Ireland set for Champions bow

Ireland are to make their competition debut in this year’s Race of Champions.

Rising star Adam Carroll, who currently leads the way for Ireland after the opening three rounds of A1GP, will be joined by rally ace Gareth MacHale in the motorsport spectacular at Wembley on December 14.

Carroll, a five-times race winner in GP2, said: “It’s a unique opportunity to perform in such a famous venue as the new Wembley, and to give motor sport fans a lot of entertainment over the course of one day.”

MacHale, the 2005 Irish National Forestry Rally Champion, believes he and Carroll will be buoyed by a large number of Irish fans.

“Support for Adam and myself should be great as I know a large number of Irish motor sport fans travel to the event every year,” said MacHale.

“I am sure we will make them very proud and hopefully compete well enough to have a chance to mix it with the world championship drivers.”