MOTOR SPORT: Michael Keohane from Clonakilty, Co Cork, won two rounds of the 2002 British Formula Three Championship, and eventually finished sixth in the points in a traumatic season that saw him missing some races due to the untimely death of his father and mentor Paddy Keohane.
He is currently trying to raise the €1 million required to contest next year's British Formula Three series with a fully competitive team. Keohane has his sights focused on Formula One but is also looking at the US-based CART racing as an alternative.
Formula Ireland drivers Robbie Coleman, John O'Hara and Peter Walsh recently completed two days testing a Formula Three car at Mondello Park, courtesy of Sweeney Racing, owned by Dubliner John Sweeney.
Instead of taking up his first prize option of a Formula 3000 test, Formula Ireland champion Coleman has opted to concentrate on Formula Three.
The omission of Coleman from the final three nominees for the Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year and Dunlop Sexton Trophy awards has thrown Irish motor racing into a mixture of shock, disbelief and bitter disappointment.
Coleman had a great season winning six of the 10 rounds of the Formula Ireland Championship, including the Leinster Trophy race. He was second in the other four for a 100 per cent finishing record. O'Hara had three wins and Walsh one.
Coleman also had five pole positions and set two lap records, and is generally reckoned to be one of the most naturally talented Irish drivers for years.
The three nominated drivers who go forward for selection for the €32,000 prize are: 2001 winner Michael Devaney, Charlie Donnelly and Eoin Murray. The results will be announced at Monday's Alfa Romeo-sponsored Awards For Excellence in Irish Motorsport function in Dublin.
Devaney was fifth in the German-based Formula BMW Championship and is looking to compete in German Formula Three next year.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday - Midland MC, Navigation Trial, starts Stag's Head, Ballinalee, Co Longford, 21.01.
Sunday - Killarney & District MC, Historic Car Rally, HQ Dromhall Hotel, Muckross Road, Killarney, 09.00; Carlow CC, Rallysprint, Mondello Park, 09.30.
