Devaney is aiming high

MOTOR SPORT / Column: Michael Devaney is hoping to gain a podium finish when he takes over the A1 Team Ireland drive from Ralph Firman in Sunday's final round of the inaugural World Cup of Motorsport in Shanghai, China. Firman is testing at Fuji for the Japanese Super GT series.

The 21-year-old Dubliner says: "I am thrilled and proud to have the opportunity to race for A1 Team Ireland again. I would like to thank the team for giving me a third run this season and obviously I will do my best to get point-scoring finishes in both races and a podium if the opportunity arises."

His best result to date was fourth in the sprint race in Australia last November. The Irish team is nine points adrift of fourth in the championship, and if Devaney can score more points it will undoubtedly augur well for his future racing career.

Fiat Punto racing champion Jenny Ryan from Athy contests the UK Mini Challenge with Mark Fish Motorsport, starting at Snetterton on Sunday. In testing her 140mph Mini Cooper for the first time at Snetterton she lapped in a time that would have had her on the front row of the grid for the last Mini Challenge race at the fast Norfolk Circuit.

Tomorrow's Irish racing season-opener at Kirkistown, Co Down, will have races for formula, sports and saloon cars. The fastest racing should be seen in the Kirkistown Sportscars, which features Billy Gowdy and Richard Parsons in potent Radical SR3s, Ivor Greenwood in a Prosport, Jim Hutchinson in his ultrafast Jade and Eamon Matheson, who has added turbo power to his Ninja.

This second round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship is based in Dingle and run over stages at Minard Castle, Lispole, Slea Head and Brandon Creek.

Bunclody, Co Wexford, is the venue for the two opening rounds of the Motorsport Ireland Hillclimb championship.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

Tomorrow: Connacht MC, Autocross, Lurganboy, Co Leitrim, 11am; Wexford MC, Hillclimb, Bunclody, Co Wexford, 11.30am; Birr & District AC, Autocross, Modreeny, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, noon; 500 MRCI, Motor Racing, Kirkistown, Co Down, 1.30pm. Sunday: Kerry MC, Stages Rally, starts Dingle, Co Kerry, 10am; Munster MC & CC, 4x4 Trial, Aghamartha, Carrigaline, Co Cork, 11am; Wexford MC, Hillclimb, Bunclody, Co Wexford, 11.30am; Birr & District MC, Autocross, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary, noon.