For the first time in months, all the leading contenders for honours in the Coras National Rally Championship will be in action - in Sunday's Moylan & Murray Motors Tipperary Stonethrowers' Rally.
After missing four rounds, championship leader John Gilleece is back on the points trail at the wheel of his Ford Escort Cosworth. The Belfast dentist leads the series on 96 points from David Armstrong (85), Michael Barrable (76), Charlie Donnelly (74), Frank O'Mahony (62) and David Kelly (58).
Gilleece confesses to be surprised that he still leads the series: "I thought I would have a deficit, but it's great to be back and still in the lead. It's not decided by any means, there's a long way to go yet."
Gilleece's biggest threat will not be from David Armstrong in his Ford Sierra Cosworth or Charlie Donnelly in his Opel Manta 400, but from Michael Barrable. The Swords driver is really on a charge following his recent Clare victory and his Toyota Celica GT4 is competitive against Gilleece's Escort Cosworth, which has just had an engine rebuild.
As well as the leading championship challengers, the Stonethrowers' has two hot potential winners in Tom Spence in the Circuit of Ireland-winning Subaru Impreza and Waterford's Ray Breen in his quick MG Metro 6R4. The rally starts in Clonmel, where Rally HQ is at Hearn's Hotel. The 3x3 stages are at Cloran, Ballylusky and Coleman; service between Cloneen and Millinahone.
Tomorrow's Kirkistown motor races includes round eight of the Ford of Ireland Formula Ford Zetec Championship, in which the scoreboard reads: 1, Jeff Wright 66 points; 2, George McAlpin 59; 3, Noel Dunne 52; 4, Mark McKenna 49; 5, Peter Walsh 43; 6, Chris Paul 30.
The Co Down circuit will also host races for Formula Ford 1,600s saloons and roadsports, the latter dominated by leader Lloyd Fowler of Portadown from Roy Porter and Damien Mullin in a trio of rapid Vauxhall-powered Westfields.
The third Kells motorcycle road races take place over a new 2.1 miles long circuit at Crossakiel, Co Meath on Sunday. One leg of the circuit is a stretch of the Kells to Oldcastle main road, and the entire lap features wide and excellently-surfaced roads, which promises lap speeds of 95 to 100 m.p.h..
The event, run in association with Castrol, has attracted quite a star-studded entry, headed by 22 times Isle of Man TT record holder Joey Dunlop who will ride Honda bikes in the 125cc, 250cc and Open races. Joey's brother Robert Dunlop is having a great comeback season and will also ride a Honda in the 125cc race.
Derek Young is having a fantastic year and will no doubt set a fast pace on 600cc and 750cc Hondas. The Honda is the bike to beat in virtually all classes, especially in the talented hands of Gary Dynes and Denis McCull ough (125cc and 250cc); James Courtney (250cc and 750cc) and Adrian Archibald (600cc).
Southern interest will focus on Dublin riders Mark Curtin (Crumlin) and Brian Coogan (Clonsilla). Curtin rides in the 125cc and 600cc races. Coogan returns to racing after crashing at Fore in mid-July, riding a 600cc Securispeed Suzuki; and Pat Bradley (Swords) also rides for the same Securispeed Team on a 600cc Kawasaki.
Saturday sees the final rounds of the Irish Motocross Championship, at Bellshill, Co Down, with several leading British riders competing, including current champion Paul Cooper (Kawasaki) and Rob Herring (Yamaha).
The top placings are: Grade A: 1, B. Steele 157 points; 2, P. McCullough 140; 3, A. Lyons 124; 4, G. Crockard 114. Grade B: 1, C. Bell 111; 2, J. McHugh 102; 3, R. Crawford & J. Brennan 100. Grade C: 1, A. Holland 114; 2, D. McKee 74; 3, S. Kane 68; 4, S. Davison 53. Weekend Fixtures
Saturday: Knock MCC Irish Motocross Championship finals, Bellshill, Co Down. 12.0; 500 MRCI motor racing, Kirkistown, Co Down, 1.0.
Sunday: Tipperary LC & MCC, Stonethrowers' Rally, starts Clonmel, 10.55 a.m.; Kells motorcycle races, Crossakiel, near Kells, Co Meath, roads close 11 a.m.; ISBMCC Motorcycle grasstrack racing, Arklow, Co Wicklow, 12.30 p.m.
