Kirkstown Racing Circuit
The Ulster Trophy To Be Awarded At Kirkistown!
The Five Hundred Motor Racing Club of Ireland, in conjunction with the Ulster Automobile Club, are going to award one of the most prestigious trophies in Irish motorsport, The Ulster Trophy, to the winner of the third race for the National Formula Ford 1600 Championship, at the upcoming Kirkistown Car and Superkart Races this Friday 28th and Saturday 29th July.
The Ulster Trophy dates from before WWII and has been won by many of the greatest motor racing drivers, including Prince Bira of Siam. He triumphed in the first motor race in the UK after the end of the war. It was held on the Ballyclare Circuit in County Antrim and has been immortalised on British Pathé News. https://youtu.be/ZH_Nec71BiI . The Ulster Trophy is also the only Irish motor racing trophy to have been won by a current Formula One World Champion. This took place at the Dundrod Circuit on 2nd June 1951. Giuseppe Farina had won the inaugural Formula One World Championship in 1950 and was entered in the non-championship Formula One race at Dundrod. He took pole position, set fastest lap and won the race in his Alfa Romeo 159.
The 500MRCI are very grateful to the UAC, who actually own the Ulster Trophy.
Qualifying for this bumper race meeting will take place on Friday afternoon and the first of three National Championship FF1600 races will end proceedings on the day. Numerous Irish drivers are doing well in this championship and will be in action. Jordan Kelly, from Buncrana in County Donegal, is currently fourth in the standings. Brandon McCaughan, from Ballycastle in County Antrim, is one place behind him. Morgan Quinn, from Kill in County Kildare, is seventh and Donal Downey, from Naas in County Kildare, is ninth. Downey is leading the Rookie Class by a country mile and is also leading the Independents Cup by a massive margin. Many of our regular drivers will be relishing having a tilt at the National drivers. These include Dave Parks, from Ballina, Ivor McCullough, from Ballymena, and The Randalstown Rocket, Alan Davidson.
The combined Roadsports, N.I.7evens and Globals race has a great grid of twenty one cars! At the front should be Newtownabbey driver, Jim Larkham, in his Radical PR6. Missing at the time of writing is his nephew, Steven, who is leading the Roadsports Championship. Holywood driver, John Benson (Crosslé 37S), and Youghal driver, Mike Ward (Radical PR6) will keep Jim honest. In the N.I. 7evens, Newtownards driver, Graham Moore, has been unbeatable this season. However, Donaghadee brothers, Richard and Mark Francis, along with Paul Thompson, from Banbridge, among others, will form the chasing pack. The Globals have a talent filled grid which includes Jack Finlay, from Ballyclare, Richard Finlay, from Larne, and Charlie Linnane, from Kilmacanogue. An interesting driver to look out for in this class is Ulick Burke, from Athlone. He was a top man in I.T.C.C. a few years back and knows what it takes to win.
The Kirkistown Minis, a new class for 2023, has produced its best entry yet, with an excellent grid of fourteen cars. It is close at the top in this class. Kian O’Brien, from Dundalk, will definitely be in the mix, along with Jack Conachy and Hugh McEvoy, both from Newry. Peter Bennett, from Tandragee, won in June and can’t be ruled out. There will be close battles right down the field. This class should provide two of the most entertaining races of the weekend.
Fourteen Superkarts will take to the grid for three races. The 250cc class should be closely fought out by Craigavon driver, Brian Jones, and Alan Crossen, from Newtownards. The drivers who could provide an upset include Bangor’s Colin Menary, Moira’s Liam Fox and Newtownards driver, Ross Witherow, among others. In the 125cc class, Aaron Newell, from Ballygowan, is on form, as is Alan Witherow, from Millisle. Hillsborough evergreen, Noel Lindsay will be snapping at their tailpipes. In the first Superkart race the 125cc drivers will be competing for the Terry Wilkinson Trophy. In the second race the 250cc drivers will be competing for the Dickie Curran Trophy and in the final race everyone will be competing for the K Plate which denotes the Kirkistown Champion.
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The combined Modi-5-Cup Mazda MX5s and Kirkistown Fiestas make up an equally split sixteen car grid. In the Modi-5-Cup, expect close action between Francis Allen, from Moira, David Cousins, from Ballywalter, and Rob Kennedy, from Crossmaglen. In the Fiestas, Megan Campbell, from Strangford, will be renewing her rivalry with Portadown’s Michael Graham.
The Saloons and GTs have eleven cars on the grid. Both classes should provide great battles. In the Saloons, Gavin Stanfield, from Cabra, makes a welcome return in his incredibly quick Subaru Impreza. Peter Baxter, from Lurgan, will be his main rival, in his rapid Seat Supercopa. Gareth Blaine, from Downpatrick, will be keeping them honest in his less powerful Supercopa. In the GTs, look out for Warrenpoint driver and current GT Champion, Paul McAlinden.
Two Southern Irish classes are visiting.
The H.R.C.A. are fielding ten cars. There is a great variety and the results may depend on the weather! Armagh driver, Jackie Cochrane’s Sunbeam Tiger has oodles of power but is a handful in the wet. John Benson’s Crosslé 37S is not as powerful but is a more compliant beast in poor grip situations. Similar may be said about Blackrock driver, Bernard Foley’s Crosslé 42S.
The Formula Sheanes make up the final class. Eight drivers are making the trip. Keith Hogg, from Santry, and Vinny Keogh, from Rathcoole, Dublin, should be disputing the top step of the podiums.
Qualifying starts at 1:00pm on Friday and the first BRSCC Formula Ford 1600 race will take place at 4:30pm.
On Saturday, action begins at 9:00am with a shakedown session, quickly followed by qualifying sessions for the Superkarts and H.R.C.A. The first race is for Formula Sheane at 9:40am.
