Twin Trophies And A Top Class Entry At Final 2025 Kirkistown Meeting

THIS Saturday 27th September brings us to the final Car and Superkart race meeting of the year at Kirkistown Racing Circuit. And what a spectacular meeting it should be!

Two great trophies are up for grabs. The Martin Donnelly Trophy will be awarded to the winner of the second FF1600 race and the Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy will go to the winner of the second Formula Vee race.

There are 19 drivers entered for the Formula Ford 1600 races. That is the biggest FF1600 entry at any circuit in Ireland this year.

The field is brimming with talent. Previous winners include Niall Murray, from Dublin, Noel Robinson, from Portadown, Jordan Dempsey, from Mullingar, Jason Smyth, from Celbridge, and David McCullough, from Ballymena.

These guys will have to deal with an in-form Ronan Doherty, from Dunloy, as well as the very rapid Jordan Kelly, from Buncrana.

Although hampered by much older machinery, Alan Davidson, from Randalstown, will be right there to capitalise on any mistakes made by the men mentioned above and he is not the only one who will be in that position.

Ian Campbell, from London, Dave Parks, from Ballina, Robbie Parks, from Bray, Andrew Noble, from Dublin, and Trevor Delaney, from Carrickmacross, are all very quick drivers and already used to success. The Martin Donnelly Trophy race is not to be missed!

With regards to the FF1600 2025 Championship, Ronan Doherty already has that sewn up. However, the C class, for cars built between 1983 and 1993, is tight between Philip Harris, from Ballynahinch, and Henry Campbell, from Ballymena.

The Formula Vee entry is slightly down on previous years, with only 16 cars.

This might be a sign of the attrition due to accidents in recent races at Mondello. However, it will still be very close at the front. Watch out for Conor Melia, from Lucan, and Kieran Hannan, Eamonn Thornton and Gavin Buckley, who are all from Dublin.

They all put on a great show at their last appearance at Kirkistown, in July. As well as the famous Emerson Fittipaldi Trophy being awarded to the winner, the top finishing A, B and C drivers will each get a new set of tyres, sponsored by Bill Adair Competition Tyres.

Aidan Mulready, from New York, has already clinched the 2025 Kirkistown Fiesta Championship. However, Neville Anderson, from Banbridge, will be trying to get another win to finish off a very good season.

The mid field racing has been close this year and expect no less this time from Grace McCallion, from Derry, Stephen Walker, from Helensburgh, and Michael Mulholland, from Carrickfergus.

Combined with the Fiestas will be the Kirkistown Mini Coopers. Once again, the 2025 Championship has been decided in favour of Ballyclare’s Taylor Frizzel, but the racing should still be good between Frizzell, Darren Gilmore, from Lisnaskea, and the Stewart brothers, Mark and Paul, from Belfast.

Close on the heels of these drivers will be Ryan Hogg, from Newtownards, Jack Irvine, from Carrickfergus, and the dark horse, John Newport, from Loughgall.

The Roadsports have a combined grid with the Global GT Lights. Here the 2025 Championship is still to be decided. Mike Ward, from Youghall, has 136 points. Jim Larkham, from Newtownabbey, has 122 points. There are 44 points available at this meeting. Jim’s nephew, Steven, from Carrickfergus, is often quicker than both of them!

If Jim was to win both races and Mike got a second and a third, he would have 162 points against Mike’s 163. However, there is 1 point for fastest lap in each race and 1 point for pole in each race!

Add into the mix Bernard Foley, from Blackrock, John Benson, from Holywood, William Crosbie, from Dublin, and Arnie Black, from Banbridge, all in quick Crosslés. Could it be any tighter?

There are 6 Global GT Lights entered and it is hard to pick a winner. Strangford driver, Ethan Campbell, is certainly a contender, as is Peter “Max” Drennan, from Tara.

Roisín Sweeney, from Naas, is getting closer to the front every time she goes out and Charlie Linnane, from Kilmacanogue, can never be ruled out.

Patrick Corbett leads the 2025 Libre Saloons Championship but, at the time of writing, is not entered.

That allows Gavin Kilkey, from Derry, who currently lies 6 points behind Corbett, a clear run.

The GT class is a different situation. Alexander Preston, from Loughgall, is leading the 2025 GT Championship by 9 points over Matthew McCord, who has not yet entered.

In third place, a further 10 points behind is Barney Casement, from Belfast, who has entered. However, Bob Cameron, from Meath, and Paul Power, from Hilltown, are both capable of winning top points

Dundonald driver, Craig Ewing, has already sealed the 2025 Modi-5-Cup Championship for Mazda MX5s.

However, second place is being hotly disputed by Damian Moran, from Dundalk, Francie Allen, from Moira and Robert McAllister, from Antrim.

There are only 6 Championship points between them. There will be battles right through the 10 car field.

There are 14 Superkarts entered and these will be the fastest machines on the circuit all day. Top of the 250cc class is Aaron Newell, from Ballygowan, yet to be beaten at Kirkistown this year!

Trying hard to do just that will be Liam Fox, from Moira, Brian Jones, from Craigavon, and Richard Dewart, from Waringstown, among others.

Alan Crossen, is making a rare appearance and if his kart is sorted, will be at the sharp end. In the 125cc class, Scott Greenaway, from Armagh, Gavin Dewart, from Waringstown, Philip Mills, from Dollingstown, Alan Witherow, from Newtownards, Stephen Drury, from Grangebellew, and Noel Lindsay, from Hillsborough, are all worth watching.

Following the success of their first outing back in June, the Austin Seven Assemblage requested another go!

This time there will be 8 of these historic vehicles. They are not fast but their drivers make up for that by sheer enthusiasm and the racing can be very close.

Although all in the same class, there are two distinct body shells. The “Chummys” are less streamlined, with large screens and higher profiles.

There are 3 of these. They are being piloted by Charlotte De Montmorency Wright, from Exeter, Rose De Montmorency Wright, from Market Harborough and Dermot Johnson, from Holywood.

The more “racy” shells are known as Ulsters, or in the case of Bangor driver, Ali Carver’s mount, an “Alternative Ulster”! The other Ulsters will be driven by Paul Armstrong, from Belfast, Chris Chilcott, from Stonehaven, George Johnson, from Killinchy and Simon Brien, from Holywood.

To add to the entertainment on Saturday, the Northern Ireland Mazda MX5 Owners Club will have a “Show ‘N Shine” display near the Clubhouse.

This is a meeting not to be missed. Tickets on the gate are £15 per person. Under 16s get in free.