Visitors add to the expectation of a great opening meeting At Kirkistown!

This Saturday 23rd March sees the beginning of the 2024 car racing season in Northern Ireland, at Kirkistown Racing Circuit.

The Scottish Mini Coopers are making a return trip to the venue where they always entertain. Expect fifteen of these highly competitive cars to feature in three separate races. Carrickfergus driver, Jack Irvine, will be upholding local pride. Oly Mortimer, Chad Lyttle and Ian Monroe will be keeping him honest.

The biggest grid on the day belongs to the visiting Formula Vee single seaters. There are twenty three entered! Interestingly, a few of last year’s top runners are missing, such as past champions, Anthony Cross, Colm Blackburn and Dan Polley. However, the usual frenzy at the front will still be present. Expect fireworks from Jack Byrne, from Tinahley, Gavin Buckley, from Dublin and “The Dunloy Demon!”, Ronan Doherty, who was amazing in 2023.

It will be great to see a good Formula Ford 1600 grid. Currently, there are a dozen entered. 2023 Champion, David McCullough, from Ballymena, will be renewing his rivalry with Ballina driver, Dave Parks. Jordan Kelly, from Buncrana, will be one to watch, as he is well capable of being up with these two. Morgan Quinn, from Kill, is always quick, while Brazilian driver, Isaac Canto, knows his way around Kirkistown every bit as well as the locals.

The Modi-5-Cup Mazda MX5s will have their own races. A good grid of ten cars are entered. 2023 Champion, Francie Allen, from Moira, will once again, be the man to beat. David Cousins, from Ballywalter, will be a very close rival, as will Rob Kennedy, from Crossmaglen. Watch out for Damian Moran, from Newry, who has a new car. He was quick last year in the old one.

The Kirkistown Minis have a disappointingly low entry of seven cars. However, the racing should be close. Watch out for the Stewart brothers, Paul and Mark, from Belfast and the Gilmore brothers, Craig, from Ballyhalbert, and Darren, from Lisnaskea. All four are potential winners, as is Peter Bennett, from Tandragee. Dark horses are Taylor Frizzell, from Ballyclare, and Newtownards pilot, Ryan Hogg, who have both been putting in the miles at Kirkistown during the off season.

Running with the Kirkistown Minis are the Kirkistown Fiestas. With the absence of past champions Michael and Derek Graham, the field is wide open. However, 2023 Runner Up, Megan Campbell, from Strangford, has to be the driver–to–beat.

Trying hard will be Neville Anderson, from Banbridge and Stephen Walker, from Helensburg. Paul Larkham, from Larne, was getting steadily faster last season, as was Henry White, from Richhill. Grace McCallion, from Derry, had a part season in 2023 and might take a little time to get dialled in, but she will be in the mix later in the year.

Interesting

The Libre Saloons have a small but very interesting field. 2023 Champion, Gareth Blaine is missing. His main rival, Peter Baxter, from Lurgan is entered in his Seat Supercopa. So too is the man who beat them both, on occasion, in 2023, Gavin Stanfield, from Cabra, in his Subaru Impreza.

Returning to the field for the first time in a number of years is multiple Saloon Champion, Stephen Traub, from Belfast, driving a Honda Civic. Add to these, Derry driver, Gavin Kilkey, in another Seat Supercopa, Ralph Jess, from Ballynahinch, in a BMW, and David McMinn, from Kells, in his incredibly quick diesel Seat Ibiza and you have what should be two great races!

The Roadsports and Globals have a combined grid and will feature their now customary rolling starts. 2023 Roadsports Champion, Steven Larkham, from Ballycarry, will be the man to beat. His Uncle Jim, from Newtownabbey, will give him a hard time, as will Mike Ward, from Youghal. Depending on how well his car goes, veteran Arnie Black, from Banbridge, is easily capable of mixing it with these guys. In the Globals, Charlie Linnane, from Kilmacanogue, Ulick Burke, from Athlone, and Peter Drennan, from Navan, are all ones to watch.

Qualifying starts at 8:45 am with the first race around 10:30am.

The Pit Lane Café is open most of the day and the bar is open from Midday.

Admission is £15 for over fifteens and car parking is free.