MOTOR SPORT: In a very close contest Charlie Donnelly has lifted the Dunlop National Rally championship title on a tie-breaker from Patrick Elliott after both had registered equal points with four wins. The Derry driver will now receive the prestigious Cecil Vard Trophy at tomorrow night's gala prize-giving in Dublin.
Charlie shared a Toyota Corolla WRC with his brother, Eugene Donnelly, winner of the Pirelli Tarmac Rally Championship for the third successive year. Eugene also won the national championship in 2003.
Elliott's co-driver, Paddy Toner, took the Noel Smith Trophy for best co-driver overall with Alan Ring the Group N winner. Class winners are: Kenneth McHale, Tommy Doyle, Pat Callanan, Willie Fannin, Eamonn McCafferty, Keith Power, Andrew Roberts, Charlie Donnelly, Simon Evans, Michael Conlon, Colin O'Toole, Shane Mangan, Drew Hunter, Maurice Moffett and Ollie McPhillips.
Winning co-drivers per class are: Derek McCarthy, Andrew O'Donoghue, Kenneth Shiel, Mick Courtney, Tony Walsh, Jonathan McGrath, Eamon O'Brien, Paddy Toner, Declan Smith, Paul O'Shea, John McGrath, Donnacha O'Callaghan, Victor Hunter, Jason Mckenna and Billy Collins.
Reigning Hewison Trophy champion Eddie Peterson on 116 points has an eight-point lead over JJ Farrell after round five (of 16) of the 2006/07 autotest series. Competition is close between Peterson 116, Farrell 98, Robin Lyons 96, 10-time champion Eamonn Byrne 95 and Chris Grimes 92. Class leaders are: Lyons, Peterson, Gerry Lynch, Liam Croston and Pringle. Mondello Park is the venue for Sunday's sixth round.
Dundalk's Niall Breen finished runner-up to Frenchman Franck Mailleux in the Formula Renault British Winter Series. After dominating the British Formula BMW Championship, Breen (20) made a successful transition to the quicker Formula Renault, scoring three podium finishes from four races.
A new book, White Line Fever, by Alastair McCook is a beautifully illustrated history of Irish road racing covering over 50 years, featuring such all-time greats as Joey Dunlop, Artie Bell and Reg Armstrong and many more in action. Published by Gill and Macmillan and for sale at €27.99/£19.99, this is an absolute must for motorcycle racing enthusiasts.
WEEKEND FIXTURES: Saturday: IKC, Kart Racing, Kiltorcan, Ballyhale, Co Kilkenny, 10.0; Leinster MC, Sporting Trial, Arklow, Co Wicklow, 11.30; Co Monaghan MC, Navigation Trial, starts Resource Centre, Rockcorry, Co Monaghan, 12.0. Sunday: TDC, Autotest, Mondello Park, 10.0; Cork MC, 4x4 trial, Coachford, Co Cork, 11.00; Co Cavan MC, Autocross, Latton, Cootehill, Co Cavan,11.0.
