Schumacher machine to star

MOTORSPORT: The awesome sight and sound of an ex-Michael Schumacher Formula One Ferrari being driven this weekend in the Phoenix Park by Dubliner Michael Cullen will be a highlight of the Swiftpost-sponsored Centenary Celebration meeting, organised by Irish Motor Racing Club and Leinster Motor Club and promoted by Motorsport Ireland.

In the demonstration of historic cars, David Kennedy will drive a Formula One Penske PC3, similar to the car John Watson drove to his first Grand Prix win, in Austria in 1976. Mondello owner Martin Birrane will be at the wheel of a Lola T70; Tommy Reid, Ken Fildes and Joey Greenan will drive Formula Atlantic cars; and Noel McIntyre will drive a Formula 3000 Reynard. There will also be parades of pre-war racing cars and modern Ferraris and Maseratis, of which a major attraction will be the e1 million Ferrari Enzo driven by Des Cullen.

Fastest cars in the 28-race programme will be the Crossle 9S sports cars driven by Arnie Black, PJ Fallon, Richard Parsons, Ray Moore and Bill Gowdy. Brian Hearty will set the pace in the two Formula Sheane Rover races, and Formula One commentator Declan Quigley is all fired up for further Formula V success after recent Mondello wins.

Liam Denning and Karl Leonard are the class of Fiat Punto Abarth racing this season.

Roads close at 7 a.m. both days and spectators are advised to arrive early. Admission is free.

In Germany, Michael Devaney (Dublin) and Robbie Coleman (Cork) race in two rounds of the Formula BMW Championship at Hockenheim.

Matthew Griffin (Cork) has been nominated Young Racing Driver of the Month for July by Motorsport Ireland. Driving a Porsche GT3 with Patrick Pierce, Griffin leads his class in the British GT Championship.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

Saturday: Phoenix Park Races: 9am Practice; 1.40pm Crossles/Strykers; 2.20pm Fiat Unos/Puntos; 3pm Irish Historics; 3.40pm Fáilte Ireland Historic Racers; 4.20pm Formula V; 5pm Fáilte Ireland Historic Sports & Saloon Cars; 5.40pm Dowling Homes Porsche Cup.

Sunday: Phoenix Park Races: 9am Practice; 10.20am Fiat Unos/Puntos; 11.00am Formula V; 12.20pm Whelan Motorsport-Surveillance Systems Porsche Cup; 1pm Fridgerite Formula Sheane-Rover; 1.40pm Phoenix Park Pre-war Cars; 1.55pm Fáilte Ireland Historic Racers; 2.35pm Phoenix Park Post-war Cars; 3.30pm Formula One Ferrari Demonstration; 4.10pm Irish Historics; 4.50pm Fiat Punto Abarths; 5.30pm Crossles/Strykers.

Mayo & District MSC, Autocross, Kilkelly, Co Mayo, 9.30am; North-East MC, Stage Rally, Fairways Hotel, Dundalk, 10.00am; Limerick MC, Autocross, Cullen, Co Tipperary, 10.30am; Skibbereen & District MC, Autotest, Eircom HQ, Bandon, Co Cork, 12 noon; Wexford MC, Autotest, The Harrow, Ferns, 12 noon; MRCCI, Midget Car Racing, Mohill, Co Leitrim, 2pm.