12th November 2005 - Event Report: SWRC Track & Race Day (for Flat 2 The Mat Magazine)

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Event: SWRC Track & Race Day, Aghadowey, Northern Ireland

Dates: Saturday 12th November 2005

This weekend’s SWRC Track & Race day at Aghadowey had a sad side to it as only last week the Sideways Racing team lost one of their hardest workers, John McLoughlin to a fire which unfortunately claimed his life. The rest of the team put their heads together and with help from John’s family decided that John would have wanted the event to go ahead as planned.

With not everyone being able to attend John’s funeral on Thursday in Belfast, today gave many the chance to come along and say farewell to John by doing what he loved doing himself at Aghadowey.

The weather never looked good for the day, but nothing was going to dampen the spirits of everyone in attendance whether for the run what ya brung track action, the sideways racing championship races or the drag racing competition. The standing water around the track made for more interesting cornering with many cars teetering on the edge of control as they slid around and then back on the power again to stay on track.

As the day progressed the competitors in the different racing classes worked their way through to the finals, which had everyone glued to the on-track action as they gave everything they and their cars had to try and take the all important win.

Once the finals had all been run there were a few laps for the drifters to show off their skills before the drag racing started.

By this time we had ran out of daylight which made for a very interesting drag racing competition as I don’t recall ever seeing a night-time drag event before. Darragh McCool and his flamer-equipped Celica helped to heat up the crowd who by now were feeling the effects of the rain and winds which had been on the go most of the day. A good selection of cars took place in the drag racing from Corsa’s, 106’s through to Evo’s, Impreza’s and a rally prepared Mk2 Escort.

A great way to send off a good friend to many who attended today's event, John may be gone but he certainly won't be forgotten.

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2005-10-30 - Crail Max Power Thrash Event Report (Flat 2 The Mat Magazine)

2005-10-02 - D1 GP Drifting Exhibition Event Report (Fast & Modified Magazine)

2005-09-24 - SWRC Track & Race Event Report (Flat 2 The Mat Magazine)

2005-09-10 - Cruise Control Event Report (Flat 2 The Mat Magazine)

2005-09-04 - Trax Event Report (Fast & Modified Magazine)

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2005-06-12 - Quickshift Drag Racing Event Report (Fast & Modified Magazine)

2005-06-11 - Club GTI Trackday Event Report (Flat 2 The Mat Magazine)

2005-05-22 - Modified Mayhem Show Report (Flat 2 The Mat Magazine)

2005-03-26 - D1 Drifting Dates & Drifting Background Info (Fast & Modified Magazine)

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