MOTOR SPORT: The series-long battle for Hewison Trophy points is set to go all the way down to the wire with three drivers in contention for autotest championship honours. After 10 of the 15 rounds Eddie Peterson on 240 points leads JJ Farrell (236) and Eamonn Byrne (234).
By Brian Foley
The final four rounds after Sunday's event in Monaghan are: MEC Freeman Cup Autotest on February 23rd; Killarney & District MC/Kerry MC on March 8th-9th; Co Kildare MC on March 23rd. The TDC's International Trophy Autotest is scheduled for March 22nd.
Meanwhile, Jordan Grand Prix is testing the new Formula One Jordan-Ford EJ13 at Valentia in Spain whilst the Irish team owner Eddie Jordan is desperately trying to tie up vital 11th-hour sponsorships in time for the new season, which starts with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 9th.
Bridgestone Motorsport has confirmed Jordan Grand Prix will race on Bridgestone tyres for a fifth consecutive year. Two of Jordan's three Grand Prix wins were scored on Bridgestones, the 1999 French and Italian Grands Prix, which were won by the subsequently sacked German driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen.
Speaking of the Bridgestone deal, Hiroshi Yasukawa, director of Bridgestone Motorsport said: "This is excellent news for Bridgestone as we consider Jordan to be an important asset to us."
Two great Irish motorsport enthusiasts Joe Hamilton and Liam Breslin died this month. Joe Hamilton (88) was chairman of the RIAC since 1985, during which time he was a staunch supporter of the many changes that have take place in the management of the sport.
Liam Breslin always kept in close touch with the sport which he served with great vigour for many years, especially in the organisation of the great Phoenix Park road races over three decades.
WEEKEND FIXTURES - Saturday: MEC Sporting Trial, Kilruddery, Bray, Co Wicklow, noon; Skibbereen & District MC, Navigation Trial, starts Timoleague, Co Cork, 9 p.m. Sunday: Co Monaghan MC, Hewison Trophy Autotest, Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan, noon.
