Keohane lying second at Croft

Cork driver Michael Keohane has moved into second place in the Avon Tyres British Formula 3 Championship race at a rainy Croft near Newcastle.

The Clonakilty driver couldn’t explain why his qualifying yesterday yielded eight on the grid.

However, known for his lighting quick starts, he was up into third before the first corner of the race.

His championship rivals, Robbie Kerr and Mark Taylor went off after a few laps and the safety car emerged for several laps.

When racing resumed, Keohane’s Carlin Motorsport team mate, James Courtney led from

Richard Antinucci and Keohane.

The race order remained unchanged to the chequered flag with Keohane taking his fifth podium of the season.

The tenth round of the series takes place this afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Cavan Rally - the fifth round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship - is being led by Niall Maguire.

After three of the day’s nine stages, he has a 25 second advantage over the similar Subaru

WRC of Michael Barrable with Eugene Donnelly (Toyota Celica) another two seconds behind.

Patrick Elliott (Subaru Impreza) is the top local driver, he is in fourth from the Escort Cosworth of

David Armstrong and Group N leader, Adrian McElvaney (Mitsubishi).

Aaron McHale is in seventh place overall and second in Group N.