MOTOR SPORT: Irish racing drivers from opposite ends of the country - Damien Faulkner from Co Donegal, and Michael Keohane from Co Cork - have two hugely important "showcase" races before the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on Sunday.
Faulkner has a "one-off" drive in the Porsche Supercup event and Keohane races in the International Formula Three Challenge.
After winning the European Formula Audi Championship in 2000, Faulkner competed in the Indy Lights series in North America last year, finishing third.
His most sensational performance was winning on the Texas Super Speedway at an average speed of 150.191 m.p.h., having set pole at an awesome 183.593 m.p.h..
Interestingly when Mika Hakkinen was without a Formula One drive in the early 1990s, he kept his hand in by driving in Porsche Supercup races.
Faulkner knows that he must grab this opportunity with both hands and post a strong performance if he is to further his professional racing career on the European scene. Following a successful test on Porsche's Weissach track in Germany, Faulkner is well prepared.
Keohane is currently fourth in the British Formula Three Championship, but did not have much luck in recent races.
A good showing in the International Formula Three Challenge would be a boost for the Irish driver.
Isle of Man TT winners Ian Lougher and Richard Quayle are listed in the record line-up for tomorrow's 57th Annual Skerries 100 motorcycle road races to be run over the Loughshinny Circuit in north County Dublin.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday: 57th Skerries 100 Motorcycle Road Races, Loughshinny, North Co Dublin, roads close 10am; Lurgan Park Rallysprint, Co Armagh, 10am. Sunday: Co.Cavan MC, Autocross, quarry off Ballybay-Cootehill Road, Cavan, 11 am; Wexford MC, Autocross, Oakland Quarry, New Ross, Co Wexford, 11am; Skibbereen & District CC, Autotest, Keohane's, Ballycurteen, Clonakilty, Co Cork, 11am.
