By Donal O’Neill
A VARIETY of cars will take to Kirkistown Racing Circuit on Saturday as four visiting classes add to the normal domestic fare.
The first of the visiting classes is the Scottish Fiesta STs, and the man currently leading the championship is Gerry Hendry, who has won three times already this year.
Jamie Dickie is his closest rival, while Kieran Preedy suffers from inconsistency and, as a result, is having a massive battle with Andrew Mackie for third place.
Twenty-Two cars are entered for the two Siltex Safety Fiesta Zetec Championship races, making it the biggest grid seen at Kirkistown this year.
Sean McGovern, from Dublin, will be a hot favourite, but watch out for Athlone’s Sam Doyle and Mornington’s Christian Brennan, who are both already winners in 2026.
By contrast, the Roadsports race has a small field. Jim Larkham, from Newtownabbey, and Mike Ward, from Youghal, should be contesting first place, while Bangor’s Jonathan Smith and Loughgall’s Allen Miller should dispute the final podium place.
The Alloy Repair Centre Fiesta ST Championship cars from Mondello have an excellent 14-car grid.
The men with home advantage are father and son duo Derek and
Michael Graham, from Portadown. Between them, they have won four out of the previous six rounds this season.
The other two winners, who will be racing this Saturday, are Rathfarnham’s Tim McQuaid and Bray’s Charlie McKillen.
The Strykers will make a welcome return, with a 10-car grid, and racing is always close in this class. Kevin McGrath, from Naas, is a front runner, as is Des Bruton, from Leixlip.
Roger Welaratine, from Clarecastle, and David Reynolds, from Baltinglass, should also be at the sharp end.
The Modi-5-Cup for Mazda MX5s has been a success story this past few years, with strong grids and great racing. Dundonald’s Craig Ewing is the man in form, but there is no shortage of quality opposition.
Crossmaglen’s Rob Kennedy would be at the top of that list, alongside Loughinisland’s Paul McAlinden, Antrim’s Robert McAllister and Templepatrick’s Pete Gilchrist.
The Kirkistown Mini Coopers have a small field, but the racing should be tightly contested, with Portadown’s James Turkington, Ballyclare’s Taylor Frizzell, Ballyhalbert’s Craig Gilmore and Lisnaskea’s Darren Gilmore expected to take a win or two.
The Kirkistown Fiestas should see Travis Mawhinney, from Richhill, battling with Neville Anderson, from Banbridge. The dark horse is Strangford’s Ethan Campbell, who is more often seen at the front of the Global GT field.
In contrast to last month’s great turnout of Formula Ford 1600s, there is a much smaller field this time.
However, the main protagonists are still there in the form of Ballina’s Dave Parks, Dundalk’s Ian Campbell and Saintfield’s Philip Harris.
Ballymena’s Henry Campbell and Parkgate’s Mike Todd will be disputing the honours for the older machinery.
There will be two grid walks for spectators during the day. Qualifying starts at 8.45am and the first race is scheduled for 11.05am.
