The tragic death of Joey Dunlop will no doubt have a profound effect on Irish road racing for a long time to come. Joey was not just a superstar, he was a legend, an icon of Irish sport, loved by thousands who followed him around the Irish road circuits from Dundrod to Skerries, and of course the Isle of Man.

The fatal accident in Estonia must again raise questions as to the safety of road racing, as compared to track racing. As long as there are road circuits, the motorcycle racers will take up the challenge. Joey Dunlop not only accepted that challenge but he became the unchallenged king of the roads. He was an integral part of road racing for three decades.

Leinster Motor Club's Leinster 200 short circuit races at Mondello tomorrow will go ahead as planned, and the meeting will be treated as a tribute to Joey Dunlop. The premier award at the meeting will be the prestigious Hutchinson trophy, which was won by Dunlop in 1976. The next road races on the calendar, the "Race of The South" meeting will be run on July 15th and 16th at Walderstown near Athlone, Co Westmeath. Dundalk Road Races will be held on July 29th and 30th, with a prize fund of £7,000 covering seven races.

A win on both days of the weekend's double fixture by Karl Cleary would see the Dublin driver winning his first Dunlop Hillclimb Championship. Round nine is today's event at the Punchbowl outside Clonmel, which has not been used for a speed event since 1984. Millvale near Carrick-on-Suir is the venue for tomorrow's Round 10. Cleary has much dominated the series at the wheel of his very effective Metro 6R4 4-wheel-drive rally car.

Former champion Ronnie Maybin (Belfast) needs a win and a hill record to stay in contention with his Delta racing car. Making a welcome return to the hills is 1996 champion Richard Young (Newtownards) driving a Mondial.