Motorsport: Byrne wins at Carrick on Suir

Eamonn Byrne dominated the ninth round of the Hewison Autotest Championship at Carrick on Suir today. The former champion won all the day’s twelve tests and at the finish he was some 15 seconds clear of championship leader, J. J. Farrell.

Between them, they have won all the rounds to date.

Apart from Farrell, today’s class winners were Chris Grimes; Ken Irwin, Liam Cashman and James Pringle. The Ladies award was won by Joan Lenehan.

Farrell retains the championship lead by just two points. The tenth round of the series takes place in

Waterford tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Senator Engineering Munster Navigation series gets underway later tonight in Castlelyons.

The Cork 1000 Shakes Navigation Trial features some 85 miles over parts of east and north Cork.

Two Cork karters, Brian O’Mahony and James McCarthy will participate in the PF (Paul Fletcher) Winter series at the PF circuit near Grantham in England tomorrow.

Sebastien Loeb (Citroen) finished the second leg of the Monte Carlo Rally with a 28 second lead over Tommi Makinen ((Subaru).

Carlos Sainz (Ford), Marcus Gronholm (Peugeot), Colin McRae (Ford) are next in general classification. Reigning World champion, Richard Burns (Peugeot) is seventh.