MOTORSPORT: Peter Dempsey (Ashbourne) clinched the MotorSport Vision Formula Ford 1600 Championship with double wins last weekend at Brands Hatch, and has won 15 of the 17 British races held to date.
He has a 15 points advantage over Noel Dunne (Naas) in the Northern Ireland Formula Ford 1600 Championship, and even if Dunne wins tomorrow at Kirkistown, Dempsey can win his second championship if he finishes sixth or higher.
Dempsey will have the support of his cousin and reigning Northern Ireland champion Morgan Dempsey and Cliff Dempsey Racing team driver Dave Collier who each finished second in the two recent Brands Hatch races, but Dunne and Northern drivers Mike Edgar, Richard Tannahill, Neville Smyth and Kris Loane will be no push overs. Also at Kirkistown, Jonathan Fildes should continue his unbeaten run in the Dunlop Supercars series.
Brian Hearty on 125 points leads Anton Savage (100) in Formula Sheane and in Formula Vee the championship race is between Garry Newsome (117) and Robbie Parks (103).
Jenny Ryan (22) from Athy has been nominated Dunlop Young Racing Driver of the Month for July, the fourth driver of six to go forward for the prestigious Dunlop-Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of The Year award worth €32,000. Having won the Fiat Uno Shield in 2001, Ryan has her sights set on the Fiat Punto Championship, of which she is joint leader with Emmet Graham (118 points) prior to Sunday's round at Mondello Park. There is another close contest in the Strykers sports car series between Karl Dempsey (101 points) and Keith Colmey (100). The Mondello programme also includes races for Formula Libre, Global sports, Porsches and Unos.
Donegal driver Damien Faulkner (Moville) has a lead of 57 points in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB going into Rounds 15 and 16 (of 20) at Knockhill in Scotland on Sunday. He has scored six race wins including five in a row, but will be under pressure from reigning champion Richard Westbrook over the last six races. Paddy Hogan's first round win in the British Formula Renault Championship rather flattered to deceive. But over the last four races the young Dublin driver has shown renewed confidence as he chases the points at Knockhill.
Eoin Murray (Dublin) races in Sunday's Rounds 8 and 9 of the European Alfa Romeo Championship at the Oschersleben circuit in Germany. With a 37 points lead, Murray is concentrating on points finishes rather than race wins. Final two races are at Valanica, Spain on October 2nd.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday: 500 MRCI, Motor Racing, Kirkistown, Co.Down, 1.30pm. Sunday: Galway MC, Galway Summer rally, starths Athenry, 9.30am; Carlow CC, Motor Racing, Mondello Park, 12.10pm; TDC, Autotest, Togher Industrial Estate, Newbridge, Co.Kildare, 11.30am; Killarney and District MC, Autocross, off Killarney-Cork Road, Killarney, Co.Kerry, 12.00pm.
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