Motor Sport: Clonakilty driver Michael Keohane faces the biggest challenge of his career next weekend when he tests for the Champ Car World Series with Dale Coyne Racing at Sebring Raceway, Florida.
For Keohane this is a major chance to break into big time professional motor racing. Having won two races in the British Formula Three Championship last year his season was sadly interrupted by the death of his father Paddy Keohane. He finished sixth in the series but this year he abandoned Formula Three after the winding up of Sweeney Racing and the uncompetitive Lola chassis.
A few outings in Formula 3,000 gave Keohane the appetite for more power and, which he certainly will experience at the wheel of the 750bhp Ford Cosworth-powered Lola champ car. The 23-year-old Corkman said "This test is very important. Champ Car racing is where I want to be next year and a strong test will help progress my plans. Dayle Coyne is giving me a chance to prove myself and I intend making the most of this fantastic opportunity. The Champ Car World Series is a proven route to Formula One and I hope to be a part of this top level professional series next year".
Michael Keohane could well be the first Irish driver to race in Champ Cars since Derek Daly last competed in the series 14 fourteen years ago. Indianapolis 500 winners Jacques Villeneuve and Juan Pablo Montoya made it to Formula One via American Racing, and more recently Cristiano da Matta, the 2002 Champ Car Champion, was signed by Toyota.
Meanwhile, Dermot Carnegie, Mike Manning, Lawrence Gibson, Andy Grant, George Tracey and Helmut Holfeld set a scorching pace at the recent opening round of the Irish Rallycross Championship at Mondello Park. Round Two is at the Co Kildare venue on Sunday.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday: GSMC, Sporting Trial, Aughfarrell, Brittas, Co Dublin, 11.30am; Co Monaghan MC, Navigation Trial, starts Scotstown, Co Monaghan, 9.01pm.
Sunday: Co Cavan MC, Stage Rally, starts Bailieboro, 9.30am; Carrick-On-Suir MC, Stage Rally, starts Carrick-On-Suir, 10.00am; Co Kildare MC, Rallycross, Mondello Park, 12.00pm; Munster MC & CC, 4x4 Trial, Rockgrove, Coachford, Co Cork, 12.00 pm.
