When Super Sundays ruled the tarmac at Bishopscourt

When Super Sundays ruled the tarmac at Bishopscourt

10 February 2021

THE Super Sunday Series that got underway just as the Valley Auto Cross came to a conclusion after many years of racing at Ballykinlar, proved to be very popular with drivers and fans from all over Northern Ireland.

It took place first at the main Bishopscourt race circuit and Nutts Corner raceway, and later at Nutts Corner and the airfield circuit, near Ballyhornan.

Back in 2002, Crossgar’s Conor Bell was crowned the Irish champion in the very popular high-speed Super Saloon class.

However in 2003, he had only a total of nine points, as Craig Davison led the title chase by seven points over the very popular Crossgar driver Paul Jones. Killyleagh’s Kevin McCormick was third.

Among the Blue Roof drivers were Loughinisland veteran Brian McKay, Hilltown’s Paul Parr, Gavin Smyth of Drumaness, Ballynahinch’s Ralph Jess, Andy McGreevy from Crossgar, and Saintfield’s Jimmy Dougan.

Dougan was the reigning Irish champion and, despite his Gold Roof status, he was again leading the single seater title race with a total of 283 points, followed by John Truesdale.

Other locals in the class were Marcel Heaney from Ballyhornan, Banbridge’s Kenny Smyth, and Stanley Watson of Lisburn.

The standard saloons were always well-supported, and among the locals were Crossgar’s James Mullan, Damian Carr, Paul Killen, Brian Ewing from Ballynahinch, Tony Tilley and Noel Johnston — the most recent clerk of the course at the Ulster Grand Prix.

PJ Milligan of Ardglass and the late Eric Lyons, who drove despite having been in a wheelchair since a motorbike crash at Dundrod in the 1970 Ulster Grand Prix, and Michael Kearney of Loughinisland.

At this stage of the series, the Fiesta Challenge still had a good entry. However, it was to fade away, having never had many local drivers taking part. However, two drivers still to the fore at the Kirkistown meetings are the father-and-son duo of Steven and Anthony Traub, from Belfast.

It is sad to record that Mrs Bernie Finnegan, who was such a big part of the series not only on race days but throughout the organisation, has since passed away at an all too early age. She was a great lady to know and much liked by all the drivers who participated in the series.