MOTOR SPORT: STEVEN FERGUSON and Eddie Peterson are separated by just two points in the battle for honours in the Hewison Trophy Autotest Championship, and with five rounds to run even the slightest driving error, misjudgment or mechanical trouble could be a deciding factor in the final outcome.
Peterson has three consecutive Hewison titles to his name and should have that vital edge over Ferguson to make it four in a row. The points standings are: 1 Steven Ferguson 230; 2 Eddie Peterson 228; 3 Eamonn Byrne 222, 4 Robin Lyons 212; 5 Sam Johnston 204; 6 Paddy Power 197; 7 Chris Grimes 193, 8 Steven Bolton 154, 9 Paul Phelan 150, 10 Daniel Byrne 147, 11 Liam Cashman 134, David Thompson 120.
Class leaders: Eamonn Byrne, Eddie Peterson, Steven Bolton, Liam Cashman, David Thompson.
Novice class (Europa Cup): 1 Alan Coyle 99, 2 Guy Foster 82, 3 John McAssey 58, 4 Ger Lawlor 42, 5 Terry Power 36, 6 Trevor Athey 34. Coyle is confirmed as the novice champion. Sunday’s Round 10 is in Monaghan, after which the dropped scores system will have a major influence on the championship.
Carlow Car Club has been allocated the new date of this Sunday to replace last Sunday’s cancelled rallycross at Mondello Park. The entry of over 80 drivers includes former champion Derrick Jobb, Eddie Kinirons, Austin and Michael Morris in the supercar class.
In advance of the motor racing season, Motorsport Ireland will for the first time hold a “Try Motor Racing Day” at Mondello Park on March 1st, which is specifically aimed at giving the public an insight into the various aspects of racing and the opportunity to experience track driving with several regular Mondello racing drivers. More details on www.motorsportireland.com www.motorsportireland.com , telephone (01) 6775628, email: trymotorracing-at-gmail.com.
Contary to popular misbelieve, not all motor racing is prohibitively expensive. Drivers can compete in the likes of Formula Vee, Stryker sportscars and some saloon classes on a relatively low budget.
WEEKEND FIXTURES: Saturday: Leinster MC, Sporting Trial, Avoca River Park, Co Wicklow, 11.30am; Midland MC, Navigation Trial, starts Roscommon Town, 9pm. Sunday: Carlow CC, Rallycross, Mondello Park, 10.30am; Co Monaghan MC, Hewison Trophy Autotest, Monaghan Town, 11.30am; Wexford MC, Autotest, Ballyogley, Co Wexford, 12pm .
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