Keohane is eighth in Pau qualifier

In the FIA Formula 3 Europe Cup, the Grand Prix of Pau, Cork driver, Michael Keohane, competing in his first ever street race, was eighth fastest in the Group A qualifying session this morning at the French town near the foot of the Pyrenees.

His Carlin Motorsport team mate, Alan Van Der Merwe was tenth. Keohane lapped the street circuit in a best time of one minute12.265 seconds. French driver, Tristan Gommendy (ASM Elf) set the quickest time - one minute 11.55 seconds.

Derek Hayes, from Northern Ireland, racing in the French F3 series this season, was sixth - a fraction

of a second ahead of Keohane.

In the second group, Carlin duo, James Courtney and Shinay Hosokawa were fourth and eight respectively.

Courtney’s time was slower than that of Keohane. The final qualifying group session take place this

afternoon.

Meanwhile, Tapio Laukkanen leads the Rally of Wales by some 36 seconds from the Toyota Corolla of Jonny Milner. Johan Kressner (Subaru) is third from David Higgins and Marcus Dodd.

Rory Galligan (Peugeot 206) is 15th in general classification and Austin McHale, who had steering

problems, is 20th.

Another Irish driver, Kris Meeke (Ford Puma), lost over eight minutes with a broken driveshaft on the

third stage.

Chris Moore leads the Peugeot 206 category where Sean Gallagher and Garry Jennings are the best of the Irish in seventh and eighth respectively.