IN karting, Clonakilty's Ronan Hennessy (18) secured a pair of third place finishes ‒ his first-ever podium places ‒ in last Sunday's Motorsport Ireland Karting Championships at Kartworld, Watergrasshill.

His maiden podium place came in the second round of the Iame X30 Senior Rotax series and soon after followed by a similar result in the IAME X30 Senior O-Plate final.

Showing good form in practice, the Clonakilty teenager qualified P4 for the second round race. With consistent lap times he was in the top three for most of the race, crossing the line in third behind the Buckley brothers, Tadgh (winner) and Jack, grandsons of Banteer rally driver Ger Buckley.

In the O-Plate final, Hennessy qualified P2. Unfortunately, his kart didn't get off the grid for the warm-up lap. As the rest made their way around the track Hennessy eventually got going but as he wasn't in his correct grid position and in accordance with the regulations he had to start from the back of the grid in 21st position.

Unfazed and keeping his composure he picked off no fewer than five karters within three corners. Continued progress required patience and race craft and he went on to take a superb third place with a remarkable drive during the 15-lap 11.14km race.

His performance augurs well for the season, knowing that he now has the pace of those at the top. In the first round last month in Kiltorcan, Co Kilkenny, he finished eighth. His next championship outing is at the WhiteRiver facility in Louth on June 28th.

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Ballygurteen's Michael Keohane continues his motor racing return this weekend in Brands Hatch for the second round races in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB series. Both of Sunday races are on the Indy circuit at the Kent venue (at 10am and 1.50pm) where his last competitive appearance was 24 years ago.

With two 45-minute test sessions on Friday, the 15-minute qualifying sessions on Saturday are at 12pm and 5.15pm. After the disappointment of non-finishes in the season opening two races in Donington Park a few weeks ago, the Masters category could be the primary aim for the Century Motorsport driver. That said, instinct is likely to change plans.

‘It's (Brands Hatch) a great circuit, right up there as one of my favourites. I haven't raced there as much as I have raced in Donington Park, but you can get into a nice rhythm although it is physically demanding.’