In all the euphoria about sport in general, it is disappointing that Ireland's Damien Faulkner has received such scant media coverage, no national acclaim and virtually no accolades for his remarkable achievement in winning the prestigious European Formula Palmer Audi Championship.
The 24-year-old Co Donegal driver clinched the championship at Brands Hatch, and will push hard to win tomorrow's two final races at Magny Cours, home of the French Grand Prix. The big prize for winning the European championship is a fully-paid drive with a top team in next year's European Formula 3000 Championship, of which several rounds are run at Formula One World Championship meetings.
Faulkner has come through the various junior racing formulae with distinction, winning races at Phoenix Park and Mondello, and then on British tracks before getting into the Formula Palmer Audi class.
"The cars are very quick, around 165 m.p.h. max, and the racing is very tough and competitive," says Faulkner. "I'm looking forward to doing Formula 3000, but what I really want is a chance to at least test a Formula One Jordan."
Would anyone please let EJ know?
Also racing on the Continent tomorrow is Dubliner Michael Cullen, who is hoping to consolidate third place in the Ferrari Challenge, in the two penultimate rounds at Hockenheim.
Rally drivers take to the forest tracks this weekend in the Clonaslee and Camross area of the Slieve Blooms in the second round of the National Forestry Championship. Run by the Birr and District Auto Club, the event will cover 54 stage miles. Championship leader Dermot Kelly is chasing a hat-trick but will be pushed by Peter McCullough, both in Ford Escorts Cosworths, Kevin O'Kane in a Subaru Impreza, Dominic McNeill, Stephen Caraway, Niall Driver and John Donnelly in Escorts. Local drivers include Mick Nevin (Tullamore) in an Escort, Enda Greene (Athlone) driving a VW Golf, Tony Dunne (Kinnity) Toyota Starlet and Sandy Keenan (Borris-in-Ossory) Talbot Sunbeam.
Midget car racing, once popular in Shelbourne Park and in the long gone Chapelizod greyhound track, returns to Dublin tomorrow with the final championship races being run at Sandyford and to which admission is free. The 850cc class is between Fran Brereton on 44 points and Garry Newsome on 43. David Ashton has a clearcut lead in the 1000cc class, likewise Frank O'Connell in the 1200cc grade.
The battle for the much prized Gellar Trophy has four drivers in contention - Anthony Cross on 22 points, Brereton 21, Frank O'Connell 19 and Keith Meyler 18.
The motor sport column which appeared in yesterday's paper was incorrect and should have appeared on Friday, September 22nd.
