Sport

Carnegie still playing catch-up

Motor Sport: Dermot Carnegie has been playing catch-up with Lawrence Gibson in the British Rallycross Championship since he …

Brian Foley
Fri Oct 08 2004 - 01:00

Motor Sport: Dermot Carnegie has been playing catch-up with Lawrence Gibson in the British Rallycross Championship since he failed to score points in the first round when his turbo-charged Ford Focus had engine trouble. Carnegie has gone on to win six rounds in succession, but he trails Ulster rival Gibson by 20 points.

Gibson has been runner-up five times this year and has made a great recovery after wrecking his Metro 6R4 at Pembrey in Wales. The weekend's Rounds eight and nine at Mondello Park could well decide the championship in favour of either Irish driver before the two final rounds.

Niall Maguire has seen his dominance of the Dunlop National Rally championship badly eroded over recent events and a 30-point lead has been whittle down to just six as James Harrison has risen to 106 points. Three drivers, though could win the title, with Patrick Elliott hovering menacingly on 102 points.

Maguire is chasing an unprecedented third National title, and cannot afford any more stage accidents as he goes into the two final rounds, starting with tomorrow's Donegal Harvest Rally.

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The Monaghan man says "Of course there is pressure, but I will go as hard as I can. Jim (Harrison) has shown great form recently and Patrick (Elliott) has upped his pace. If I can emerge from Donegal still leading the championship I will be very happy."

Ralf Schumacher in a 1977 Alfa Romeo Giulia leads off the Circuit of Ireland Retro Rally from the 12.30pm start today in Lisburn. Don't be deceived, though, the German is NOT the Ralf Schumacher of Formula One fame, who is slightly busy this weekend with the small matter of a grand prix in Japan.

WEEKEND FIXTURES: Today: Ulster AC, Circuit of Ireland Retro Rally, starts Lisburn, 12.30pm.

Saturday: Circuit of Ireland Retro Rally, re-starts, Westport, Co Mayo, 9.30am; Donegal MC, Harvest Rally, starts Donegal town, 10.00am; Co Kildare MC International Rallycross, Mondello Park, 11.15pm.

Sunday: Circuit of Ireland Retro Rally, re-starts, Westport, 9.45am; International Rallycross, Mondello Park, 11.15pm; Munster CC, Kart Racing, Kiltorcan, Ballyhale, Co Kilkenny, 11.30am.