Faulkner faces tough test in US

Irish driver Damien Faulkner faces the biggest challenge of his career on Sunday in the final round of the Indy Lights 2001 series in California.

The North American Championship has already been won by Townsend Bell of the US on 171 points. Faulkner can make it a 1-2 for Dorricott Racing by beating Britain's Dan Wheldon, but it will be an extremely close call with only three points between them, Faulkner on 135 and Wheldon on 132.

Not only is Faulkner going for second place but also for the very important 'Oval Track' Championship in which he leads Wheldon, on 54 and 51 points, respectively. Faulkner surprised the establishment by scoring an unprecedented maiden super speedway win in Texas, which he followed up with a second in Kansas where he was beaten on the line. To win the oval track award, on top of his acknowledged talent on road and street circuits, would seriously boost his chances of landing a Champ Car drive in 2002 and a possible shot at the famous Indianapolis 500.

The 15 young rally drivers in line for this year's Billy Coleman Award have been announced by Motorsport Ireland. They are: Ivor Allen (Newcastle, Co Dublin), John Carroll (Danesfort, Co Kilkenny), Stuart Darcy (Bruckless, Co Donegal), Roland Doherty (Adare, Co Limerick), Colm Doyle (Mooncoin, Co Kilkenny), David Finn (Sligo), Trevor Harding (Cashel, Co Tipperary), Brendan Kelly (Longford), Dessie Keenan (Tydavnet, Co Monaghan), Shane McCarthy (Midleton, Co Cork), Adrian S McElhinney (The Mullens, Co Donegal), Adrian McElvaney (Monaghan), Aaron Mchale (Rathcoole, Co Dublin), James Travers (Kilkenny), Roy White (Clonmel, Co Tipperary).

The winner will receive £20,000, a driver development programme worth £5,000, plus club support by way of free entries to all stage rallies run under Motorsport Ireland permits.