Finnish driver Tapio Laukkanen, in his Subaru Impreza WRC S7, is top seed for the Ordnance Survey Ireland Rally of the Lakes 2004.

CONTAINING some of the most daunting stages in Irish rallying, this weekend’s Ordnance Survey Ireland/ Gleneagle Hotel co-sponsored Killarney International Rally of the Lakes, has several potential winners.

The first round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, the Downhill House Hotel Mayo Rally, was won by Eugene Donnelly/Paul Kiely (Subaru WRC).

WITH three races at the Avon Tyres British Formula 3 Championship at Snetterton, the pendulum has swung back in favour of Robbie Kerr, who netted two wins yesterday.

AS expected, Niall Maguire wrapped up the 2002 Dunlop National Rally Championship at the Clonmel Arms/FESP Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally.

Niall McShea/Michael Orr (Citroen Saxo) head the Irish contingent at the end of the first leg of Network Q Rally of Great Britain. Eamonn Boland/Anthony Nestor also made it safely through but Derek McGarrity/Dermot O'Gorman are out.

Top Irish rally star, Austin McHale was prevented from starting the Network Q Rally of Great Britain last evening when his car failed to pass pre-event scrutiny in Cardiff.

Rockingham is the venue for the PowerTour series that includes the British F3 Championship and Formula Ford Zetec Championship.

Continuing his European programme of events, Austin McHale is one of four FIA "B" seeded drivers in the three-day Polski Rally that begins in Poland later today.