Irish chasing points

Motor Sport ColumnEugene Donnelly on 50 points, Eamonn Boland (41), Derek McGarrity (30) and Tim McNulty (22) are leading the Pirelli Tarmac Rally Championship and chasing more valuable points in Scotland in the Jim Clark Memorial Rally, which starts this afternoon (3.30pm) from the town of Kelso.

Also listed in the 300-strong entry are Ray Breen, Rory Galligan, Garry Jennings and Seamus Leonard.

After winning the two opening championship rounds, reigning champion Donnelly dropped to 65th in Donegal as the result of an under-bonnet fire. The Derry driver drove his Toyota Corolla WRC to finish a remarkable sixth and hold on to his championship lead. He leads off the Scottish event, seeded one, ahead of McGarrity, McNulty and the ever-consistent Boland.

Irish drivers contesting the Mitsubishi Evo Challenge are Shaun Gallagher (Letterkenny), Phillip Morrow (Lisburn) and Neil McCance (Comber). Two more Irish drivers, Tom Holton and Martin Doherty, are rallying in Holland this weekend, in the BHV Expo Rally.

Dublin drivers Michael Cullen and Paddy Shovlin are in action in Italy on Sunday in the Ferrari Festival at the famous Monza Grand Prix circuit.

Plans are well advanced for this year's Phoenix Park motor races two-day programme. Dublin's traditional road races will be run on August 12th/13th in a unique joint promotion by the Phoenix Park Drivers and the Leinster Motor Club, with Ann Stevens as clerk of the course.

FIXTURES - Saturday: Tipperary LC & MCC, Dungarvan Hillclimb, Co Waterford, 11am; Cork MC, Autotest, Tougher, Co Cork, 6pm. Sunday: Tipperary LC & MCC, Dungarvan Hillclimb, Waterford, 11am; Tipperary LC & MCC, Veteran & Vintage Car Rally, Dungarvan, Waterford, noon; Skibbereen & District CC, Autotest, CH Marine, Skibbereen, Cork, noon; Meath & District MC, Kart Racing, Athboy, noon; MRCCI, Midget Car Racing, Amberstown, Wexford, 2pm.