Sport

O'Hara aiming to go one better

MOTOR SPORT: John O'Hara put his name on the Leinster Trophy in 2001, alongside such famous previous winners as world champions…

Brian Foley
Fri Sept 12 2003 - 01:00

MOTOR SPORT: John O'Hara put his name on the Leinster Trophy in 2001, alongside such famous previous winners as world champions Mike Hawthorn, Ayrton Senna and Mika Hakkinen.

The Co Kildare driver can go one better on Sunday by adding a second Leinster Trophy win to his impressive c.v. in Irish motor racing.

But before that he has important business at Mondello Park tomorrow in the final round of the Formula Ireland Championship, which he leads on 110 points from Paul Dagg and Alan Dwyer, on 85 each. Paul Sammin is fourth on 81, ahead of Emmet Queenan (78) and Mark Sheahan (62).

Several other championships will also be decided at Mondello. Pat Donegan on 124 points leads his brother David (117) and Morgan Dempsey (91) in the Dunlop Supercar series, followed by Robbie Bolger (87), Rod McGovern (86), Noel Dunne (85) and Brendan Donegan (80). Liam Denning on 137 points leads Karl Leonard (115) and Quentin Smith (76) in the Fiat Punto Abarth Cup. There will be double races for both the Supercars and the Abarths on Sunday.

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There is lots of close competition too in the Formula Sheane Rover Championship, of which tomorrow's race is the penultimate round, the final being at Kirkistown on September 27th. The leaders are Brian Hearty (101), Matt Dunne (90), Enda O'Connor (86), Breen White (79).

The busy programme for the final big meeting of the year at Mondello is as follows: Saturday - 2 p.m. Formula Ford/Formula Libre; 2.23 Strykers; 3.15 Formula Ireland; 3.40 Fiat Uno; 4.05 Sportscars; 4.30 Porsches; 4:55 Fiat Punto; 5.20 Sidecars. Sunday - 12.05 Formula Libre; 12.30 Sidecars; 12.55 Formula Vee; 2.00 Leinster Trophy Qualifying; 2.25 Fiat Punto Abarth; 2.55 Dunlop Supercars; 3.25 Historics; 3.55 Leinster Trophy; 4.30 Fiat Punto Abarth; 5.05 Dunlop Supercars; 5.30 Formula Vee.

Also listed for the weekend is the two-day Wexford Rally, run out of Rosslare with Rally HQ at the Crosbie Cedars Hotel, and a Hewison Trophy Autotest at the Curragh Camp. The Limerick autocross scheduled for Sunday is cancelled.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

Saturday & Sunday - Co Wexford MC, Wexford Rally, starts Rosslare, 9 am; Motor Racing, Mondello Park, starts 2 pm and noon.

Sunday - MRCCI, Midget Car Racing, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, 2 pm.