PACKED PROGRAMME FOR KIRKISTOWN MEETING

THIS coming Saturday (April 27) will see the second race meeting of the 2024 season at Kirkistown Race Circuit. 

All of the domestic championships are featured, including the amazing Superkarts. There is a good entry in Formula Ford 1600: Ballymena driver David McCullough will be trying to get the better of Jason Smith (Celbridge), who won both races in March.

Ronan Doherty, from Dunloy, will also be at the very sharp end, as will Jordan Kelly, from Buncrana. Ballymount’s Stephen O’Connor has been putting in lots of testing laps recently and is now going very well. This all augurs for an excellent couple of races!

The Formula Sheanes are visiting this time. Watch out for Vinny Keogh, from Rathcoole, and Keith Hogg (Swords), who will be renewing their rivalry.

There are 13 Superkarts entered across the two classes. In the 250cc class, Brian Jones, from Craigavon, is certainly in form at the moment. Chasing him hard will be Aaron Newell (Ballygowan) and Liam Fox (Moira), among quite a few others. In the 125cc class, Comber’s Stuart Coey will be the man to beat.

2023 champion Michael Graham, from Portadown, makes a return to the Kirkistown Fiestas, which will give Megan Campbell (Strangford( something to think about. Paul Larkham, from Larne, will be hoping to repeat his winning form from March, while Stephen Walker (Helensburgh), seems to have found another gear this year.

There is another good field of Modi-5-Cup Mazdas. It should be frantic at the front and any one of six drivers could win. These include Francie Allen (Moira), David Cousins (Ballywalter), Damian Moran (Newry), Rob Kennedy (Crossmaglen) and Craig Ewing (Dundonald).  Snapping at their heels will be Bangor’s John Stewart among others.

The Kirkistown Minis are fielding nine cars. Peter Bennett, from Tandragee, is always a man to beat. Those most likely to do so will be Lisnaskea driver Darren Gilmore, his brother Craig, from Ballyhalbert, Taylor Frizzell (Ballyclare) and the Stewart brothers, Paul and Mark, from Belfast. 

Downpatrick’s Finn Blaine has had to wait until his 16th birthday passed earlier this month to make his debut at this meeting.

There is a large combined field of Sports Cars. These include Globals, NI 7evens and Roadsports. The fastest will be the Roadsports where Mike Ward, from Youghal, will be the man with the target on his back. In the Globals, Navan’s Peter Drennan, Larne’s Richard Finlay and Cameron Fenton (Greystones) will be worth watching. In the NI 7evens, keep an eye on Strangford’s Ethan Campbell, who is getting quicker with every race.

Unless there is a major upset, Gavin Stanfield, from Cabra, should dominate a small Saloon field. Qualifying starts at 8.45am with the first race due to take place at 10.30am.