Motorsport: Marine Hotel Fastnet rally cancelled

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

The organisers, the Skibbereen and District Car Club, following consultations with the farming community, sponsors and the Department of Agriculture, decided to cancel the rally due to the continuing foot-and-mouth problem in the UK, particularly Wales.

Other events cancelled for the same reason are the Cork 20 International rally, the Aer Lingus Single Stage Rally and the Killarney Historic Rally.

The event attracts competitors and spectators from overseas and the club are of the opinion that the risk involved is too great.

Furthermore, they want to maintain the goodwill of the community and don’t want

to jeopardise the future of motorsport.

Meanwhile Cork’s Alan Dwyer heads to Kirkistown for round seven and eight of the Ford of Ireland Ford Zetec Championship tomorrow.

He has a four-point lead over George McAlpin, who will be on home territory.

Alan Ring and Michael Devaney are also competing.

Sunday’s RT Communications/Esat Digifone Rallysprint at the Limerick Racecourse features Austin McHale (Toyota), Kenny McKinstry (Subaru) and Frank Meagher (Ford Focus). Niall Maguire (Subaru) and Michael Barrable and Ollie O’Donovan (Subaru Legacy) are amongst the entry of 120.

The first of four runs starts at 11. 30 a.m.

Also on Sunday, the Irish Short Circuit Motorcycle Races take place at Mondello Park and in Karting, a round of the Munster championship takes place at

Kartworld, Watergrasshill.

In the Neste Rally Finland, Fermanagh’s, Niall McShea debuts the Willy Lux Citroen Saxo. McShea competes in the FIA Super 1600 category.

Oulton Park is the venue for the latest round of the British Formula Renault Championship involving Matthew Griffin, Keith Dempsey and Robbie Coleman, the three Cork drivers face qualifying tomorrow and racing on Sunday.