On home ground, it is not surprising that there is a wave of expectation on Craig Breen to win the Discover Northern Ireland Circuit of Ireland Rally, round four of the European Rally Championship that gets underway in Belfast this morning.

ALTHOUGH three drivers have won the National Rally Championship and the Irish Tarmac Championship (ITC) at different times, no driver has ever won the two championships in the same season.

THE KBB Doors National Forest Rally Championship continues with Sunday’s Circuit of Wicklow, the second round in as many weeks. Cork’s John McCarthy (Subaru 555) and Limerick’s Dermot Kelly (Escort WRC) are the top two entrants and both are capable of victory.

ALTHOUGH there are few certainties in rallying, Niall Maguire should wrap up the Dunlop National Rally Championship at the Clonmel Arms Hotel/FESP-sponsored Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally on Sunday.

One of the oldest rallies in Europe, the Cork '20' International Rally has secured its first overall sponsor for almost 10 years.

The 2002 Toshiba Computers Irish Tarmac Championship will consist of eight rounds - four of which are within the jurisdiction of Motorsport Ireland and the rest under the auspices of the Motor Sport Association (MSA) its British counterpart.

The RT Greenmount Rallysprint at the new state of the art Limerick Racecourse went down to the wire.

The Marine Hotel Fastnet Rally, due to take place in Glandore, West Cork on Sunday 28th has been cancelled.

Paul Harris (Subaru) continues to lead the Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally, however, hopes of a ninth victory for Frank Meagher disappeared on the third stage when the throttle cable of his Ford Focus WRC snapped.

Setting fastest time on both of the opening two stages of the Clonmel Arms Hotel Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally, Paul Harris, in his Auto Fast Fit Subaru Impreza has a 17 second lead over local favourite Frank Meagher (Ford Focus WRC).

Tomorrow's Clonmel Arms Hotel Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally is the first tarmac stages rally to take place since the foot-and-mouth restrictions have been lifted.

Midway through the World Rally Masters at Punchestown, Andrew Nesbitt, in his Subaru Ireland WRC, has a one second lead over the Toyota Corolla WRC

Cork racing driver, Michael Keohane is within five points on the lead in the Green Flag British Formula 3 Scholarship Class after finishing a fine third in today’s first race at the brand new Rockingham Motor Speedway.

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

Andrew Nesbitt has won the first ever Punchestown Rally Master in his Cuisine de France Subaru WRC.

Just a second covered the Subaru World Rally Cars of Kenny McKinstry and Andrew Nesbitt after the first run of the Punchestown Rally Masters.

Punchestown Racecourse is the venue for the first rally action since the foot-and-mouth restrictions.