MOTOR SPORT: Gavin Smith (28) says he is "on a mission to win in front of his home crowd" in the Dunlop British Touring Car Championship feature at Mondello Park on Sunday, where the Dubliner drives a works Vauxhall (nee Opel) Astra Sport Hatch.
Smith's best finish out of the first three championship races was a fourth place at Brands Hatch, where race winners were Seat drivers James Thompson and Jason Plato.
Smith not only faces strong competition from Seat Sport, but also from Vauxhall team-mates Tom Chilton and Euro saloon racing legend Fabrizio Giovanardi of Italy.
Vauxhall won all three Irish BTCC races last year, but a committed Gavin Smith will have to dig deep to even challenge for a win yet alone take the chequered flag.
Realistically, Ireland's hopes of a home win are much more likely in the two Porsche Carrera Cup GB rounds in which A1 Grand Prix driver Michael Devaney challenges the regulars headed by reigning champion Damien Faulkner.
Nigel Mansell will be at Mondello on Sunday to support his sons Greg and Leo in the two Formula BMW races.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday: LMC,BTCC Race Meeting, Mondello Park, 9.40am; Galway MC, Woodford Hillclimb, Co Galway, 11.00am.
Sunday: LMC, BTCC Race Meeting, Mondello Park, 9.40am; Co Monaghan MC, Stages Rally, starts Monaghan 10.00am; Galway MC, Ballyalaban, Hillclimb, Co Clare, 11.00am; Clare MC, Stage Rally, starts Ennis, Co.Clare, 11.00am; Galway MC/SKC, Kart Racing, Tynagh, Portumna, Co Galway, 11.00am; Tipperary LC & MCC, 4x4 trial, Dualla, Cashel, Co Tipperary, 11.00am; Skibbereen & District MC, Autocross, Grancore, Clonakilty, Co Cork, 11.00am.
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