MOTORCYCLING takes centre stage on the Irish motorsport scene again this weekend, in the form of the 500cc Irish Motocross Grand Prix at Vernon Mount in Cork City. The 500cc class is the premiership in this spectacular sport, and the star entry for round eight of the World Championship is headed by leader Joel Smets of Belgium, riding a Husaber.
Smets leads on 207 points from Shayne King (New Zealand) on a KTM on 199, with Dietmar Lacher (Germany) on a Honda in third position on 153.
Competitors from 14 countries will compete over the 1.8km track. A crowd of 30,000 attended the 250cc World Motocross Championship events at the same venue in 1993 and 1995, and an even bigger crowd is expected tomorrow.
Large parking areas will be allocated on a first come first served basis on a closed section of the South Link dual carriageway. Timed practise takes place today from 3.30 to 5.10 pm. Tomorrow's Grand Prix will be run in two separate races, starting at 1.30 pm and 4.00 pm, with results on aggregate times.
The Enkalon 20th Anniversary short circuit motorcycle races take place to day at Bishopscourt, Co. Down. The main race on the 10 race programme carries a prize fund of Stg £6,000.
The motor races scheduled for Kirkistown today have been postponed, and will most likely be held on August 31st or September 14th.
Carryglass, Longford is the venue for tomorrow's round five of the Elf National Autocross Championship, organised by the Midland Motor Club.
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