RALLY DRIVING: Of the many Irish drivers competing in British championships this year, the two most likely to do particularly well are Austin McHale and Michael Keohane. McHale is mounting an ambitious attack on the Irish and British Rally Championships with his Toyot a Corolla WRC. The veteran Rathcoole driver begins his campaign with the Circuit of Ireland at Easter, which is the opening round of the Toshiba Tarmac Championship.

The British Championship starts with the Pirelli International Rally run out of Gateshead on April 27/28th. McHale also plans to compete in the Welsh, Scottish and Manx events. It will be tough going for the four-times winner of the Irish Tarmac Championship. He has the experience and the capability to compete for wins in both championships, but to aim for two titles is probably over ambitious.

Keohane's British Formula 3 Championship campaign starts on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit at Easter. The 21-year-old Clonakilty driver finished third in the Scholarship class of the British F3 series last year, winning five races. He now goes for the big time with Carlin Motorsport, championship winners last year thanks to the meteoric Japanese driver Takuma Sato. A fit and focused Keohane will also race in the Marlboro Masters F3 feature at Zandvoort in Holland on August 9th/11th, the Macau F3 Grand Prix on November 15th/17th and the Korean F3 Superprix on November 22nd/24th.

WEEKEND FIXTURES: Saturday - Leinster MC Sporting Trial, Ballybrew, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, 12.00; Midland MC Navigation Trial, starts Creggan Court Hotel, Co Westmeath, 18.00. Sunday - Co Cavan MC Autocross, off Ballybay-Cootehill road, 08.30.