MOTORSPORT Dempsey's Hopes Dashed in Star Mazda Championship

In a dramatic end to a great season, Peter Dempsey's hopes of becoming the Star Mazda champion were dashed at Laguna Seca in California. The Ashbourne driver dominated both practice sessions and qualifying, starting from pole position for the fifth time this year, and only needed to finish seventh in this final round to take the title.

However, he dropped to third place at the start and was then hit from behind on the opening lap, spinning him off, rejoining in last place. The double Young Driver of the Year Award winner recovered to eleventh place by half distance, setting the fastest lap of the race, but was involved in another tangle and was forced to retire, letting his rival Adam Christodoulou win the race and the championship.

The hugely disappointed Irishman still took runner up position in the points table thanks to his five wins during the year against Christodoulou's three victories.

Wicklowman Jeff Collier won his class and finished in second position overall at Dijon, in France, to clinch the European Championship for Radical sports cars.