Sport

Punchestown to feature horsepower not horses

Punchestown Racecourse will feature the running of the first ever Punchestown Rally Masters at the famous Co Kildare venue on…

By BRIAN FOLEY
Fri May 25 2001 - 01:00

Punchestown Racecourse will feature the running of the first ever Punchestown Rally Masters at the famous Co Kildare venue on Sunday.

Organised by the Carrick-onSuir MC and masterminded by the internationally renowned rally co-driver Ronan Morgan, the event has attracted a top quality entry headed by Andrew Nesbitt, Austin McHale and Billy Coleman.

Reigning Tarmac Champion Nesbitt is sure to be the pace setter at the wheel of a Subaru Impreza WRC in his first event this year.

The legendary Billy Coleman returns to the sport in a similar Metro 6R4 to the one he last drove in 1986 when his co-driver was Ronan Morgan. Frank Meagher in a Ford Focus is seeded number four, the number one dedicated to the memory of Bertie Fisher, Mark and Emma.

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The event will also mark the start of the Ford Ka Championship, with one of the 15 cars driven by the 2FM DJ's John Kenny and Ruth Scott.

John Carroll, Liam Denning, Barry Barrable and sisters Denise and Jenny Ryan (Athy), Emily and Catherine O'Mahony (Cork) are entered in the very competitive Ford of Ireland Ka series as well as nine newcomers.

The event starts at 10.30 a.m. with untimed runs followed by four timed runs from 12 noon over a 2.4 mile-course taking in the ambulance track around the perimeter of the racecourse, with the start-finish in front of the main grandstand.

Champion and current championship leader John Whelan, the Donegan Bros. Brendan, David and Pat, Mark Turley, Rod McGovern, Jonathan Fildes, Gordon Kellett and Robbie Bolger are the expected front runners in the RT2000 saloon encounter at Kirkistown, Co Down tomorrow.

After the loss of so many major motorcycle races, including the Isle of Man TT's and the North-West 200, road-racing fans will be delighted to learn that two of the big Southern meetings are confirmed - Dundalk on June 30th/July 1st and Skerries on July 7th.

Weekend Fixtures - Saturday: Motor Racing, Kirkistown, Co Down, 1.30 p.m.. Sun- day: Carrick-on-Suir MC, Punchestown Rally Masters Stage Event, Punchestown, Co Kildare, untimed runs 10.30 a.m.; timed runs 12.00 p.m.; Fastlane/CCM Motocross, Dun, Co Offaly, 12.00 p.m..