The motorcycle road racing season finishes with Sunday's 17th annual Killalane Races on the 3.6 miles circuit near Skerries, promoted by the locally-based Loughshinny MCC.
Torrential rain forced the cancellation of the feature race, the Grand Final, two years ago and the event was not run last year. The lap record of 105.37mph was set by Welshman Jason Griffiths on a 750cc Kawasaki in 1997. Modifications to the circuit will result in slower lap speeds, but Griffiths, double Ulster Grand Prix winners Ian Lougher and Adrian Archibald, Richard Britton and John Donnan will be up to speed in a big way.
Robert Dunlop is unbeaten in the 125cc class. Dublin rider Mark Curtin is always a strong challenger but he does not have the experience of the remarkable Dunlop.
The three Irish riders nominated by the Motor Cycle Union of Ireland for the International Team Motocross at Namur, Belgium at the end of the month are: Richard McKeown, Gordon Crockard and Tommy Merton.
The entry of 120 for Sunday's Forestry Stages Rally at Lismore, CoWaterford is headed by Dermot Kelly in a Ford Escort Cosworth, Kevin O'Kane (Subaru), Dominic McNeill (Escort), John Mckeown (Sierra), Peter McCullough (Escort), Eugene Donnelly (Escort) and Ollie O'Donovan (Subaru). Escort drivers John Donnelly, John McCarthy, James Murphy, Noel Driver and Cahal Rogers complete the top 10.
John Carroll of Danesfort,Co.Kilkenny, leads the Ford Ireland Ka Challenge after four rounds of this very competitive championship. In the recent Limerick Rallysprint, Carroll scored maximum points for the third event in a row and with 113 points he has a healthy lead over Trevor Harding of Cashel, on 82 points. Next round is the Wexford Rally on September 15/16th and there is also a round in the International Cork 20 to be held on October 6/7th.
Weekend Fixtures
Saturday - Killalane motorcycle road races, Skerries, Co Dublin, roads close 10.30; Karting 'Race of Champions', Mondello Park, 9.0; Hillclimb, Golden Mile, Glentogher, CoDonegal, 11.15; Autocross, Ardmore, Athy, CoKildare, 1.30; RIAC Centenary Rally (Veteran,vintage classic Cars), starts Dawson Street, Dublin, 10.0.
Sunday - Killalane motorcycle races, roads close 10.00; Kart racing, Mondello Park, 9.0; Hillclimb, Glentogher, Co Down, 11.15; Forestry Stages Rally, Lismore, Co Waterford, 10.30; Hewison Trophy Autotest, Curragh Camp, 12.0; Bob Thompson Trophy M/C Trial, The Slade, Crooksling, CoDublin, 12.0; Autocross, Ardmore, Athy, 1.0; Noel Duffy Memorial M/C grasstrack races, Ardattin, Co Carlow, 1.0.
