Sticky Torrens

Nevin 'Sticky' Torrens
Born	Nevin 1949 Ballymoney
Nationality	United Kingdom
Other names	Sticky
Citizenship	U.K.
Occupation(s)	Racing Driver, Musician, Businessman
Known for	The first driver to race a non-hybrid Talbot Sunbeam, Irish Open Champion 1976 Stickys Snip Joint Kellys Portrush
Height	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Website	https://www.facebook.com/StickyTorrens/

Nevin "Sticky" Torrens is a former British motor racing driver and greyhound trainer, renowned for being one of the very early pioneers of hot rod racing in Northern Ireland.

Born in Ballymoney, County Antrim, Sticky transitioned into hot rod racing after a short stint in Superstox. He initially raced mk1 and mk2 Ford Escorts, but later switched to a Hillman Avenger, a car he had previously rallied. In 1978, Torrens made history as the first driver to race a non-hybrid Talbot Sunbeam. After several seasons with the Talbot, he moved on to build and race a Toyota Starlet, choosing to use a Toyota engine rather than creating a hybrid with a Ford engine.

In 1976, Torrens became one of the first drivers to represent Northern Ireland in the prestigious National and British Championship meetings, racing at Hednesford and Arlington, as well as competing at Cowdenbeath in Scotland.

Torrens' racing career was marked by notable changes, such as his original competition number, 411, which appeared on his mk1 Escort. In 1977, after the Irish promoters decided to switch to two-digit race numbers, Torrens adopted the number 88. He also changed his racing livery, swapping from his previous white and orange design to a distinctive zebra-stripe pattern. In 1979, when a national hot rod numbering system was introduced, Northern Irish drivers were assigned numbers between 900-999, with Torrens taking the number 988.

Sticky attended Coleraine Academical Institution where he received an offer to attend the Prestigious London Film academy after many bright years of elocution and drama performances. Sticky declined and decided to go down another path with more instant fame and fortune. Sticky started off 'Stickys Snip Joint' in Ballymena, County Antrim where the developed a successful business from the ground up, at its peak employing over 40 employees. It was infamous in the whole country and not just local area and was very well regarded as of the thee premier places in Northern Ireland for the latest and greatest styles and cutting edge technologies of newer modern practices. Sticky had also kept his musical ear to the ground, successfully starting off a light & sound business, where he managed different venues providing equipment and security. He was one of the early adopters of the 90's rave scene in the British isles, bringing it to Kellys Portrush where he also first established the beginnings of what would become the Kelly's Complex Portrush. Although not his venue, it was first his idea to throw parties here and this is how he got into the business of equipment hire and management. Interestingly Louis Walsh from the The X Factor and Sticky had an acquaintance in the start of their music businesses, Louis worked as a promoter down in Dublin and would be in charge of getting gigs for bands they had all over the island of Ireland, where sticky would accept and book them into different venues in Northern Ireland that he managed.

Sticky also worked venues for Van Morrison, Kris Kristofferson and the The Cranberries.

Sticky is residing in the outskirts of Ballymoney and is now retired, however he was into greyhound racing, where he set a record number of winners at the Brandywell race track in the 2010's. A famous bitch 'Rockets Return' was one of his notable winners. having retired pre-covid.

Torrens’ impact on the hot rod scene in Northern Ireland was significant, establishing him as a key figure in the sport’s early days.

Major Titles Won

1975 Hot Rod Irish Championship
1976 Hot Rod Irish Open Championship
1976 Hot Rod Irish Championship