THE 2025 motor racing season gets underway at Kirkistown on Saturday.
This is probably the smallest meeting of the year, with Formula Sheane being the only visiting class. However, the main protagonists from last year, Keith Hogg and Vinny Keogh, both from Dublin, and Richard Kearney, from Nurney, are all back. A further five drivers make up the grid.
Formula Ford 1600 have the best grid at the meeting, with 13 cars entered. Ballymena’s David McCullough is looking to get his Championship bid under way, particularly in the absence of 2024 Champion, Jason Smyth.
However, he will face strong opposition from Morgan Quinn, from Kill, Dave Parks, from Ballina, and Ronan Doherty, from Dunloy. The two races for these cars should make excellent viewing.
The Roadsports, NI7s, GTs and Saloons have a combined grid of nine very different cars.
Arnie Black, from Banbridge, should be quickest in his Crosslé 37s but Peter Baxter, from Lurgan, should be close, in his Seat. Don’t bet against Graham Moore, from Newtownards, to be quickest among the NI7s, although the best racing in this field will include his opposition, Richard and Mark Francis, from Donaghadee, and Trevor Allen, from Lisburn, among others.
The Kirkistown Fiestas have a small but international field, including Aidan Mulready, from New York. He is an unknown quantity here and he will face tough opposition from current Fiesta Champion, Neville Anderson, from Banbridge, and Conor Mulholland, from Newtownabbey. Strangford driver, Megan Campbell, is making her first appearance since her spectacular crash last season.
The Modi-5-Cup Mazda MX5s are combined with the Kirkistown Mini Coopers. Current Mazda Champion, Craig Ewing, from Dundonald, will face stiff opposition from Rob Kennedy, from Culloville.
In the Mini Coopers, Darren Gilmore, from Lisnaskea, may have the edge over his brother Craig, from Ballyhalbert. Taylor Frizzell, from Ballyclare, is making a comeback but his car is not quite the way he wants it.
Dean Catherwood, from Garvagh, is new and an unknown quantity. Unfortunately, his car has had some teething issues in the past few weeks but, hopefully, it will be strong, come the races.
Qualifying will start at 9:10am, with the first race scheduled for 11:15am.
