MOTOR SPORT/News round-up: There is a variety of motor sport activity to blow away the Christmas cobwebs, starting on St Stephen's Day with the Dublin & District Motor Cycle Club's Annual Fancy Dress Trial in aid of Wireless For The Blind.

The traditional venue is The Slade, Crooksling, off the Dublin-Blessington Road near Saggart, and the fun and games begin at 11.30 a.m. The autotest experts will do their manoeuvres against the stop watches in the Trials Drivers' Club's handicap event at Red Bog, Blessington, which also starts at 11.30 a. m. And at Brinny, Co Cork, there will be lots of action in the Munster Motor Cycle and Car Club's autocross, starting from 10.30 a. m.

Highlight of the holiday will be the Carlow Car Club's Rallysprint at Mondello Park on Sunday (10.30 a.m.). This last event of the year has attracted over 180 entries. Brian Murphy, winner of the last rallysprint, tops the list, which also includes Niall Maguire, Kevin Barrett and David Breech.

Minardi completed their Formula One driver line-up yesterday when they confirmed the signing of young Hungarian Zsolt Baumgartner. The 22-year-old will join Italian Gianmaria Bruni and both drivers will be racing for the first time in a full Formula One season. Baumgartner has limited experience at the top level, having competed this year at the Hungarian and Italian Grand Prix as a replacement for the injured Ralph Firman.

MOTORSPORT FIXTURES

St Stephen's Day (Friday): Dublin & District Motor Cycle Club, Annual Fancy Dress, The Slade, Crooksling, Co Dublin, 11.30 a.m.; TDC, Autotest, Red Bog (rear entrance), Blessington, Co Wicklow, 11.30 a.m.; Munster Motor Cycle & Car Club, Autocross, Brinny, Co Cork, 10.30 a.m.

Saturday (Dec 27th): Cork MC, Autocross,Grancore, Clonakilty, Co Cork,11.00 a.m.; Co Cavan MC, Autocross, Ballybay-Cootehill Rd, Cavan, 10.00 a.m.; Leinster MC, Sporting Trial, Kilruddery, Bray, Co Wicklow, 11.30 a.m.

Sunday (Dec 28th): Carlow CC, Rallysprint, Mondello Park, 10.30 a.m.