Motorsport Round-upAustin McHale faces probably his biggest challenge in the Trackrod Rally Yorkshire, the final round of the British Rally Championship. Having won a record five Irish tarmac championships and over 20 international rallies, he has what is likely his last chance of becoming the second Irish driver to win the British Rally Championship, which Billy Coleman won back in 1974.
McHale, on 90 points, trails Manx flyer Mark Higgins who leads on 96 points. Higgins only has to finish anywhere in front of McHale to win the championship.
The dilemma facing McHale is whether to throw caution to the winds or play it safe and pick up more than six points should Higgins run into trouble, be it mechanical, tyres or driver error.
The event runs today and tomorrow out of Pickering, with the stages in the forests of the North Yorkshire moors.
Ralph Firman drives for Team Ireland for the first time in tomorrow's second rounds of the new A1 Grand Prix series on the EuroSpeedway near Berlin.
Michael Devaney, who scored a single point for Ireland in the first A1 Grand Prix race at Brands Hatch, also races in Germany in the final round of the German Formula Three Championship at Oscherschleben. The Dublin driver is on course to finish second in the German Championship, a great achievement given he missed the opening races through lack of funding.
TODAY: Donegal MC, Donegal Harvest Rally, starts Bunbeg, 10.30am.
SUNDAY: Kerry MC, Autosolo, Tralee Racecourse, 10.30am; Castle AC, Autocross, Kilnaleck, Co Cavan, 10.30am.
