Motorsport: Keohane qualifies on second row

Irish driver, Michael Keohane qualified on the second row of the grid for tomorrow’s third round of the

British Formula 3 Championship at Donington Park.

Despite suffering continuing discomfort after his high speed crash in Brands Hatch just two weeks ago, the Clonakilty driver showed great determination and pace on the East Midlands circuit.

Keohane, a former Irish Examiner Youth Sports Star Award winner, lapped consistently and stayed hot on the heels of his Carlin team mate, James Courtney and Promatecme driver, Bruce Jouanny. Rob Austin (Menu F3 Motorsport) was next of the 20 Championship Class drivers.

Keohane, in his Mugen Honda engined Clonakilty Black Pudding/irishmobiles.com car set his fastest lap with a time of 1 minute 04.001. Northern Ireland’s Matthew Gilmore qualified down in nineteenth place.

In the Scholarship Class, Adam Carroll (Northern Ireland) put his Sweeney Racing car at the top of the time sheets with a very slick performance. Gavin Smith qualified fifth in the Scholarship category.

Grid positions for Round 3 British F3 Championship:

Courtney (pole)

Jouanny

Keohane

Aiustin

Kovalainen

Hosokawa

Van der Merwe

Kerr

Carroll (S)

Qualifying for tomorrow’s fourth round takes place this afternoon - 1. 50 p.m. for the Scholarship Class

and 2. 20 p.m. for the Championship Class.

In the Astra Stages Rally in Wales, the second round of the ANCRO Championship, Jonny Milner (Toyota Corrolla WRC) has an eight second lead over the Peugeot of Andrew Barton with Julian Reynolds (Subaru) third - a further seven seconds in arrears.

Kenny McKinstry had a few problems on the first stage but the Banbridge driver is now up to 14th overall.

Rory Galligan (Peugeot 106) is 20th; Michael Murray (Subaru) is 27th with Garry Jennings (Peugeot 106) two places behind.