- by Ray Bernard
Keohane lands works Lola drive
17 February 2003: Top Irish International racing driver Michael Keohane from Clonakilty, Co Cork, has landed a works Lola F3 drive in the 2003 British Championship. The deal means that the 22-year-old will drive for the Irish owned Sweeney Racing team who are the official factory Lola F3 team for the British series.
The former Irish Kart Champion joins the team, which will use Opel engines, on the back of a successful debut season in the championship which spawned the careers of Rubens Barrichello, David Coulthard and Jordan Grand Prix rookie Ralph Firman. Last year Michael took two wins and finished on the podium eight times driving for Carlin Motorsport and despite missing five rounds, due to the untimely death of his father, the Cork ace still finished an excellent fifth in the overall standings.
Further Irish interest in the deal is that Lola Cars, the world's largest manufacturer of racing cars, is owned by Mayoman Martin Birrane. The Ballina born businessman is also the owner of Mondello Park, the Kildare race circuit where Keohane cut his teeth in car racing in 1997.
Consisting of 24 races run over 12 events, the 2003 British F3 Championship will see Michael race across the UK and in Belgium at the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit. He will also get the opportunity to impress F1 teams when the series supports the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in May.
Funded by the West Cork Racing Business Expansion Scheme, long time sponsor Clonakilty Black Pudding and Ibstock Brick, Michael will make his race debut in the new Lola on April 5/6 at Donington Park, Derby.
©2003 irishcar.com