Kerr ahead by 21 going into crucial test

AT the start of the Avon Tyres British Formula 3 Championship season, Australian James Courtney was the overwhelming favourite to land the title and follow in the footsteps of his Carlin Motorsport team-mate Takuma Sato.

Within a few weeks, the prediction appeared to lack substance as Courtney failed to convert numerous pole positions. Robbie Kerr, Bruce Jouanny, Michael Keohane and Mark Taylor all stood on the top step of the podium before the Jaguar F1 test driver secured his first win in round seven in Knockhill.

A strong run enabled him to reel in Kerr and take over at the top of the series until a high-speed crash during an F1 test in Monza forced him to miss two races. Kerr, just like he did the previous year in the Scholarship Class, suddenly found an increase in pace. A string of fine results including six wins, coupled with his early season brace, saw him reclaim top spot.

The weekend's penultimate double-header at Thruxton is crucial to both drivers in their quest for success. Kerr has a 21-point lead and Courtney will have to rediscover his form to regain the lead. The pace of some of the other drivers will be a crucial element in the distribution of points. Jouanny and Heikki Kovalainen would seem to be contesting the race for third although, mathematically, Michael Keohane is still in the equation.

The Clonakilty driver returns to racing after the untimely death of his father and mentor, Paddy. Having missed five races and numerous practice sessions, Michael goes straight into qualifying tomorrow. There's no doubt that Sunday's races will be an emotional time for the 22-year-old. All three can have an influence on the destiny of the title.

In karting, the English team are expected to continue their unbeaten run in the Inter Nations Championship at Kartworld, Watergrasshill. The event returns to the Cork venue to begin the rotation system once more. Each team consists of six karters with five taking part in any race. The categories are Cadets, Junior, 100 Libre, Pro-Karts, Formula 125 and Rotax Max.

Teams from Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales will contest each category leading to grids of 25 karters in each race. The Irish team in the 125 Nationals Noel Brennan, Gavin Craigue, Kieran Daly, Joseph Daly and Emmet Queenan are expected to figure prominently while the 100 Libre team of Jeffrey Collier, Ronan Corcoran, David Hilliard, Brian O'Mahony and Joseph McGonigle face a tough test, particularly against the English team which includes Ben Harding, who drives for a works team in Italy. Third place a repeat of their previous best performance would be a significant achievement for the Irish team.

Tomorrow's schedule includes practice, timed practice and three heats starting at 10.15am. Sunday's itinerary with a 10.00am start includes another heat, a pre-final and finals in all categories.

With the exception of the new Fiat Punto Abarth series, all the remaining Irish Championships will be decided in the two-day MG Car Club race meeting at Mondello Park.

Tomorrow's eight-race programme features Formula Ireland and Formula Ford Zetec races and on Sunday they will also have the RT2000s and Fiat Punto Abarths in championship racing. Racing tomorrow is at 1.45pm and Sunday at 12.15pm.

Elsewhere, the Kerry Motor Club Autotest starts in Tralee at 1.00pm on Sunday.

The Dick Bailey Stages Rally starts tomorrow at 10.15am. Although the entry is not as strong as previous years, local driver Eamonn Boland (Subaru WRC) will be expected to win the event for the fifth time.

Based at the Crosbie Cedars Hotel in Rosslare, the rally includes several overseas drivers including John Price (Metro), Steve Hendy (Escort Cosworth) and Bob Fowden (Mitsubishi). Tom Holton (Toyota Celica), Aaron McHale and Kieran Molloy (Mitsubishi) and Willie Carroll (Escort Cosworth) are the other Irish entries of note.

Former Formula 3 racer, Martin O'Connell (Escort Cosworth) is also competing while the rear-wheel driver contingent features the Escorts of David James, Derek Smith and Jimmy Lambert. The format for tomorrow and Sunday is a loop of four stages repeated twice.

Organisers of the Murphy Construction Cork "20" International Rally, the Munster Motor Cycle and Car Club, are holding a Marshal's Training Night on Wednesday next in the Vienna Woods Hotel, Glanmire at 8.30pm. Former six times winner, Billy Coleman will attend.