Nine confirmed for Formula Ireland
With nine drivers confirmed and five others due to sign over the next few weeks, it appears the series hasn’t suffered any effects from 2002 champion, Robby Coleman’s exclusion from the Young Driver of the Year Award short-list and the grid could actually be larger than last season.
Jeffrey Collier, Paul Dagg and Emmett Queenan are amongst those signed for the series. Collier has bought Robby Coleman’s car while it will be interesting to see how Ford Zetec champion, Paul Dagg will perform in the slicks and wings category.
Queenan was the lucky driver who won the use of a car for the season, a prize he won in a competition where he beat off competition from several other promising young drivers. The competition involved considerable time at the Mondello Racing School, a fitness test, an interview and racing 12 laps in a Formula Vauxhall.
Cork driver, Brendan Murphy is also planning to compete in this year’s championship. Speaking yesterday, Mondello Park boss, John Morris said:
“What happened during the close season was disappointing, especially as Robbie was such a dominant figure in Formula Ireland. However, it looks as if some good has emerged from the publicity that it received.
“The selection process that we applied for the prize drive in Formula Ireland was welcomed and I think that all those involved in the Young Driver of the Year Award will now have another look at their selection procedures.”
Tomorrow night at the Killiney Castle Hotel, the Night of Champions racing awards will be presented.
For the second year in a row, Michael Devaney will be presented with the Sexton Trophy. I understand, Formula Ireland winner, Robby Coleman will not be able to attend due to a clash with another function.
The Cork 1000 Shakes Navigation Trial, the fifth round of the National Navigation Trial Championship and round four of the Senator Engineering Munster Navigation series starts at midnight tomorrow night on the border of counties Cork and Limerick.
Based at the Ballyvrena Community Centre near Kilfinnane, the 92-mile route is based on Discovery Sheets 73 and 74. Check-in is 8.30pm with the first car away at midnight.
In the context of the national series, Cork born, Ray and Stephen O’Neill share the lead with Andy Mackarel/Liam Higgins. Former national champions, Bones O’Connor/Paul Phelan are amongst the entry that also includes Ronnie Griffin/Vincent Fagan.
In the semi-expert class, Donal Healy/Peter Keohane seek to raise their current positions in the national and regional series. The novice class should feature a good contest between Joseph Shinnors/Kieran Daly and Diarmuid French/Jason O’Mahony.
Hewison Autotest championship leader, Eddie Peterson (Mini Special) with 191 points, has a two-point advantage entering the weekend’s double-header in Waterford.
His closest rival, JJ Farrell along with Eamonn Byrne will be hoping to close the deficit. Both events, organised by the Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club are in Waterford City with the start time tomorrow at 11.00am and on Sunday at 10.00am.
Billy Coleman-award winner, Shaun Gallagher (Donegal) and his Cork co-driver, David Moynihan tackle the two-day Mountain Rally starting in Norway today. Henning Solberg is the top seed in a Mitsubishi Evo 6. Gallagher/Moynihan are the third seeds in the F2 category.
Melvyn Evans has confirmed he will defend his title on the Quality Hotels West Cork Rally. The Welshman won the Clonakilty event in very convincing fashion last March and he will drive his new Subaru WRC.
Meanwhile, Bob Fowden also signalled his intentions to compete in the West Cork adding that he could switch to a Subaru WRC after the opening round of the Get Connected Rally Championship.
Colin McRae’s former co-driver, Nicky Grist, makes his first competitive appearance since his split with McRae when he will partner series sponsor, Damien Cole (Mitsubishi) on the Clonakilty based rally on March 15/16.
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