MOTOR SPORT:Can Richard Lyons give A1 Team Ireland that much needed change of fortune in New Zealand on Sunday? The answer will undoubtedly have a major influence on the future prospects of Ireland in the A1 Grand Prix series.
From the first eight rounds of the World Cup of Motorsport, Michael Devaney scored Ireland's one and only point. After finishing runner-up in the German Formula Three Championship in 2005, Devaney has literally found his racing career going seriously backwards in A1 GP, after he recorded some of A1 Team Ireland's best results with two fourth-place finishes when he subbed for Ralph Firman in three rounds in the first series.
The disenchanted but still optimistic Dubliner has quit A1 GP and has set his sights on racing in the Champ Car Atlantic series in America, which starts with a new street race in Las Vegas on April 8th.
Meanwhile, Lyons has taken over as A1 Team Ireland number One driver with John O'Hara continuing his role as test and stand-in driver. Ex-Jordan F1 race engineer Gary Anderson has been brought in to sort out the complexities of the Irish car and bring it up to the same level of technical competitiveness as the identical rival team cars. Team owner Mark Kershaw (Dublin) is looking to the Northern Ireland combination of Lyons and Anderson for the results required to attract vital sponsorship.
The circuit's spectacular backdrop for the two New Zealand rounds is Lake Taupo on the North Island. Germany leads the series on 48 points, and the battle for second is between Britain (36), Mexico (34), reigning champions France (32), New Zealand (31) and Malaysia (30).
The second half of the 2006/'07 Hewison Trophy Autotest Championship begins on Sunday event in Longford. After eight rounds reigning champion Eddie Petsrson has a 22-point lead over 10-time champion Eamonn Byrne.
Denis Biggerstaff, Michael Curran, Stephen Moore and Seán Devine top the maximum list of 70 drivers competing in tomorrow's six-stages rally at Kirkistown, organised by the 500 Motor Racing Club of Ireland in association with the Ulster Automobile Club.
Meanwhile, Kevin Lynch has switched from Subaru to Ford.
WEEKEND FIXTURES: Saturday: Garda Siochana MC, Sporting Trial, Aughfarrell, Brittas, Co Dublin, 11.30. Sunday: Cork MC, Navigation Trial, starts Coolcower House, Macroom, Co Cork, 00.01; Tipperary LC and MCC, Rallysprint, Rosegreen, Cashel, Co Tipperary, 10.0; Co Cavan MC, Autocross, Latton, near Cootehill, Co Cavan, 10.30; Midland MC, Autotest, Cartronageeragh Business Park, Lanesboro Road, Longford, 11.0; Co Kildare MC, 4x4 Trial, Crohane, Killenaule, Co Tipperary, 11.0.
