Motor Sport: Gareth MacHale is hoping he can repeat his brother Aaron's 2007 win in the Birr Rally, and put his first-stage exit from the recent Galway International behind him.
Aaron's first rally win was the Birr event last year and he went on to win the National Championship.
Gareth MacHale in his Ford Focus WRC is the number one seed in Birr, and the top quality entry includes Patrick Elliott and Noel Redmond in Subaru WRC's, Liam McCarthy (Toyota Corolla WRC), PJ McGrath (Subaru), JJ Fleming (Focus WRC), Group N contenders Alan Ring (Mitsubishu) and Willie Fannin (Subaru), Mark Courtney (Toyota Celica GT4), Eoin Doyle (Subaru) and Anthony O'Halloran (Mitsubishi).
The Birr and District Motor Club has received over 300 applications for a place in the maximum permitted 150 starters, plus 22 juniors, which adds up to 344 competitors leaving the Nenagh, Co Tipperary, start from 9am on Sunday.
Peter Dempsey (21) from Ashbourne has clinched a contract with Andersen Racing to contest the Mazda Star Championship in the USA.
Dempsey was particularly impressive in pre-season testing at Sebring, Florida, lapping in one minute 58.7 seconds, the only driver to break the two minute barrier. Dempsey's first races in the American equivalent to European Formula Three are at Sebring on March 13th/14th.
As the motor racing season starts at Mondello Park on Easter Sunday (March 23rd), the newly-introduced Mondello Park Track Team is open to additional members. The team will support the various race clubs to co-ordinate all the aspects of on and off-track circuit organisation. A comprehensive scheme of awards and incentives is being put in place to encourage members.
John Morris of Mondello Park said: "The Mondello Track Team will be a dynamic and exciting part of the race organisation at 2008 events and beyond. It will give more consistent and professional organisation, which will be for the benefit of competitors and spectators alike."
More information on the Mondello Park track Team can be got at www.mondellopark.ie
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday: Cork MC, 4x4 Trial, Rockgrove, Coachford, Co Cork, 11am; Donegal MC, Forestry Rally, starts The Diamond, Donegal Town, 10.50am.
Sunday: Birr and District MC, Stages Rally, starts Nenagh, Co Tipperary, 9.00am; MEC, Hewison Trophy Autotest, Mondello Park, 11am; Cork MC, 4x4 Trial, Rockgrove, Coachford, Co Cork, 11am.
