Ireland's Michael Devaney (right) heads to this weekend's Czech round of the A1GP Wold Cup of Motorsport aiming to make amends for the team's tough start to the season in last weekend's opening race in Holland. The 21 year old Rathfarnham driver endured a difficult weekend in Holland, but remains confident that A1 Team Ireland can return to the sharp end of the field at the 5.41km Brno track in the Moravia region of the Czech Republic, close to the Austrian border.

Set in a natural amphitheatre in the rolling countryside just outside Brno, the second largest city in the country after the capital Prague, the track winds its way across forested hillsides in a series of swooping downhill bends and challenging 90-degree corners. Long, fast straights run into tight corners that should produce spectacular overtaking manoeuvres as cars pull out of the slipstream and leave braking to the very last second.

Ireland's challenge this weekend will commence on Friday afternoon when Kildare's John O'Hara takes to the circuit for the Rookie Practice Session, undertaking important development work prior to handing over to Devaney for second practice. With Germany, South Africa, France and Mexico the most competitive teams in Holland, A1 Team Ireland is aiming to mount a strong challenge this weekend.

"We really had a tough time in Holland but we also know that we are a lot quicker than the results showed," says Devaney. "What we need in Brno is to have a clear run through practice and qualifying. I have no doubt we can be challenging the top teams and, more than that, if we can find the right set-up there's no reason we cannot be racing at the sharp end of the field all weekend. The team's worked hard – we just need to redouble our efforts to make sure we get it right all weekend."

"The Brno track is a real driver's circuit and some people have said it's a bit like Spa, so I am sure it will suit Michael extremely well," said Team Principal Mark Gallagher. "We are sure that Zandvoort created a unique set of circumstances which gave us a weekend to forget, so we've drawn a line under that. John O'Hara now has the benefit of having his first practice in A1GP behind him so I know he's looking forward to this weekend, while Michael is as determined as I've ever seen him. We are having a team meeting this evening (Thursday) to discuss the whole weekend ahead and do everything to ensure that both our drivers get the best possible chance to shine."