GERMAN driver Armin Schwarz was the convincing winner of the Manx International Rally, which finished in Douglas on Saturday after 30 stages. Irish Tarmac champion Bertie Fisher in his Subaru Imprezal set an early pace but, after leading on the first day, Fisher was forced out with engine trouble just as he began to consolidate his lead.
The fancied Renault Maxi Meganes failed to finish - Robbie Head crashed on the first stage and Serge Jordan's car retired with transmission trouble when second place was very much on the cards. The experimental engine failed in the works Ford Escort RS2000 driven by crowned British champion Gwyndaf Evans and Ulsterman Trevor Cathers, who was in contention for Group N honours in his Subaru Impreza, was also forced to retire.
Mark Higgins headed the Formula 2 category, second overall in a Nissan Sunny GTI, with Austrian champion Kurt Gottlicher third in a Ford Escort RS Cosworth. Tipperary driver Frank Meagher won the Manx last year in a Ford Escort RS Cosworth, on his way to the Irish Tarmac title. However, highest-placed Irish crew this time were Sean Campbell and David Gray of Newry who finished a creditable 10th overall and third Group N car in a Subaru Impreza. Another Northern Ireland driver, John Keatley, won the simultaneously-run historic race in a Porsche 911.
Brian Henry (Dundalk) and Hugh Maguire (Naas) clinched titles in two Formula Vee championships as a result of Saturday's motor races at Kirkistown, Co Down, the final meeting of the Northern Ireland season.
Philip Kehoe (22) of New Ross won his fourth race in a row in the Keatingstown Developments Formula Vee A series, but the title was won by Hearty by just one point from Pat Donegan (Kells), 137 points to 136. Tim Murray (Tara) won the B championship race from Dominic Dillon (Ballinasloe) but Maguire held on to finish sixth and win the championship by a point, 120 to 119.
Welsh rider Jason Griffiths, (28), scored three wins in yesterday's Killalane motorcycle road races, in north Co Dublin. Griffiths scored his first win in the Open 250-750cc brace and again in the Supersport 600 race. He then averaged 101.82 mph on his 750cc Honda to win the grand final setting fastest lap at 103.90 mph
Joey Dunlop had to withdraw from racing as his left hand was not strong enough following his accident in Latvia almost three months ago. His brother Robert, making a comeback after a serious crash in the Isle of Man in 1994, was second in the 125/200cc race.
