Motorsport Weekly round-up: Six finalists have been chosen by Motorsport Ireland for the much coveted Young Racing Driver of The Year award.

Formula Ireland drivers champion John O'Hara (Donadea), Leinster Trophy winner Emmet Queenan (Frenchpark) and Mark Sheahan (Limerick), British GT class champion Matt Griffin (Blarney), Eoin Murray (Dublin), who finished third in the UK Renault Clio Championship, and Formula Ford driver Charlie Donnelly from Naas have received nominations.

They are currently being interviewed and assessed. Motorsport Ireland has introduced a new element to the award this year in the form of a track skill test which will take place at Mondello Park this Thursday. An Alfa Romeo works driver from the winning European Touring Car Championship will be one of the judges. The result will be announced at a function in Dublin on December 1st.

The winner will receive a prize worth €30,000, plus the Dunlop Sexton Trophy.

Meanwhile, young Dublin driver Patrick Hogan finished third in the British Formula Zip Ford Championship and competes in two rounds of the Formula Renault Championship at Croft this weekend.

He then turns his attention to the UK Formula Ford Winter Series for which he has a fully paid scholarship drive.

Irish motoring is mourning the loss of two of its great stalwart supporters from over the years.

Brian Thornton, the Galway-based motoring journalist, who was well known for his great determination and optimism, has died after a long illness.

He was a long-time working member of the Galway Motor Club and an official timekeeper at Motorsport Ireland speed events all over the country.

The late Mr Thornton was also a past chairman of the Irish Motoring Writers' Association.

The former president of the Irish Veteran and Vintage Car Club, Noel Williams, has also passed away.