MOTOR SPORT: Two Cork drivers will grab lots of attention this weekend, legendary rally hero Billy Coleman in the Carlow Stages and Matt Griffin in the Fáilte Ireland-sponsored British GT Championship feature at Mondello Park.
Coleman's illustrious record covers three Circuit of Ireland wins and victory in the RAC British Rally Championship. He started his career driving a Ford Escort, and went on to successfully rally a variety of cars including Alpine-Renault, Opel Manta, BMW, Metro 6R4 and Porsche 911. He returns to the wheel of a Ford Escort Mk.2 in Sunday's rally.
Although Coleman says he will be out for fun, there is no doubt the old maestro will show many of the young drivers that time has only fractionally slowed the skill and speed that are the hallmark of his genius.
Carlow Car Club has attracted 57 Ford Escort Mk.2s, probably the biggest turn-out of this still very competitive all-time classic rally car. With four stage wins in a row, Mick Reddy and the very quick David James are the two most likely to set the pace, whilst the battle for overall victory will be spearheaded by Patrick Elliott, Tommy Graham and Carlow's Stephen Murphy in Subaru Imprezas. The stages are in the Gowran-Paulstown area of north Kilkenny, with service at Gowran Park racecourse.
Matt Griffin, who won last year's British GT Cup, partners American Aaron Slight in the EE-Sport run works Vauxhall Monaro N-GT, and will debut the powerful Australian Holden-originated car at Mondello Park in rounds three and four of the British GT Championship.
The impressive line-up includes Porsche, Ferrari and TVR GT's. Tim Mullen (Portadown) and Hector Lester (Belfast) drive Ferrari 360s, Shannon-based Peter Le Bas drives a Chevrolet Corvette C5R. The talented Tim Mullen drives a Ferrari 360, entered by Scuderia Ecosse and the Racing With Ferrari team recently tested extensively at Mondello.
Mullen said: "This is a fun circuit, really tight and twisty. We have every chance of a podium finish at Mondello and that's what we're gunning for".
FIXTURES - Saturday and Sunday: Motor Racing, Mondello Park, starts 11.50 a.m and 9.45 a.m. Sunday - Carlow CC, Stages Rally, starts Carlow, 9 a.m.; Skibbereen & District CC, Autocross, Crancore, Clonakilty, Co Cork, 12.0 p.m.; Kerry MC, Autotest, Tralee Racecourse, 12.30 p.m.
