Murphy firm favourite at Raven's Rock

STEPHEN MURPHY has firmly established himself as the dominant driver in the RIAC/Coras National Rally Championship over the last two seasons. The reigning champion has scored maximum points on four of the five events - he has contested this year, and fresh from his recent Circuit of Munster win, the Carlow driver starts as firm favourite in Sunday's Raven's Rock Rally. Run by the Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club out of Waterford, round seven of the championship will feature three sets of three stages at Slievenamon,

Ballyneal and The Slate Quarries, with service at Ninemilehouse between Callan and Clonmel.

This event also counts for the British Tarmac Championship; and the South East Rally Championship. Murphy's Statoil Ford Escort RS Cosworth is the class car of the capacity entry, but nevertheless the champion will be pushed hard by British champion Pete Doughty, Eamonn Boland (Wexford) and Mike Pattison (Macclesfield) in similar Escort Cosworths. Scottish driver John Brodie in a Metro 6R4 and Corks Frank O'Mahony in the ex-Fisher Subaru Legacy should ensure a close contest.

After four rounds of the Triton Showers/Tara Crystal South-East Rally Championship, Michael Nevin and Ger Fahy (Escort) on 47 points, hold a one point lead over John McKeown and Vincent Fergus (Sierra Cosworth). Tom Sheehan and Willie Walsh are third overall on 41 points in their nearly standard Peugeot 2 05. The healthy state of rallying is the South-East is evidenced by the fact that 113 crews have registered for this championship.

There are two race meetings this weekend, at Kirkistown, Co Down tomorrow and yet again at Mondello Park on Sunday. Round five of the Bridgestone Formula Opel Championship tops the bill at Kirkistown, supported by Formula Ford, roadsports and Metros.

Chris Paul, winner of the recent Formula Ford Festival at Mondello, leads the Northern Ireland Championship on 81 points from George McAlpin (70), Alan Ring (57), Jeff Wright (35), Richie Ryans (26) and Derek Hayes (21).

Formula Ford and Formula Vee are featured at Mondello. In Formula Ford, George McAlpine on 52 points leads Chris Paul and Alan Kelly in the Ford of Ireland Premiership. Richie Ryans has a clear lead in the DHL Star of Tomorrow series.

Galway Motor Club hold two autotest events at Salthill tomorrow and Sunday. Sunday's Motocross at Priestown Farm, Kilbride, Co Meath, is the only motorcycling event at the end of June.

The Irish round of the premier 500cc World Motorcross Championship will be held at Vernon Mount, Frankfield, Cork, on July 20th/21th. The 75th Temple 1OO road races take place on July 27th, at Saintfield, Co Down.