THERE was a relaxed atmosphere at Saturday’s race meeting at Kirkistown thanks to the presence of pre-1955 racing cars, including the iconic Austin Sevens.
While friendly camaraderie was in full display, the racing remained fiercely competitive.
The first race of the day featured visiting H.R.C.A. cars. Bernard Foley (Blackrock) got a strong start in his Crosslé 42S but retired after contact with Jackie Cochrane’s Sunbeam Tiger at Colonial One. Gareth Thompson (Dungannon) led in his Ginetta G10 until Holywood’s John Benson overtook on lap 10 to win. Mark Russell (Belfast) finished third, with Cochrane recovering to fourth. In their second outing, Thompson won, with Russell second and Foley third.
Race two marked the debut of the Pre-1955 cars. Killinchy driver Andy Johnson led from lap one in his 1932 2.6 Alfa Romeo, holding off David Wylie (Belfast) in a 1928 2.0 Frazer Nash. Simon Brien (Holywood) took third in his 1954 3.4 Jaguar XK120. In race two, Wylie and Johnson swapped the lead nearly every lap before Wylie clinched victory. Brien was again third.
The Formula Ford 1600s had a six-car field. Ronan Doherty (Dunloy) dominated both races, while Philip Harris (Ballynahinch) took both Pre-90 wins. Ashley McCulla (Lisburn) and Allan McBurney (Donaghcloney) battled for third in race one, with McCulla edging it. Henry Campbell (Ballymena) took third in race two.
Austin Sevens may have been the slowest cars on the day, but they thrilled spectators. Jack Brien and Paul Armstrong fought hard in race one before Armstrong’s car faltered. Angus Johnson chased Brien to the flag, with Ali Carver recovering to third. The second race saw the same podium finish.
Roadsports, GTs, and Libre Saloons ran in combined races. In race one, Jim Larkham (Newtownabbey) led until his car stopped, giving Mike Ward (Youghal) the win. Foley finished second and Benson third. Saintfield’s Brendan Casement won the GT class ahead of John Newport (Loughgall) and Matthew McCord (Cookstown).
In race two, Larkham led from start to finish. Ward and Foley completed the podium. Casement again won the GT class, followed by Alexander Preston (Loughgall) and Newport.
The Modi-5-Cup Mazdas offered the largest and most competitive grids. In race one, Craig Ewing (Dundonald) led early before mechanical issues. Francis Allen (Moira) overcame a jump-start penalty to win ahead of Damian Moran (Newry) and Gregory Radcliffe (Banbridge). Race two had a reversed grid, with Ewing on pole and unchallenged. Allen charged from ninth to second, Moran from seventh to third.
In the Fiesta class, New Yorker Aidan Mulready and Neville Anderson (Banbridge) had a thrilling duel. Anderson narrowly won race one with Mulready taking race two after early lead changes. Conor Mulholland (Newtownabbey) secured third in both races.
A lunchtime parade of vintage marques added to the charm. The next meeting takes place on Saturday, July 26, with another full programme.
