Hayden, O’Brien chase kart top spots

THE conclusion of the Irish Karting Championships, the penultimate rounds of two forest rally championships and the motorcycle short circuit races dominate weekend action.

And at the Trackrod Rally in Yorkshire, the Pirelli British Rally Championship showdown involves Jonny Milner and Justin Dale, with Irish drivers Rory Galligan and Kris Meeke set to make amends for their setback on the last round in Ulster.

Just three of the eight categories within the Irish Karting Championship remain undecided prior to Sunday's final round of the series at Kartworld, Watergrasshill, Cork. With events attracting an average of 130 competitors, it has been a relatively successful season. Safety remains the key issue although some decisions, albeit taken in the best interests of the sport, didn't find favour with certain parties.

For Glen Cole (Cadets), Gerard Tohill (Rotax Max), Craig Breen (Junior

Restricted), Jeffrey Collier (Formula A) and Emmett Queenan (Formula 125), Sunday's event is a chance to bask in the glory of a championship victory. Ivan Thompson and Gabriel Lodge race for supremacy in the Super Pro-Karts while Richard Tanahill has Michael Slein standing in his way of a national title. Oliver Hayden and Ollie O'Brien contest the top spot in Pro-Karts. The action starts at 10.00am.

The penultimate round of the National Forest Championship, the Birr Forest Rally takes place on Sunday. At a time when Motorsport Ireland is trying to heighten the profile of the sport, it is ironic that the organising club state they have no interest in publicising the rally.

Sadly, the real losers, apart from motorsport fans and sponsors, are the competitors especially Eugene Donnelly, who can clinch the national title should he secure maximum points. Kevin O'Kane and Niall Driver harbour championship ambitions. Apparently, the event will be based in Templemore.

Meanwhile, Philip Shaw, Norman Armstrong and Mervyn Wedlock are the top three seeds for Sunday's Monaghan restricted single stage rally that will be based at the Hillgrove Hotel.

The British Championship is a straight duel between the WRC car of Jonny Milner and the Super 1600 car of Justin Dale. Either driver must beat each other's score to land the title. However, should they score the same amount of points on the 12-stage Trackrod, Dale will be the British champion.

He has already claimed the Super 1600 category and Peugeot has annexed the manufacturer's crown. Within the categories, Dale has the tougher task while Milner has home advantage that could swing the title in his favour.

Irish driver Rory Galligan (Peugeot 206) will be determined to impress, especially after his first stage accident in Ulster. Kris Meeke (Ford Puma) will also be hoping to erase his Ulster disappointment with a strong result.

In the Castrol Polo Challenge, Cork- based Ian Chadwick leads the series but Sophie Robinson could also claim the title. The event will be based at the York Racecourse.

There are 11 races in the 500 Motor Racing Club of Ireland promoted event in Kirkistown tomorrow. The destiny of the Open Formula Ford Championship will be decided with Tim Woodside (Swift) facing the challenge of his brother Simon and Mike Edgar, who will be both piloting Van Diemens.

In motorcycling, Simon Turner is hot favourite for Sunday's short circuit races at Mondello Park where the opposition features Adrian Archibald, Mark Lunney and Cork's Derek Wilson.

There is an open meeting in connection with the Munster Night Navigation Championship at 8.30 tonight at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow.

Dublin pair Martin Taylor and Peter Gallagher will contest next month's World Cup Rally from London to Athens that begins on Saturday October 5. They will drive a Harry Hockley- prepared Proton Satria 1300. Last year Donie Keating and co-driver Nick Condon won the event.

Eoin Murray, 19, was presented with the Jimmy Millard Trophy earlier this week. The trophy is awarded annually to the most promising newcomer in Irish motorsport. The young Dubliner, who finished fourth in the final round of the Clio Renaultsport UK Cup last Sunday, has made steady progress since his debut in the British Ford Fiesta Championship last year.

Former Motorsport Ireland chairman Michael Fitzsimons won the Ivan Webb Memorial Trophy for his contribution to Irish motorsport.

Tim McNulty will debut a Subaru World Rally Car in next week's Murphy Construction Cork 2" Rally, the penultimate round of the Toshiba Computers Irish Tarmac Championship. Another driver with a change of car will be Melvyn Evans, who will pilot an Escort WRC rather than a Subaru.