WITH JUST two rounds to run, Paul McLoughlin of Greystones leads the All Ireland Motorcycle - Trials Championship by just three points, 176 to 173, from Ulster rider Andrew Perry. Philip Hanlon and Colin Perry are on 89 points each, but out of reach of the leaders.
Tomorrow's Ards MCC Turner Trophy Trial, at Whitemans, Dunmore Mountain, Ballynahinch, Co Down is a vital event for McLoughlin as he goes for two titles in a row against Perry on his home ground. It could all go down to the wire in the MEC's Stanley Woods Memorial Trophy event in the Glendalough area tomorrow week, the final trial in the 12 round series.
Brian McLoughlin, Paul's brother, is certain to keep it in the family, as he leads Grade B on 147 points from Aaron Tracey on, 119 and John Heenan on 117. Stuart Martin on 187 points has Grade C wrapped up, with Conor Nolan second on 108. Ross Darlington leads the juniors on 74 points from Karl Tracey on 67. The Pre 65 class is between Davy McBride on 57 points and Nigel McKinstry on 52.
Irish riders compete in the 30th Macau Grand Prix, in the Portuguese colony of mainland China tomorrow. Phillip McCallen and Johnny Rea on 500cc Yamahas are favourites. Others in this event, which is well known in Irish road racing, are Mike Edwards, Michael Rutter, Roger Bennett, Tim Leech, Marc Flynn, Simon Beck, Ian Lougher, David Goodley and Gavin Lee.
The 43rd Macau Grand Prix for cars features an International Formula Three race run over two legs on Sunday. Previous winners of this prestigious street race include Formula One drivers Michael and Ralf Schumacher.
Motoring events in Ireland this weekend are thin on the ground, the main ones being the Carlow Car Club's Hewison Trophy Autotest and the Birr & District Auto Club's Forestry Stages Rally, both on Sunday. Clive Peterson, leads the Hewison Championship, on 160 points, from JJ Farrell 157, Paddy Power, 152, Andrew O'Donohoe, 144, Dermot Carnegie, 142, and Paul Phelan 140.
Five times Hewison winner and current champion Eamonn Byrne is down in ninth place on 125 points, but after missing three rounds he is rapidly climbing up the ladder and is expected to reach the top when the autotest championship season ends in March.
After two of five rounds of the RIAC National Forest Rally Championship, John McGaffin leads on 25 points from Noel Driver, who is on the same points. But the advantage is with McGaffin on the scoring system. Ray Benskin is third on 18 followed by George Robinson, with 17.
Tomorrow night the Formula Ford Association prizes will be awarded at a function in the Dublin Airport Hotel. Alan Ring of Castleisland, Co Kerry won the premier Ford of Ireland Championship. Five drivers were in contention to the very last race of the season, won by a dominant Ring." Other titles were won by Richie Ryan (Armagh) and Bjorn Schiller (Sligo).
On Sunday the Association meet to discuss the possibilities of going for the latest Ford 1800 Zetec engines next year. Ford Motorsport is pushing to make Formula Ford Zetec a global class, replacing the long established 1600 Kent formula. However the latest cars are more expensive and the cost factor may be the ultimate decider in whether the Irish drivers will go Zetec or stick with the 1600 Kent engines.
The Irish Rally Competitors Association was established at a well attended meeting of rally drivers and co drivers held in Monaghan last week. The elected representatives are: Bertie Fisher, James Cullen, Liam O'Callaghan, Kevin Barrett and Alan Cathcart.
The next meeting of the association will be held in Maynooth's Glen Royal Hotel on December 4th (7.30 pm). All interested rally competitors are invited to attend.
