2004-04-19 // Race Report Valencia Spain Round 3 & 4
Dunlop Motorsport Ireland Young Driver of the Year Eoin Murray Qualified 6th for round 3 of the European Alfa Challenge in Valencia in Spain on Saturday 17th April. After a gruelling race he eventually finished in 4th place, which positioned him well on row two of the grid for Round 4 on the Sunday morning.

In round 4 The Holfeld F1 Components backed driver starting from 4th on the grid joined a 3 car breakaway group of Dutch driver Tim Cornell & Italian ace Nino Campani. The three swapped positions lap after lap. With two laps to go, the young Irish driver, racing with support from the cream of Irish Motorsport; McHale, Carnegie & Griffin, made the break he needed and led all the way to the final corner where a tussle between Campani & Cornell saw Murray dispatched to the Gravel Trap.

He managed to extricate himself and get the car across the line but lost a further two places in the process eventually finishing fifth on the road. Campani & Cornell were penalised for their part in his demise and Murray was subsequently promoted to 3rd. small enough reward for a fantastic race where he showed the upper hand however he was delighted to get on the podium and get some valuable points. Afterwards a philosophical Murray said ‘’ I really enjoyed the race it was extremely tough but I had the measure of the front runners & I have had the consolation of the fastest lap of the race which is now also the lap record here at Valencia for an Alfa 147. Overall I am satisfied to have got on the podium I am really looking forward to Magny-Cours in two weeks time’’