KARTING: Kilrea to host Euro Deaf Karting event

Now in its 15 year, the event will welcome drivers from Belgium, Germany, Italy, England, the Republic of Ireland and a team from Northern Ireland.

Pro- Kart Racing in Kilrea will host the event on Saturday, May 22, from 10am.

The four-hour endurance race will see each of the teams splitting into two - with five drivers in each team.

Kilrea's Gary Stratton will drive for the Northern Ireland team.

And, he will be hoping that the home advantage will help his team to victory.

Set up back in 1996, by the Scottish Deaf Karting Club with just two teams competing, the championships have grown in popularity each year.

In 2005 the event name was changed to the Euro Nations Championships to include the European teams. This year will see a debut from the teams from Italy and Belgium.

The Northern Ireland team drivers are: Richard Croft (Antrim); Kyle Lyttle (Cookstown); Gary Stratton (Kilrea); Raymond Stevenson (Limavady); James Newell (Whiteabbey); David Hobson (Portadown); Clare O Connor (Craigavon); Louise Watterson (Castledawson); Graeme Browne (Bangor); Brian Babb (Belfast). The two subs are: Samantha Maher (Ballykelly) and Glen Ritchie (Craigavon).