The Irish motor racing season finally gets under way at Mondello Park tomorrow and Monday with a star attraction in the visiting `Force' Formula 5000 and Classic Grand Prix series from Britain, in addition to most of the Irish championship classes.

There is a seven race programme on both days, the highlight being the return of the mighty Formula 5000 cars which drew huge crowds to the Dublin Grand Prix at the Kildare circuit some 30 years ago.

Dublin driver David Kennedy, business entrepreneur and commentator on Formula One with RTE, returns to racing after eight years to drive Martin Birrane's F.5000 Lola-Chevrolet T330. He drove a Formula One Jordan in demmo laps at Mondello two years ago and could well surprise regular Force competitors Nick Crossley, Keith Baldwin and Frank Lyons.

Stryker sports cars will make up a full grid tomorrow, with last year's Dunlop Championship runner-up Robert Taylor of RAC Ireland supported by his son Adam in a two-car team. Sexton Trophy winner and Formula Europa Championship winner Paul Dagg is also racing a Stryker and will no doubt be a serious championship challenger.

There will be two combined races for the Crossle 9S and Global Lights sports cars, Fiat Uno and Punto series will race on both days, and the RT2000 saloon race will be on Monday.

Michael Keohane powered himself into contention in the important Scholarship class of the British Formula 3 championship with a win and a second place at Donington last Sunday, and is now second in the championship. It was a double celebration for the Clonakilty driver who was 21 last weekend. He competes in two more championship rounds at Oulton Park, Cheshire on Monday. Brian Flanagan and Ted Gaffney, Irish Group A 1300cc class champions, will compete in their Nissan Micra 'Kit Car' in the weekend's Walloon Rally in Belgium.