Faulkner out to maintain lead

Motor Sport ColumnWith just four races to run, Donegal's Damien Faulkner (Moville) has a 41-point lead over his closest rival Tim Harvey as he competes for his second successive Porsche Carrera Cup GB title in the two penultimate rounds at Brands Hatch this weekend.

Also chasing his first championship is fellow Irish driver Paddy Hogan (Killiney) who leads the Formula Renault series on 382 points from Swedish rival Sebastian Hohenthal on 370.

Although not outright championship contenders, good performances are expected of Dublin drivers Gavin Smith (Vauxhall) and Eoin Murray (Alfa Romeo) in the three British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) rounds, and of Jonathan Fildes (Clonsilla) in the two Seat races.

Niall Breen (20) of Dundalk will not be racing at Brands Hatch as the final two rounds of the Brtitish Formula BMW Championship are not due to run until October 21st/22nd at Silverstone.

However, the very talented Breen has already won the championship with 14 podiums out of 17 races. He is currently studying law but has ambitions to race Formula 3 next year if he can raise a budget of around €400,000, which is needed to race competitively with a professional team.

The Irish motor racing season closes with tomorrow's meeting at Kirkistown, Co Down.

Leinster Trophy winner Kris Loane, Martin Donnelly Trophy winner Ivor McCullough and Golden Helmet winner Noel Dunne will set the pace in Formula Ford 1600.

Jackie Cochrane is unbeatable in historic car racing at the wheel of his Sunbeam Tiger, and Jim O'Reilly (Malahide) is the man to beat in the Porsche class.

For the second successive year Jamie Masterson (21) of Castleknock has been nominated Dunlop Young Racing Driver of The Month for August. He has won five races this year to take the Fiat Punto Championship in his first season in this class.

Carlow Car Club's Stage Rally on Sunday is being run in co-operation with the Laois Rally Sport Club (LRSC). The venue is at Pedigree Corner on the main Athy-Kilkenny Road near Ballylinan.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

Saturday: Connacht Mc, Autocross, Lurganboy, Co Leitrim, 13:15.

Sunday: Carlow CC/LRSC, Stage Rally, Pedigree Corner, Ballylinan, Co.Laois, 9:30; Co.Kildare MC, 4x4 trial, Gortdrum Mines, Co Tipperary, 11:00; Kerry MC, Autotest, Tralee Racecourse, 11:30.