Lee Best driving his dads car for the first time was also magnificent leading the final until the last bend. Best had built up a good lead but a race stoppage saw all his hard work disappear.

At the restart Best was again away into the lead but Emerson had his sights set on the win and it was long till a super side by side battle began, Best kept Emerson at bay until the last lap when Emerson swept past on the final bend to win the best race of the night.

Best was a very worthy runner up with Ricky Shaw and Davy Hearst next to finish. Emerson piped Best to the post for honours in heat two but Best did carry the chequered flag in the first heat winning ahead of Francis Rafferty and Neil Haughian.

Shane Murray won his first 2ltr Hot Rod Final in turbulent conditions. It was and action packed final with stoppages and black crosses in abundance.

Adam Hylands lead away ahead of Derek Martin and Ryan Abernethy. Within a couple of laps Abernethy spun out bringing out the red flags and there was a complete re start. Hylands led away for the second time with Best keen to get past him.

After a few more laps Martin caught Hylands and spun him around which got him a black cross, Another stoppage was called to remove Hylands car from the racing line.

Best took the front form the green flag as Mark Madill moved up to challenge the leader. For the second time the leader was spun out in a fifty fifty situation, Madill was shown the black cross and another race stoppage was required to get Martins car removed to safety.

The final restart left Madill in the lead ahead of a fast emerging Murray, Glenn McDowell and Philip Beatty. When the chequered flag went out Madill crossed the line first but was adjudged to have cause Martins demise and was duly docked two places.

Murray was elevated to first taking his maiden win in the class in the ex Davy McCall car. McDowell was also moved up taking the runner up spot.

Madill, Beatty, Abernethy and Denver McLean filled the placings down to sixth with another eleven cars completing the distance. Martin was at his best recording his first win in the class and then repeating the feat in the second race.

Rab Stewart reverted back to his old Reliant Robin car and duly recorded a hat trick of wins. Stewart didn't have it all his own way and was pushed hard for supremacy by Irish Champion Ian Bolton in two of the races.

In the final it was Stewart who took up the lead in the first quarter of the race with Bolton on his rear bumper and both battled it out all the way to the flag with Stewart hanging on to signal that the double ex Irish Champion is back to form.

Alastair Best kept up the pace to stay in third ahead of Jimmy Beattie and James Logan.

The first heat it was Stewart who powered through to win ahead of J Logan and Michael Logan. In heat two it was a battle royal between Stewart and Bolton with Stewart taking the honours. Beattie and Best were the next finishers

Chris Hamill took his second final win in a row in the Junior Production Car Final.

Ryan Magee headed the pack for over quarter of the race but it was Hamill who was moving up quickly and managed to overhaul the leader and go on to a second success in a row. Kyle Beattie came through well with a bit more aggression to finish in a fine runner up position.

Magee had to settle for third ahead of Tim Hazlett, Brendan McConnell and Marc Logan. Derek McMillan collected the chequered for his first win in the class and Magee had similar success in heat two.

No Saturday Night racing this week but will be back with a bang on Sunday, April 27 with the Shamwreck National Banger spectacular with over 80 of the top hitters from all over the UK and Ireland booked in to race.

BBC TV are back to film the action with a 2pm start time.

NATIONAL HOT ROD WORLD QUALIFIER ROUND 13

Mark Heatrick was at his best at Ballymena Raceway to chalk up a double success of wins and was runner in the other world qualifying heat in the National Hot Rods.

Heatrick nipped into the lead in heat one after a brush with Tommy Maxwell. A shower of rain came on and the track soon got rather slippery.

Ronnie McMillan was now in his element as he rounded Heatrick and went on to win easy with Heatrick a clear second. Stewart Doak the wet track expert came in third. Another quick off the line start in heat two was all that was needed to send Heatrick to the head off the pack and was never headed.

With the track drying out McMillan had no answer on this occasion as Heatrick went on to carry the chequered flag. McMillan was a good second and John Christie finished third.

Heatrick made a hat trick of quick starts to sweep into the lead in the final with McMillan and Keith Martin tucked in behind him. There was a long train behind that with Christie Gary Woolsey, Doak and Davy McKay all keen to move up.

There wasn't much change in the race only McKay who was going well clinched fifth after Doak tried an outside pass on Woolsey and Christie. Heatrick went on to win and took top points in the 13 World Qualifier.

McMillan came in runner up and collected a good haul of points as well. Alvin Christie no relation to John Christie made his long awaited debut in the class and will soon be joined by another new driver John Stevenson in the ex Connolly / McMillan Peugeot 206.

STOCK SALOON IRISH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Nutts Corner Raceway raves up this Sunday for the Irish Open Stock Saloon Championship.

Loughgall man Winston Weir is the current Champion will be out to defend his Title as will last years runner up from England, Shaun Webster the current National champion.

Scotland's Stuart Shevill jnr who finished third last year is also coming to compete. Over twenty drivers are booked in to do battle in the rough Stock Saloons championships from overseas.

Local men Stuart McCammon. Andy Stewart, John Griffiths, Jason Burns ,Geoffrey Martin Willie Taggart and the McIvor brothers Paul and Peter are just some of the local men taking part. F2 Stock Cars, Productions and Juniors are also on the packed programme.

The travelling Circus will also compete in the Stock Saloons World Masters Championship at Ballymena raceway on Saturday night.
The defending champion and 06 World Champion David Aldous from England will be on hand to defend his Title.
F2 Stock Cars, Junior Rods and Stock Rods are also on the nights events.

Saturday night's meeting kicks off at 7.30pm at Ballymena and Sundays meeting at Nutts Corner is at the earlier time of 2pm.