Championship triple bill at Ballymena Raceway this Friday

Topping the bill is the National Championship for the 1300 Stock Cars.

This formula was only introduced to the province at the start of the year and this will be the first major championship to be staged in Northern Ireland for the class.

Ballinderry’s Dan Feeney and Antrim racer William Stewart have shared the final wins at Raceway this season, with Michael Logan, Richard Taylor and Ballymena’s David Reynolds also expected to go well.

The very popular Group Two Lightning Rod class will contest their 2012 Irish Championship and another big entry of cars is anticipated.

Daniel Norris is the defending champion, but the Ballymena man has his work cut out to retain his crown. Cullybackey teenager Curtis Greer has displayed excellent speed this year in his Peugeot 306 and has already collected the Challenge Cup and Grand National Championship honours.

Liscinda Smyth has been in red hot form during recent outings and will be a real danger along with Broughshane duo Jason Clyde and Freddie Fleck. Aaron McMillan, Kenny Carson, Stewart Nicholl and Noel Hazlett are some of the other top contenders in what is always one of the most keenly contested events on the calendar.

The BriSCA F2 Stock Cars complete the triple bill of championship races as they contest their King of the North event.

Former European Champion Craig McConnell waltzed away with the Coral Cup on their previous Raceway outing and will be looking for more silverware on Friday evening. Antrim’s Christopher Kincaid won the DK Race Technology Series at Raceway earlier in the season and can never be discounted along with Track Champion Conor Hughes.

The remainder of Friday’s action is provided by the National Hot Rod and Stock Rod classes. The National Hot Rod drivers continue their World Qualifying Series at Raceway on Friday evening. World and National Champion Glenn Bell tops the entry, with Keith Martin, Gary Woolsey and Stewart Doak also expected to figure in proceedings.

Defending Northern Ireland Champion John Christie is struggling with a broken collarbone at present and his misfortune provides an opportunity for the like of Adam Maxwell, Davy McKay, Thomas Dilly, Mark Heatrick and Ian McReynolds to make a real challenge for one of the five qualifying positions on offer.

The first race at the CRH Designs sponsored fixture commences in the Ballymena Showgrounds at 7:15pm.