By Donal O’Neill
THE ever-popular Legends will make their return to Kirkistown Race Circuit this Saturday.
These 5/8th scale replicas of 1930s American stock cars, powered by 1250cc Yamaha engines, are massive favourites amongst the public.
With the cars being so equal, and most of the drivers well experienced, the racing will be close and exciting.
They have three races on the programme and, just prior to their final outing, there will be a grid walk for the public to get up close to the cars and drivers.
Three top Dublin drivers, Derek Hogan, Michael Barrable and Gordon Brown, have been tipped for success.
Nico Frank, who always performs at Kirkistown, will make the trip from Berlin, and there are five other drivers in the mix, including Ballymena’s Richard Spence.
The Formula Ford 1600 grid is small but packed with talent. Matthew Gilmore, from Belfast, won last time out, and Dundalk’s Ian Campbell will be trying to stop him from repeating the feat.
Once again, Ballina’s Dave Parks will be putting his older Reynard where it has no right to be, at the front of the grid, while David Nicholl, from Armagh, is making a welcome return after his substantial crash earlier in the season.
The usual suspects will be battling each other for honours in the Kirkistown Fiestas. Travis Mawhinney, from Richhill, has been very hard to beat this season, but Banbridge driver Neville Anderson has been doing his best.
There will also be a strong field of Sportscars taking to the track, with Youghal’s Mike Ward and Newtownabbey’s Jim Larkham expected to head the field.
There will be mighty scrap behind them, as the Francis brothers, Mark and Richard, from Donaghadee, Banbridge’s Paul Thompson, Lisburn’s Max Allen, Strangford’s Ethan Campbell and Bangor’s Jonathan Smith could be in contention to fill the podium.
Sixteen Junior Minis are entered for two races, and these youngsters are as quick as their elders in the Kirkistown Minis.
Kyle Irvine, from Carrickfergus, will be at the sharp end, as will Logan Hoey, from Dundalk, and T.J. Taaffe, from Ardee. Scottish drivers Jacob Lee and Kieran Stewart will be making their Kirkistown debuts.
The Modi-5-Cup for Mazda MX5s has its usual good field. Everyone will be chasing Dundonald driver Craig Ewing, who is in superb form, and the closest to him should be Rob Kennedy, from Crossmaglen.
Paul McAlinden, from Loughinisland, is getting quicker with every outing and should be troubling the podium.
For the second and last time this season, the incredible Superkarts are back for three races, showcasing themselves as the quickest machines on the day.
In the 250cc class, Brian Jones, from Craigavon, Liam Fox, from Moira, and Alan Crossen, from Comber, all boast plenty of winning experience.
While Armagh’s Scott Greenaway looks to be the man to beat in the 125cc class. Comber’s Stuart Coey and Dollingstown’s Philip Mills will be trying to do just that.
In the Kirkistown Mini Coopers, Taylor Frizzell, from Ballyclare, Mark and Paul Stewart, from Belfast, James Turkington, from Portadown, and the Gilmore Twins, Darren, from Lisnaskea, and Craig, from Ballyhalbert, will all be chasing the wins.
Hot on their heels will be Newtownards’ Ryan Hogg and Newtownabbey’s John Williamson. Unknown quantities, who may well spring a surprise, are Barry O’Hara, from Killybegs, and Kyle Quinn, from Robinstown.
Qualifying starts at 8.45am on Saturday, with the first race set to get underway at 10.25am.
