tandragee), the Stewart brothers, Paul and Mark, from Belfast, Johnny Titterington (Saintfield) the Gilmore brothers, Darren, from Lisnaskea, and Craig, from Ballyhalbert and Taylor Frizzell (Ballyclare).
Due to holiday commitments, March winner Paul Larkham is missing from the Kirkistown Fiestas this time. However, double winner at the April meeting, Michael Graham, is back and hoping for a repeat. The Portadown man’s main rivals will be Megan Campbell, from Strangford, and Neville Anderson (Banbridge). Conor Mulholland, from Newtownabbey, shook the rust off at the last meeting and may well be troubling the front runners this time.
Sadly, there is another poor entry in the Saloons, with just two cars entered – namely the two Gavins, Stanfield from Cabra and Kilkey from Derry. Both are in quick cars so they are being allowed to run with the Roadsports, who also have a small field.
The man to watch in this class is evergreen veteran Arnie Black (Banbridge), who won at the April meeting. Keeping him honest will be Holywood’s John Benson among others.
Qualifying will start at 9.00am and racing should start at around 10.45am.
There are two added attractions associated with this meeting. In keeping with the American theme of the Legend cars, the Northern Ireland Ford Mustang Owners Club will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Ford Mustang and will be displaying their cars near the paddock.
They will also be doing a parade lap or two, behind a safety car, around lunch time. While this will definitely be good to watch, the sound should be amazing.
The second attraction is on Friday evening, in the form of a fun motorsport quiz in the bar at 9.00pm. An a la carte menu is being served from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Booking for food is essential.
