Fildes primed for Mondello

MOTOR SPORT/Weekend Preview: The opening round of the Dunlop RT2000 Championship is the main Mondello Park attraction on Sunday at the first motor races of the season at the improved Co Kildare circuit.

Reigning-champion Jonathan Fildes is the lead driver in the new CAM Racing Team, headed by Larry Armstrong, along with Pat Donegan, Bob Copeland and Paul Reilly.

They face real competition from Derek Cunneely, Johnny Whelan, Mark Turley, Johnny Whelan, Brendan and David Donegan, David Collier, Eric Holstein and Rod McGovern.

The entry of 160 drivers is dominated by over 45 Formula Vee racers. There are also races for Formula Sheane, Crossle/Global Lights sports cars, Strykers, Fiats and historics.

Double wins by Michael Keohane in rounds three and four of the British Formula Three Championship at Donington Park on Sunday was a major boost for the Clonakilty driver after a disastrous two opening rounds at Easter.

He is fourth in the championship on 40 points, behind Australian James Courtney (61), Britain's Robbie Kerr (52) and France's Bruce Jouanny (41). His next appearance is scheduled for Silverstone on May 4th-5th.

Dubliner Michael Devaney (17) makes his Formula BMW debut at the German Grand Prix circuit of Hockenheim this weekend. Devaney, driving for the Championship Mamerow Racing, was fastest in the recent first tests at Lausitzring. He will have two races at Hockenheim.

Niall Maguire leads the Dunlop National Rally Championship on a maximum score of 40 points, having won the two opening rounds in Mayo and Kerry.

The Ballinode driver competes on home territory in Sunday's Monaghan Stages Rally, and is poised to further extend his championship lead in the absence of second-placed James Harrison (36 points) and reigning champion Paul Harris, who failed to finish the first two events.

Donal O'Donovan is listed in the reserves but the third-placed west Cork driver is expecting a call-up to start and add to his 22 points.

David Armstrong and Tim McNulty are joint fourth on 16 points, but with McNulty not listed, Armstrong is sure to improve in the standings and will no doubt push hard to beat Maguire, O'Donovan and Michael Barrable for a win. Others in the frame will be Glen Allen, Patrick Elliott, Kieran Shaw, Seán McArdle and Kevin Barrett.

The Monaghan event is also the opening round of the Ford Ka Rally Championship. The 3x3 stage locations are: Mount Louis, Sliabh Beagh and Tully, with central service at the Hillgrove Hotel.

WEEKEND FIXTURES - Saturday: Cookstown 100 Motorcycle Races, Co Tyrone, 11 a.m.; Garda Siochana MC, Sporting Trial, Garryhunden, Co Carlow, 12.30 p.m. Sunday: SKC, Kart Racing, Tynagh, Portumna, Co Galway, 8 a.m.; Birr & District AC, Autocross, Tullamore Road, Birr, Co Offaly, 9 a.m.; West Cork MCC, Motorcycle Drag Races, Bandon, Co Cork, 9 a.m.; Co Monaghan MC, Monaghan Rally, starts Hillgrove Hotel, 11.30 a.m.; Dublin & District MCC, Grasstrack Racing, Newcastle, Co Dublin, noon; GSMC, Sporting Trial, Garryhunden, Co Carlow, 12.30 p.m.; IMRC, Motor Racing, Mondello Park, 12.30 p.m.; Kerry MC, Autotest, Tralee, 2 p.m.