Motorsport: Formula One Jordan driver Ralph Firman is the nominated driver for the new A1 Team Ireland in the AI Grand Prix class, which is being launched as the World Cup of Motorsport. Heading the management of the new Irish racing project are former Jordan commercial director Mark Gallagher and Dublin driver PJ Fallon, supported by businessman Mark Kershaw.
In addition to the British-based Firman, whose mother is from Newbridge, the team will test a number of Irish drivers for race drives, including Michael Devaney, who is racing in Formula Three in Germany. The Dubliner will test the new A1GP car with Firman at the Paul Ricard Circuit in France next week and will attend races as reserve driver.
The series runs as follows: September 25th - Brands Hatch; October 9th - Lausitz, Germany; October 23rd - Estoril, Portugal; November 6th - Easter Creek, Sydney, Australia; November 20th - Sepang, KL, Malaysia; December 11th - Dubai. 2006: January 15th - Singapore (street race); January 29th - Cape Town or Durban, South Africa; February 12th - Monterrey, Mexico; February 26th - San Antonio, Texas, USA (street race); March 12th - Laguna Seca, California, USA; March 19th - Beijing, China.
A1GP will be contested by teams representing 25 countries.
The identical Lola-built cars are similar in concept to Formula One cars. The engine is a 3.4-litre V8 with a healthy power rating of 550bhp. The emphasis will be on driving skill as the cars have no electronic aids. Teams will be allowed to have their own race engineers and set up the cars according to individual preferences.
A1 Team Ireland hope to demonstrate the Irish challenger at Mondello Park on September 18th, at the British Formula Three and GT Championships meeting.
A1GP founder, president and chairman Sheik Maktoum Hasser Maktoum Al Maktoum, a member of Dubai's ruling family, says: "With identical cars and (Cooper) tyres, the series will deliver exciting racing and an amazing atmosphere."
Meanwhile, five Irish drivers compete in two rounds of the Asian Formula Three Championship in Indonesia. Championship leader Anada Mikola has an advantage on his home Sentul circuit near Jakarta.
Kildare's John O'Hara in fourth position trails Mikola by 48 points after the first six races (of 12). Greg Murphy is second and Lee Farrell third in the concurrently run Promotions Class, in which Robert Block is sixth. Barry Waugh makes his debut.
Peter Dempsey (Ashbourne) should clinch the British MSV Formula Ford Championship over next Monday's penultimate two races at Brands Hatch.
Tim McNulty, Adrian McElvaney, Noel Redmond and Maurice Gass top the 131 entry in Sunday's ALMC Multi-Stage Rally. Run out of Virginia, Co Cavan. The stages are in the Mullagh, Moynalty and Nobber areas of Co Meath, with service near Kells.
WEEKEND FIXTURES: Saturday: Carrick-on-Suir MC, Hillclimb, Garryduff, Piltown, 12.30. Sunday: ALMC, Multi-Stage Rally, starts Virginia, Co Cavan, 10.15; Carrick-on-Suir MC, Hillclimb, Catsrock, Fahy, Mullinavat, 12.30; Munster KC, Kart Racing, Kiltorcan, Co Kilkenny, 1.0.
