Michael Keohane (18) of Clonakilty will contest the 1999 Formula Europa Championship, starting with Sunday's opener at Zolder in Belgium. Other rounds for the 2.0 litre Opel-power racing cars are: June 6th Spa; June 13th Monza; June 27th Hockenheim; July 18th Donington; August 22nd Silverstone; September 5th Nurburgring; September 19th Mondello Park; October 3rd Zandvoort.
The round scheduled for May 16th in Austria has been cancelled, and a number of the top European Championship contenders are expected to race instead at Mondello in preparation for the Leinster Trophy meeting on September 19th.
Keohane is the youngest driver to win an Irish Formula Opel race, at Mondello last August, and is well prepared for the Euroseries.
Philip Kehone of New Ross is concentrating on the home series, which he leads after the first two races.
Michael Cullen leads the British Ford Fiesta Championship and competes in round two at Silverstone on Sunday.
The Hillgrove Hotel Stages Rally, run out of Monaghan on Sunday, is the third round of the RIAC/Red Mills National Rally Championship, with 3x3 stages at Knockor, Tymolland and Mullan, and service between Aughnacloy and Emyvale.
Gabriel Snow leads on 32 points, having won last Sunday's Circuit of Kerry when Niall Maguire lost out on a tie-breaker. Local man Maguire is down to 18 points and will no doubt push hard to improve his position in his home event.
The midget car racing championships get under way at Baltinglass on Sunday. The 850 cc class will be closely contested by Declan Nolan, Fran Brererton and Pat Cassidy. Pat Sheppard will have tough competition from Stephen Donohue, David Ashton and Dave Ryan in the 1000cc category. In the 1200cc class, Frank O'Connell is chasing three in a row, challenged by Keith Sheridan, David and Jason Lennon.
Fingal MC run a 17 race programme at Mondello Park on Sunday, over the 2,808 metres intermediate circuit, counting for the Irish and Clubman's Short Circuit Championship. Heading the bumper 180 strong entry is Ulsterman Kieran McCrory on a 600 Kawasaki, winner of two races in tricky conditions at the Co Kildare venue on March 28th.
