Sport

Maguire takes rally lead

The Red Mills National Rally Championship moves to Clare on Sunday, with a new leader

By BRIAN FOLEY
Fri Jul 24 1998 - 01:00

The Red Mills National Rally Championship moves to Clare on Sunday, with a new leader. Following victory in the last two events, Niall Maguire of Monaghan takes over the series lead from Belfast dentist John Gilleece who missed two rounds as he was on vacation.

Maguire has pulled out a four-point lead, 78 to 74, and Gilleece will have to pull out all the stops to stay in contention as he is also under threat from the third-placed Daniel Doherty on 56 points and with six rounds yet to run. Gilleece is still on holidays and no doubt Maguire will further capitalise on the champion's absence. Maguire's Subaru Legacy will be extremely hard to catch over the 3x3 stages at Woodcock Hill, Elm Hill and Knappogue, during this eighth stage of the 14-round championship.

The most lucrative short circuit races of the season at Mondello Park will take place this weekend, the Birrano International `Race of The Year' meeting with a prize fund of £12,000, promoted by the MCUI (Southern Centre). For the first time the motorcyclists will compete on the new 2.25-mile international circuit. Racing starts at 4 p.m. tomorrow and at 11.50 a.m. on Sunday.

There is also motorcycle racing tomorrow, the 67th Temple 100 road races at Saintfield, Co Down, where all the Northern riders will be in action. The `Temple' is Ireland's oldest road race and favourites for race wins are James Courtney, Bob Jackson and Adrian Archibald.

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Points standings in the Irish Motocross Championship after three rounds are, Grade A: 1-P. McCullough 142; 2-R. McKeown 110; 3-A. Lyons 99; 4-T. Cubitt 92; 5-S. Russell & B. Steele 86. Grade B: 1-A. Holland 148; 2-J. Brennan 104; 3-T. Merton 92; 4P. Cash 92; 5-M. Graham 69; 6-J. McBride 63. Grade C: 1-B. Steenson 150; 2-K. Steenson 99; 3-K. Lawless 94; 4-R. Reddy 78; 5-S. Craig 71; 6-R. McKee 60.

The remaining three rounds will be: Skerries MCC - July 26th; Knock MCC - August 8th; Dundalk MCC - August 30th.

The Irish Schoolboy Motor Cycle Club has been invited by the Auto Cycle Union (UK) to host this year's Inter-Centre Team Motocross on September 12/13th at the Johnstown Moto-parc near Naas.

Tomorrow: 67th Temple 100 road races, Saintfield, Co Down, roads close, 10am. Motorcycle racing, Mondello Park, 4pm.

Sunday: Motorcycle racing, Mondello Park, 11.50; Clare MC Clare Stages Rally, starts Ennis, 11.30; TDC Autotest, Whitestown, near Baltinglass, Co Wicklow. 1.30.