Sport

Percy expected to set the pace at Killarney

In the National Autocross Championship, sponsored by the Gordon Percy Engine Centre of Nenagh, Cathal Hogan (Ballinasloe) driving…

By BRIAN FOLEY
Fri Aug 04 2000 - 01:00

In the National Autocross Championship, sponsored by the Gordon Percy Engine Centre of Nenagh, Cathal Hogan (Ballinasloe) driving his Vauxhall (nee Opel) Special holds a slender two-points lead over reigning champion Ger Brennan (Killarney) in his Ford Fiesta-Cosworth. Two double rounds will be run by the Killarney & District Motor Club tomorrow and Sunday.

In the recent round at Athlone, Gordon Percy set the fastest time in his 1100cc Kawsaaki motorcycle-engined Special and is expected to be the pace setter on the fast course outside Killarney town, off the Cork Road.

The championship scoreboard reads - Overall: 1, Cathal Hogan (Vauxhall Spl.) 95; 2, Ger Brennan (Fiesta-Cos.) 93; 3, Barry Driver (Fiat Uno) 84; 4, Paul Driver (Uno) 58; 5, Brian Turner (Rover Spl.) 57.5.

Class 1: 1, Frank O'Connell (Mini) 40; 2, John Hackett (Mini) 33; 3, Jerry Lehane (Honda Civic) 25.

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Class 2A: 1, B Driver (Uno) 48; 2, P Driver (Uno) 34; 3, Donal Kenny (Escort) 25. Class 2B: 1, John Kenny (Escort) 32; 2, Anthony Kelleher (Sunbeam) 30; 3, Joe Byrne (Escort) 29.

Class 3A: 1, Whitby Moynan (Chevette) 37; 2, John Cavanagh (Escort) 32; 3, Keith Prittie (Escort) 10. Class 3B: 1, G Brennan (Fiesta-Cos) 50; 2, Tim Healy (Golf GTi) 16; 3, Donie Lucey (FiestaCos.) 8.

Class 4A: 1, C Hogan (Vauxhall Spl) 46; 2, Eoin Woods (Suzuki Spl.) 24; 3, Chris Behan (Blackbird Spl) 21. Class 4B: 1, Brian Turner (Rover Spl) 38; 2, Garry Turner (Rover Spl.) 33; 3, Willie Cavanagh Jnr. (Rover Spl.) 31.

Juniors: 1, Michael Hackett (Mini) & Colin O'Toole (Fiesta) 30 each; 3, Ger Driver (Corolla) 26.

Women: 1, Dorothy Cavanagh (Suzuki Spl) & Niamh Driver (Uno) 40 each; 3, Fiona Cullen (Kadett Coupe) 16.

All the leading contenders in the British Hillclimb Championship will compete in tomorrow's Craigantlet Hillclimb, outside Belfast. The event is being run by the Ulster Automobile Club, celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Another anniversary is to be celebrated on October 7th, 50 years after the last Leinster Trophy race was held at Wicklow. The Leinster Trophy was held on the 8.33 miles Wicklow circuit from 1950 to 1957, inclusive, and winners included Mike Hawthorn, Desmond Titterington, Pierce Cahill and Billy Lacy. Hawthorn won in 1951 driving an Riley of pre-war vintage with considerable verve, marking him something special. Of course he went on to become World Champion with Ferrari in 1958, only to be killed in a road accident in early 1959. Motorcycle racing was also held on the Wicklow circuit.

The Wicklow commemoration will be run in conjunction with the Leinster Motor Club and local people headed by racing enthusiast, former midget-car champion Bobby Jackson. It is intended to erect a monument in Wicklow town, stage a run for old cars around the circuit and hold an exhibition of photographs and other memorabilia in the Wicklow County Council's exhibition centre. The possibilities of running a speed event on part of the original circuit are being investigated.