Champion Hade will face strong opposition
The debut of the series, based on the 1800cc Fiat Punto Abarth developed in conjunction with Fiat Auto Ireland by leading teams AMF Motorsport, Murray Motorsport and Steve Griffin Motorsport is an exciting dimension to the sport.
Fifteen of the 160 bhp racers will line up on the grid for the first two rounds of the mini series. Former
Punto champions, Liam Denning (Rathfarnham) and Gordon Kellett (Castleknock) will pit their skills against present Fiat Uno champion, Brian Hade (Rathfarnham).
Former kart champions Richie Faulkner and Niki Meredith, and another former champion Billy Griffin (Formula Ford 1600), provide the thrust of the entry that also features Quentin Smith. The 12-lap sprint race is at 12.40pm with the feature race (15 laps) scheduled for 4.15pm.
The cancellation of the FIA historic races the pre-65 Historic Touring Car and GT races is a serious blow to Irish Motorsport and the governing body need to ask questions why, after securing the date, the event was lost.
It isn't good enough to cite the proximity of the last round and the hosting of the Gold Cup in Oulton Park as reasons for the cancellation.
For the first time in 52 years there is no driver from outside Ireland contesting the prestigious Leinster Trophy race. The Formula Ireland category is the preferred series this time around. Grid positions will be determined by the result of the first race of the day.
This increases the pressure on the likes of Robbie Coleman and Peter Walsh, who have the opportunity to add their name to the great trophy.
There is also championship racing for the Dunlop RT 2000s and the Ford of Ireland Formula Ford Zetec Championship, where Paul Dagg is 21 points ahead of Alan Dwyer, with Charlie Donnelly a further nine points in arrears.
The Irish 'O' Plate Karting Championships at Kartworld, Watergrasshill, has attracted over 160 entries. The 100 Nationals and Junior Jica categories should provide the most interesting races. In the 100s, Ronan Corcoran, Joseph McGonigle, David Hilliard, Brian O'Mahony and championship leader Jeffrey Collier are the expected front-runners.
Meanwhile, in the Junior Jica's, a group featuring Michael Slein, Brendan Murphy, Raymie Eastwood, racing in Cork for the first time this season, and local ace James McCarthy, should provide the winner.
In the 125 National, Marie Daly has shown exceptional form and will be strong opposition for Kieran Daly, Emmett Queenan and Joe Daly. Heats are scheduled for tomorrow with the pre-finals and finals on Sunday.
In Germany, the Rallye Deutschland makes its debut in the World Rally Championship. Peugeot and Citroen are expected to dominate, with Richard Burns seeking his first win for Peugeot. Colin McRae and his Ford team-mate Carlos Sainz need to finish ahead of championship leader Marcus Gronholm (Peugeot) to sustain their WRC bid.
In the Junior WRC category, Niall McShea has a fine opportunity to secure points in the Ray Mallock prepared Opel Corsa.
In Brands Hatch, qualifying for Monday's Formula Renault UK Championship round takes place on Sunday. Fabian Coulthard, a 19-year- old New Zealander and cousin of F1 driver David, has signed with Manor Motorsport to compete in the remaining three rounds of the series.
It appears the result of last Sunday's first race in the British Formula 3 race at Oulton Park may be amended.
Earlier this week it was discovered that organisers applied the wrong rule when they red-flagged the race at the Cheshire circuit.
A sporting regulation of the F3 Championship overrides the rule applied last Sunday and if, as seems likely, the results are amended, James Courtney is set to extend his lead over Robbie Kerr who was classified seventh on Sunday.
The amended championship results are as follows: 1. J. Courtney 223; 2. R. Kerr 215; 3. B. Jouanny 154. 4. M. Keohane 142; 5. M. Taylor 126; 6. H. Kovalainen 122. By the same rule, in the Scholarship Class Stephen Colbert is set to be promoted to first place in the race.
The Wexford Motor Club has
announced they have changed the name of the Wexford Stages Rally (September 14-15) to the Dick Bailey Stages Rally named after the popular New Ross ace tragically killed at a hill climb in Inistioge earlier this year.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
