Murray to return to Formula Ford 1600

Former Formula Ford Festival winner Niall Murray will return to single-seaters this season racing in the National FF1600 Championship.

The SEAT Supercup Ireland champion will race for Bernard Dolan Motorsport driving his Festival-winning Van Diemen RF99.

Murray said the attraction of a Road to Indy place for the champion played a part in him moving into the category.

Murray said: “It will be a very tough season with about five potential champions. With the prize to be in with a chance of a funded season in the USA for 2017, it adds an extra spice.” ● Ginetta Junior Ireland champion Jordan Dempsey will join Murray in the series this year. Dempsey will drive for his father’s Team MCP. It means that all of Motorsport Ireland’s Young Race Driver of the Year finalists will race against each other. Jake Byrne and James Roe have signed up.