As expected, five times World rally champion Sebastien Loeb has brought his Citroen C4 to victory in Rally Ireland today.

The second day of Rally Ireland was yet another display of domination from rally leader, Sebastien Loeb (Citroen C4 WRC).

WHAT began as a relatively low profile season for Alan Ring has ended up in a hectic end of season finale that has the former Kerry circuit racer chasing success on three different championships fronts.

MOTORSPORT Ireland have stepped up their involvement in Rally Ireland and will actually promote the 2009 event that will kick start the World Rally Championship in late January. However, funding for the event has yet to be put in place.

REIGNING World Rally champion Sebastien Loeb’s hopes of extending his early-season advantage at the top of the standings were ended after he crashed out of the Swedish Rally.

SEBASTIEN LOEB sent out an ominous message on the first full day of the season-opening Monte Carlo Rally by establishing a 56-second lead over his nearest rival.

WORLD Rally champion Sebastien Loeb had to fend off Citroen team-mate Dani Sordo as he opened his defence of the crown in Monaco.

IRISH Tarmac Rally champion, Eugene Donnelly will drive his Skoda Fabia WRC on tomorrow’s Tour of Sperrins Rally in Maghera. Interest in the rally is heightened by the fact that the organisers, the Magherafelt and District Motor Club, have switched the rally from gravel to tarmac surface.

IT’S a venture into the unknown for Dubliner George Tracey, who competes in the Swedish Rally, the second round of the World Rally Championship, that begins today.

For the third time in a row, the Kingdom Fast Fit Kerry Rally was won by Johnny O'Sullivan in his Escort WRC.

Northern Ireland’s, Eugene Donnelly, driving a Toyota Celica ST205, is continuing his recent fine form as he leads the Formula Karting Mourne Rally.

Continuing their excellent run, Niall McShea/Michael Orr finished the highest placed of the Irish crews involved in the Network Q Rally. They were 17th overall and second in the Super 1600 category.

Niall McShea continues to lead the Irish challenge after the conclusion of the second leg of the Network Q Rally of Great Britain. The Fermanagh driver in his Citroen Saxo, co-driven by fellow Northern Ireland man, Michael Orr, finished today's stages in 18th place.

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.

Entering the third and final stage of the Carrick-on-Suir Single Stage Rally, local hero, Ritchie Curran (Escort WRC) has a 41 second lead over the Metro 6R4 of Willie Dwyer.

Two Irish crews finished in the top three of the Bulldog Rally in Wales, the final round of the ANCRO Rally Championship.

In the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch, there were heat wins for both Adam Carroll and Gary Turkington.

Dermot Carnegie is the 2001 BRDA Rallycross Champion after a dominant win at Mondello Park. Pat Doran (Ford Escort RS200), the pre-event championship leader, retired on the first lap with clutch maladies. Carnegie led all through and finished over three seconds ahead of the Metro 6R4 of Lawrence Gibson.

Cork driver, Matt Griffin, will start tomorrow's final race of the 2001 British Formula Renault Championship on the front row of the grid.