Ulsterman Marty Nutt, who is taking a break from his European Championship campaign, won four races at Kirkistown last Saturday and is bringing his winning 600cc and 1000cc bikes to Mondello Park this weekend in search of more glory at the Fingal Motor Club's "Race of The Year" meeting.
Rodney McCurdy, a previous winner of this prestigious title, is joined by fellow PJ O'Kane Team rider Richard Britton, the recently crowned 2001 Regal 600 Champion. Hilton Hincks of Tramore dominated the 250cc class at Kirkistown and also impressed against more powerful machinery in the unlimited Sunflower Trophy race. He will be even more impressive on the twisty Mondello track, as will be local ace James Halligan on a 1000cc Suzuki, 600cc racer Ryan Rainey and Skerries 250cc winner Davy Morgan.
The "Race of The Year" was first held at Mondello in 1980 and won by Joey Dunlop, who went on to become a triple winner. Alan Irwin scored a hat-trick of wins in 1986-88.
Dubliner Eddie Laycock won in 1989 and 1991 and Rodney McCurdy was the winner when this premier short circuit event was last held in 1994.
Tomorrow each class will have two practise sessions followed by one race for each class, and the first round of the Celtic Match Race contested by riders from Wales, Isle of Man and Ireland. On Sunday each class will have two races, another Celtic Match Race and the feature "Race of The Year".
The meeting also is the final round of the Irish Short Circuit Championships, and is being covered by TV3 in their first venture into televising Irish motorcycle racing.
After successfully competing in World Championship rallying, American and sports car racing, Toyota will compete in Grand Prix motor racing for the first time in 2002, contesting the FIA Formula One World Championship. Irish enthusiasts will have an unique opportunity on Wednesday next to see the new Toyota Formula One car on display in the Toyota Motor Centre, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, from 10am to 6 p.m.
The cars are being thoroughly track tested by Mika Salo (Finland) and Allan McNish (Scotland) in readiness for the 2002 Championship, which gets under way with the Australian Grand Prix on March 3rd.
Paul Sammin has been selected as "Young Driver of The Month" for August. The 20-years old Formula Europa debutant finished third in last Sunday's Leinster Trophy race at Mondello Park.
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