Aghadowey Raceway gets major facelift

Aghadowey Raceway which is set for a major facelift before reopening its gates on Easter Monday.

The announcement by Davy McCall of DMC Race Promotions means a major expansion to their racing activities for the coming year. A multi-year lease has been secured on the Aghadowey track and a full season of racing will commence on Easter Monday beginning with the high powered National Hot Rods.

This will run alongside their existing venue at Tullyroan Oval, which boasts some of the finest facilities in the UK.

This is indeed fantastic news for race fans, especially for the sports competitors and supporters in the north west which will see the return of the premier racing classes to the track affectionately known as ‘the home of hot rod racing’. Local drivers Matthew Nicholl in his Ninja Kart, along with Gary O’Neill, Darrell Hanna, Graham Young, and Samuel Murphy are just a few of those who will be looking forward to taking to the circuit again.

The oval track is steeped in the history of stock car racing with many of our country’s former world champions including Ormond Christie and Davy Evans having previously named it as one of their favourite race venues during the sports heydays back in the 70’s, and 80’s. A more recent attempt to bring racing back to the venue probably failed as the blue riband series the National Hot Rods, along with two litre Hot Rods, two of the most popular classes, were unable to compete there.

However with a major resurgence in the sport over the past few years, probably due to our successes, including current world champions John Christie (National Hot rods) and Shane Murray (2Ltr Hot rods) as well as previous world champion Glenn Bell (National Hot rods and Stock rods) and National Champion Adam Hylands (2 Ltr Hot rods) all leading the way, it is fitting that once again top class racing will return.

Major work is already underway at the Aghadowey site. The track, which itself remains in very good condition, will be realigned and widened considerably on the bends, with a new racewall also being built right around the circuit. A brand new service road across the infield, similar to that at Tullyroan, has already been built, and a new drainage system is being installed too. Also in the plans will be new lighting, new PA system and new toilets for the venue.

A major rebranding has also taken place, with the promotion now known as DMC Race Promotions in association with Spedeworth Motorsports, racing at Tullyroan Oval and Aghadowey Oval.

In the coming days the website will undergo a full revamp, including new logos, layout and information.

Both circuits will see some excellent events during the action packed season ahead, with the highlight being the 2.0 Hot Rods Championship of the World at Tullyroan Oval in July.

The September Speedweekend, featuring the National Hot Rods British Championship, the Stock Rods European Championship and the Superstox National Championship will now be staged across both venues.

The ProStocks European Championship will be staged at Aghadowey Oval in late August, whilst the National Hot Rods are sure to be a headline act when they return to the venue on Easter Monday. Shamwreck 2014 for the National Bangers is also set to be another great crowd-puller at Tullyroan Oval in mid May!

Promotor Davy McCall said: “We are delighted to bring top class racing back to Aghadowey. Since news of our project at Aghadowey Oval recently leaked out, we have been contacted by a huge number of drivers from the former 1600 Lightning Rods class run by the previous promoters at the venue.

“We have now agreed to run a similar class during 2014, racing at all the Aghadowey meetings and also a couple of times at Tullyroan.

“The full specifications for the class will be agreed following a driver’s meeting in the very near future, and the formula will be known as ‘1600 Thunder Rods’ to avoid any confusion with the mainstream Lightning Rods division.”

DMC Race Promotions would also like to categorically assure our drivers that any pay to race system is not something that is on our agenda in any shape or form, as certain recent rumours from elsewhere have claimed.

The 2014 season is shaping up to be one of the best we have ever staged - more meetings than ever before, more major championships than ever before and more action than ever before!!