The crowds at a sun-drenched Mondello Park gave a warm welcome to Jordan Formula One driver, Damon Hill, when he made a guest appearance at the Toyota Leinster Trophy meeting yesterday.
The 1996 world champion got a well-deserved homecoming for scoring the first victory for Eddie Jordan's team in the recent Belgian Grand Prix.
World rally champion, Carlos Sainz, and Irish champion, Austin McHale, thrilled the crowds in a pair of Toyota rally cars on Saturday. Jordan won the Leinster trophy back in 1978 and yesterday's race for the Formula Opel Euroseries was won by Etienne van der Linde of South Africa from Andrew Kirkaldy from Scotland.
There was Formula One noise, spectacle and a new 85.81 m.p.h lap record by winner Nigel Greensall driving a Tyrrell in the Toyota Boss race. Rob Gray was second from Klass Zwart after a close race.
In two days packed with excitement, Dublin driver, Neil Shanahan clinched the Formula Ford Zetec championship. He dominated the race as championship rivals, Philip Kehoe, fell back to finish third and Chris Paul retired with suspension damage.
Leinster Trophy: 1, E Van der Linde 77 m.p.h; 2, A Kirkaldy; 3, D Malkin. Toyota Formula 1 - 1, N Greensall 78.85 m.p.h; 2, R Gray; 3, K Zwart. Fast- est lap: Greensall 85.81 m.p.h (record). Formula Ford Zetec 1, N Shanahan 73.32 m.p.h; 2, M O'Connor; 3, P Kehoe. Formula Ford 1600 1, I Newport 69.46 m.p.h; 2, A Dwyer; 3, T Rodger.
