Irish city centre drivers had a shock to the system yesterday after their normally snail-paced congested routes were transformed for an ear-cracking 160km/h Formula One exhibition.

An estimated 110,000 people attended the Bavaria City Racing Dublin motorsport demonstration today, despite an unseasonably cold downpour.

Fáilte Ireland have announced plans to pump €3.4m into a series of high-profile sporting events being held in Ireland this year.