Motorsport: Irish drivers figuring prominently

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

Carroll topped the time sheets in Heat 2 - 0.018 seconds ahead of one of the event favourites, Richard Goransson. In the same heat, Steven Colbert and Tony Rodgers were seventh and eighth respectively. Northern Ireland's, Gary Turkington was quickest in Heat 4, Derek M. Daly was a disappointing 16th.

Elsewhere, Dubliner, Philip Kershaw was tenth in Heat 3. In one of the strongest heats, Heat 1, Robert Dalghren, Ronnie Bremer were first and second. Ireland's, Steven Kane was sixth.

Irish drivers, Austin McHale (Toyota Corolla WRC), Stephen Finlay (Subaru WRC) and Eamonn Boland (Subaru WRC) are leading the charge to Bulldog Rally Leader, Marcus Dodd (Subaru WRC).

The event is the final round of the ANCRO National Rally Championship, McHale is in second place with Finlay and Boland next on the leaderboard.

In the Tour of Corsica, Niall McShea/Michael Orr (Citroen) are holding a steady fourth place in the Super 1600 category that is being led by Sebastien Loeb (Citroen).

Early leader, Andrea Dallavilla, lost time with a power steering malady on today's early stages, he dropped to third but has forced his way back into second - some 25 seconds behind Loeb as they head to SS9.

Overall, Jesus Puras (Citroen) continues to lead from the Peugeot's of Gilles Panizzi and Didier Auriol. Colin McRae is seventh, Richard Burns (8th.). Neil Wearden and his Irish co-driver, Trevor Agnew are 13th.