THE race track in Snetterton has changed significantly since Michael Keohane competed in the Scholarship class within the British Formulas Championship in 2001.

Its extensive redevelopment, designed by circuit boss Jonathan Palmer in 2011, according to its website 'takes inspiration from a number of the world's leading motor racing venues' while also retaining 'the spirit of the original airfield layout.'

The Ballygurteen driver sampled the circuit during a test day a few weeks ago but he won't have the familiarity of his fellow drivers in the Porsche Carwow Carrera Cup Great Britain series this weekend for the third round series of races at the Norfolk track.

‘It's nice to have a win under the belt. Snetterton is probably the one track that I know the least,’ said Keohane.

‘I did a test there a while ago but it was in the wet and there's a lot of learning to be done for sure. There are some really tricky sections, especially the infield section while the outer section is extremely fast. There are not many places to overtake either.

‘From my previous times there, only a few of the corners are the same, so it will be a learning curve. I've looked and studied footage from the track and that is all part of the pre-event preparation.'

Team boss Nathan Freke is looking forward to the event following Michael's victory in the second race at Brands Hatch two weeks ago.

‘Hopefully, with the victory, we have got the monkey off our back now. We can carry on with the form that he showed in the second race in Brands Hatch,’ Freke said.

‘It's quite interesting with Michael, because he's done so much before. His attitude is, yes, he's in the Masters and obviously that's what he wanted to try and fight for the win in the championship. But also, the racer in him also wants to go up the grid and finish as high as he can, which I completely respect. And you know, I'm with it. I'm sure he's going to move forward as the season goes on.

‘I was looking at the results from the race (in Brands Hatch) and the ideal and theoretical best times, he's about six fastest. The pace is there, but it was just important just to get and see the chequered flag. He (Michael) stood on the podium, collected his trophy, smiles all around.’

There are two 45-minute test sessions on Friday and two 15-minute qualifying sessions on Saturday (12pm-12.15pm and 5.25pm-5.40pm). Sunday's races (14 laps) are scheduled for 10am and 3.15pm.

Michael Keohane celebrates his recent first victory in the Masters category of the Porsche Carwow Carrera Cup GB series at Brands Hatch with family and friends. From left, Mike O'Donovan, Martin O'Driscoll, Aidan Hennessy, Norma Hennessy, Simon Keogh (Wexford), Damien O'Donoghue, Maeve Keohane, Maura Keohane, Michaela Keohane, James Murphy (Wexford) and Timmy O'Leary. Front, Archie Murphy (Wexford) and Rory O'Driscoll. (Photo: Martin Walsh)

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In rallying and with the exception of Bandon co-driver Shane O'Mahony, locals were very much out of luck on Sunday's Carlow Rally, round three of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship.

O'Mahony partnered Kilkenny's Daire Gleeson (Ford Escort) to a 13-second victory in Class 11R. They led from the start until SS5 and entered the final stage 10.3 seconds off the lead but overturned the deficit to win by 13 seconds.

Ballylickey's Robert Cronin (Opel Corsa Rally4) retired with a broken front driveshaft on SS3.

Elsewhere, in Class 2 Rathbarry co-driver Joseph O'Sullivan and his Tipperary driver Jack Fennessy (Peugeot 208 Rally4) retired when they slid off on SS6 and got stuck in a drain.

In Class 9, Ardfield's Gary Lombard, co-driving for Waterford's Richie Power, were within sight of victory in Class 9 until they went off the road on the final stage and damaged the front of their Ford Escort.

Another West Cork co-driver, Lisavaird's Michael White and Donegal's Corey Eves had a tough event, they lost time on the opening stage and retired on SS7.

The event was won by Donegal's Michael Boyle (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2), who took his first victory since he won the Fastnet Rally last October. The 27-year-old finished 4.5s in front of Tyrone's Cathan McCourt, also in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 with championship leader Monaghan's Josh Moffett (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) 9s further behind in third.

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The Cork Motor Club's Spring Endurance Trial, a counting round of the Skoda Parts Ireland National Endurance Championship, takes place on Sunday.  Based at the Cullen GAA complex it will begin at 10am and is due to finish at 5pm. The route is some 180km in length including tests. Reigning national champion Ovens driver Owen Murphy (MG ZR) will be co-driven by Balincollig's Ken Carmody.  Ballineen's Johnny Kenneally/Martina O'Regan (Toyota Starlet) are also competing.