Massive World Championship Speedweekend at Nuttscorner Oval
The biggest event on the Ulster short oval racing calendar takes place on Saturday and Sunday July 23rd/24th at Nuttscorner Oval, when the venue stages the 2011 World Championship for the 2 Litre Hot Rods. A star studded entry will gather to chase the coveted World Champions crown and the right to wear the gold roof for the next 12 months. A full weekend of top quality racing is in store, with the British Championship for Lightning Rods also a major attraction.
Topping the entry for the World Championship is defending champion Jason Wilks from Hertfordshire. Jason is a regular at Northern Ireland staged events now, and will be keen to successfully defend his title. He will face stiff opposition from the locals though, led by recently crowned European Champion Denver McLean from Dungannon. Denver’s Euro success earlier this month in Ipswich will be a real confidence boost for him, and the same can be said of young Randalstown charger Shane Murray, who back in June captured the National Championship crown.
2010 Irish Champion Derek Martin is another Dungannon man aiming to take the glory, whilst Portadown’s Wayne Woolsey is sure to be a favourite having been a double World Championship winner in 2008 and 2009.
Other visitors include English Points Champ Will Reed from Norfolk, and top UK lady racer Samantha Holland from Brighton, along with Richard Poulter, Dale Atkins, Charlie Jowers, Damon Wellman and Andy Harris. A full entry of forty cars will contest qualifying heats and the World Final over the weekend.
The Lightning Rods British Championship will see Antrim driver Stephen Emerson defend the title he won last year, and he will have Great Yarmouth-based World Champion Lee Skoyles to beat as he makes his first ever Northern Ireland appearance. Harry Skoyles is also making the trip from England, and his recent win in the European Challenge Cup will mark him down as a favourite for sure. Midlands favourite Andy King will also be keen to take the crown along with fellow English drivers Barry Limer and Paul Blackman, whilst the Republic of Ireland will be represented by Eamon Byrne, Mark Gleeson and former local favourite Francis Rafferty.
The ProStocks class always produce exciting racing with contact galore, and this year they contest their Irish Open Championship at Speedweekend. Dungannon’s Ryan Abernethy defends his title and a travelling contingent from Scotland will be led by star driver Craig Jones.
The ultra fast National Hot Rods, the stars of tomorrow in the Junior Productions and three-wheeler Reliant Robins are also on the 30+ race programme, alongside the crowd pleasing National Bangers who contest their King of Krash title in what is sure to see a wreckfest on Sunday!
Racing begins on Saturday evening at 5.30pm, with Sunday’s action getting underway at 1pm. For more information visit www.nuttscorneroval.com
