MOTOR SPORT:BORIS IVANOWSKI, the Russian racing driver, goes down in the annals of Irish sporting history as the winner of the first Irish Grand Prix at Phoenix Park in 1929. Events marking the 80th anniversary commence on Sunday with a parade of racing cars through the city centre as part of Dublin's St Patrick's Festival.

In the weeks leading up to this year’s races on August 8th-9th, there will be a motor racing exhibition in the Phoenix Park visitors centre.

The Irish racing season roars into action on Sunday at Mondello Park, with a 10-race programme for Formula Sheane, Formula Ford, Formula Vee, Strykers, saloons and historics. Previous winners Donie O’Sullivan (’08) in a Proton S2000 and Denis Cronin (’05) in a Subaru WRC lead off the 151-strong entry in the 31st West Cork Rally, run out of Clonakilty on Saturday and Sunday. John Dalton in his fleet Darrian T60 GTR will be hoping to improve on his second place last year, while Liam McCarthy in a Toyota Corolla WRC is still chasing that elusive win in his home event

WEEKEND FIXTURES: Saturday – Cork MC, West Cork Rally, starts Clonakilty, 9.45am; Leinster MC, Sportring Trial, Ballybrew, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow, 11.30am. Sunday – West Cork Rally, re-starts Clonakilty, 9.30am; Co Kildare MC, Motor Racing, Mondello Park, 10.30am; Carlow CC, Tynagh Sprint, Co Galway, 10.30am.