For Formula One fans planning to visit a Grand Prix next year, or watch the World Championship series on television, the provisional calendar for 1998 is as follows: Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne - March 8th; Brazilian Grand Prix, Interlagos - March 28th; Argentinian Grand Prix, Buenos Aires - April 12th; San Marino Grand Prix, Imola, Italy - April 26th; Spanish Grand Prix, Barcelona - May 10th; Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo - May 24th; Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal - June 7th; British Grand Prix, Silverstone - July 12th; Austrian Grand Prix, Spielberg - July 26th; German Grand Prix, Hockenheim - August 2nd; Hungarian Grand Prix, Budapest - August 16th; Belgian Grand Prix, Spa Francorchamps - August 30th; Italian Grand Prix, Monza - September 13th; Luxembourg Grand Prix, Nurburgring, Germany - September 27th; Portuguese Grand Prix, Estoril - October 11th; Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka - November 1st.
The French Grand Prix is not listed on the draft calendar, due to a dispute over television rights, but the omission of a French round of the World Championship is unlikely to be allowed. The traditional date would be between the Canadian and the British, which would be June 28th or July 5th. Estoril may not host a Portuguese Grand Prix, in which case the race would mostly likely be held at Jerez in Spain. The German Grand Prix usually follows the British, but there is a change next year in that the Austrian Grand Prix on the A1 Ring at Spielberg is slotted in between the British and the German.
The World Championship had 17 rounds in 1997, and unless the French Grand Prix is confirmed, the series would be down to 16 Grand Prix next year.
An Irish Grand Prix was held in the Phoenix Park for three years, 1929-1931. These races were contested by all the big works teams of that era, Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz, Bentley, Riley and MG, the first two races won by Boris Ivanowski (Russia) driving an Alfa and Rudolf Caracciola (Germany) driving a Mercedes. It is possible that we could have an Irish Grand Prix in five to 10 years from now, but an Irish round of the World Rally Championship is no longer even whispered about, even though we have the finest rally stages in the world. It's all down to money and lack of the resources required to run an event of such magnitude, which would call for thousands of officials and helpers on a voluntary basis.
Fourteen events are listed in the 1998 World Rally Championship: Monte Carlo Rally - January 17th/21st; Swedish Rally - February 5th/8th; Safari Rally Kenya - February 27th/March 2nd; Portuguese Rally - March 22nd/ 25th; Rally Catalunya - April 19th/22nd; Rally de France, Corsica - May 3rd/6th; Rally Argentina - May 20th/23rd; Acropolis Rally, Greece - June 5th/6th; Rally New Zealand - July 24th/ 28th; Rally Finland - August 21st/23rd; Rally Indonesia - September 18th/20th; Rally San Remo, Italy - October 10th/11th; Rally Australia - November 5th/ 11th; RAC Rally, Britain - November 21st/23rd.
All of the dates are provisional, with the Indonesian Rally to be clarified following observer's report.
Dublin-born Noel Dunne, now living in Naas, and Mark McKenna (Swords) finished on equal points in the Ford of Ireland, Formula Ford Zetec Championship, 77 points each. The title goes to Dunne, who had four championship race wins. Ulstermen Jeff Wright (74 points) and George McAlpin (59) were third and fourth, respectively; Peter Walsh (Cork) was fifth on 58 points and Northern driver Chris Paul was sixth on 52 points.
"The inaugural year of the Ford of Ireland Formula Ford Zetec Championship has been an overwhelming success," commented Carol-Ann Heavey, Public Affairs Manager, Henry Ford & Son Ltd, at the Formula Ford Association prize giving.
"Given the time it took the equivalent Zetec Championship to get off the ground in Britain, the rapid progress here has been remarkable. We were confident that the more powerful Zetec 1800 engine would bring the series up to a higher level, but couldn't have anticipated such competition at this early stage. With several promising drivers joining them from other classes, not least RIAC/Dunlop Sexton Trophy winner Neil Shanahan, we are in for some exhilarating racing next season," concluded the former Irish swimming star. Formula Ford 1600 Star of Tomorrow winner Shanahan was nominated Dunlop Driver of The Month for May, and Formula Ford Zetec drivers Jeff Wright (Bangor) and Philip Kehoe (New Ross) were nominated in August and September.
Results: Grade A 1 - Andrew Perry 177 points; 2 - Gareth Andrews 135; 3 - Brian McLoughlin 121; 4 - Colin Perry 117. Grade B 1 - Stuart Martin 167; 2 - Aaron Tracey 89; 3 - Robert Jennings 67; 4 - Alan Claffey 65. Grade C 1 - David Lawless 148; 2 - Johnny McKimm 142; 3 - Raymond Tolan 127; 4 - Darren Gazzard 115. Junior 1 - Michael Burton 100; 2 - Eric O'Sullivan 88; 3 - Sam McCallion 45; 4 - Graham O'Neill 45. Pre `65 1 - Nigel McKinstry 77; 2 - Brian Martin 30; and 3 - Victor Hume 30; 5 - David Coughlan, Bobby McKee and Stuart Martin 20.
Weekend Fixtures
Saturday - MEC Sporting Trial, Red Bog, Blessington, 12.0; Munster MC & LCC, Navigation Rally, starts Macroom, 23.30.
Sunday - - LMC Motorcycle Trial, Sloggers, Glenasmole, Co. Dublin, 12.0.
Irish motorcycle sport, including results of all Southern road races over the last two years, is now on the Internet, on: http:/aoife.ic-acj/ index.html or search for ACJ Timing on the net.
