Motorsport: White takes second to strengthen Belgian championship bid

Finishing second in Group N and seventh in overall classification in the Tour of Flanders in Belgium, Roy White, boosted his chances in the showroom category championship.

White, from Clonmel and his Northern Ireland co-driver, Michael Patterson, had a relatively trouble free run on today's eight stages.

With the retirement of championship leader, David Sterckx, White is now just two points behind with one event remaining.

There was heartbreak for another Irish crew.

Eamonn Boland/Anthony Nestor (Subaru), they were heading for a magnificent second overall until gearbox problems forced them out.

The third Irish crew, Brendan Kelly/Rory Kennedy were ninth overall.

In the Lismore Forest Rally, Dominic McNeill (Escort WRC), has a ten second lead at the half way stage.

Former All-Ireland champion, Kevin O'Kane is second with Eugene Donnelly, in a Toyota Celica third.

Last year's winner, Dermot Kelly, running first of the dusty tracks, is down in fourth.

He remarked that he's having to "clean" the stages for his rivals.

LATEST:

S.S. 5 O'Kane's Subaru caught fire. Stage cancelled.

S.S. 4. Local driver, Pete Willoughby (Escort), is out due to a broken halfshaft. He was in eighth place ta the time.

Keith Dempsey was the best of the Irish drivers at the Formula Renault Championship at Silverstone.

His best result came in the first race where he was fifth.

Matt Griffin was eighth in the same race.

Both races were won by finish star, Heikki Kovalainen.