Motor Sport ColumnMichael Devaney has a lot to prove when he takes over from Ralph Firman in the A1 Team Ireland car in Sunday's fourth round of the World Cup of Motorsport at Eastern Creek, Sydney. Devaney was 10th in the sprint race of the new A1 Grand Prix series at Brands Hatch but retired in the feature race after an incident with another car.
Firman scored the first podium finish for the Irish team with third at Estoril, Portugal, a hard act for the young Dubliner to follow.
"Ralph's podium finish in Estoril showed that the team has the pace, strategy and pit work necessary to compete . . . and I'd like to think I can continue the good work in Australia," said Devaney.
He has signed as reserve to Firman for the nine remaining races and will no doubt gain invaluable experience in testing and in the whole modus operandi of the team.
A1 Team Ireland is also working to develop Devaney's career beyond Formula 3. He finished second in this year's German F3 championship on a tiny budget.
The Dempsey trio Peter, Morgan and Keith head the strong Irish challenge in Sunday's Walter Hayes Trophy Formula Ford meeting at Silverstone.
Other Irish drivers in the 150-plus entry include Noel Dunne, Neville Smith, Dave Collier, Mike Edgar, Richard Tannahill, Declan Quigley and Derek M Daly.
Charlie Donnelly, Peter Dempsey and Paddy Hogan are the finalists in the Motorsport Ireland Young Driver of The Year award. The winner of the 32,000 award will be announced at the Motorsport Ireland champions' lunch in Dublin on January 24th.
John O'Hara, currently fourth overall, can finish third in the Asian Formula 3 championship with a good result in the two final rounds at Batangas, Philippines, on Sunday.
WEEKEND FIXTURES: Saturday: Garda Síochána MC, Sporting Trial, Aughfarrell, Brittas, Co Dublin, 11.30. Sunday: Cork MC, Navigation Trial, starts Glantane GAA Hall, near Mallow, 00.01; MEC, Rallysprint, Mondello Park, 10.30; Galway MC, Sprint, Pallas Karting, Tynagh, Co Galway, 11.00.
