The Future of Irish Motorsport Secured – Dunlop Motorsport Ireland Awards 2013

A very successful year for Irish racing and rally drivers, both home and abroad, culminated with the Dunlop Motorsport Ireland Awards 2013 in Dublin this week. The highlight of the ceremony is marked by the presentation of the prestigious Manley Memorial Trophy to the International Driver of the year and the awarding of the Billy Coleman and Sexton Trophies to two of Ireland’s greatest prospects for future success.

 

Commenting at the awards, Joe Corcoran, President, Motorsport Ireland, said “2013 has been an amazing year for Irish Motorsport. We have had champions crowned in Europe, drivers becoming internet phenomena because of spectacular finishes in the USA; brothers battle it out for national championships and the list goes on. Today is about recognising these high achievers and identifying the future champions that will compete and win on the world stage for Ireland. With the talent that we are celebrating today I feel that the future for Irish Motorsport is looking very secure.”

 

The Manley Memorial Trophy is awarded by a select panel of motorsport media to the driver who has not only proven to be a success on the track but also has acted as a positive role model and ambassador for the sport. Joining such luminaries as Craig Breen and Keith Cronin, Derek Tohill, the current FIA European Rallycross Champion in the Touring Car category, was named Driver of the Year at the Dunlop Irish Motorsport Awards in Dublin.

 

Derek Tohill, commented, “Becoming the European Rallycross champion for the second time is a fantastic feeling and to have my continued efforts to win and improve recognised today has topped off my year. I hope that this belief in me will be reciprocated when I start next season and hopefully bring home another championship title for Ireland.”

 

An integral part of the Dunlop Motorsport Ireland Awards 2013 is the presentation of the Billy Coleman and Sexton Trophies to two up and coming drivers who have the potential to represent their Country at the highest levels. The winners both receive financial support to help them move onto the next step of the professional rallying and racing circuit but, more importantly, they benefit from the guidance of professionals that have assisted young drivers become international success stories in the past.

 

The Billy Coleman Award for the Young Rally Driver of the Year went to Monaghan’s Stephen Wright ahead of runners up Robert Duggan and Josh Moffett. Wright is one of Ireland’s best young drivers and was a runner up himself in the award last year. This year Wright put in some excellent performances which included victory in the Production Car class in the Irish Tarmac Championship and in both the Donegal International Rally and the Cavan round of the Dunlop National series. Wright will now receive €50,000 worth of support for the 2014 season when he intends to compete in the Belgian Rally Cup.

 

The Dunlop Sexton Trophy for the Young Racing Driver of the Year was awarded to Niall Murray ahead of runners up Stephen Daly and Jonny McMullan. The Dublin driver excelled in his début year in FormulaFord, with the highlight being his victory in the internationally recognised Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch at the end of the season, when he defeated a top class field from many countries to win the Final.

 

Motorsport Ireland continued to honour all their National Champions at the lunch as well as individuals that have contributed to the sport throughout the year.

 

The Ivan Webb Memorial award for Most Outstanding Contribution to Irish Motorsport went to Ann FitzGerald from Carrick-on-Suir Motor Club who has been an integral part of the Irish motorsport community for many years. The JC Millard Memorial Award for Clubman of the Year went to Marty Kinsellafrom Wexford Motor Club for his contribution both as an organiser and a competitor.

 

Other awards presented at the ceremony are listed below

 

Motorsport Ireland Dunlop Champions of Irish Motorsport Awards

Winners:

 

International Driver of the Year Award – Derek Tohill

Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year – Stephen Wright

Dunlop Sexton Young Racing Driver of the Year – Niall Murray

Dunlop National Stage Rally Champion Driver – Declan Boyle

Dunlop National Stage Rally Champion Navigator – Brian Boyle

National Forestry Rally Champion Driver – Michael O’Brien

National Forestry Rally Champion Navigator – James O’Brien

National Navigation Trial Champion Driver – Andy Mackarel

National Navigation Trial Champion Navigator – Liam Higgins

Tarmac Rally Organisers Association Champions – Garry Jennings & Kevin Flanagan

 

National Autocross Saloon Champion – Ian O’Connell

National Autocross Special Champion – Padraic McHale

National Autotest Champion – Steven Ferguson

National Hillclimb / Sprint Champion – Simon McKinley

Clubman of the Year Award – Marty Kinsella

 

National Racing Champion – David Kelly

 

National Kart Champion (Formula Rotax 125 Max Class) – Shane Crosbie

National Kart Champion (KF3 Class) – Christopher O’Callaghan

National Cadet Class Champion – Harry McGovern

National KZ2 Class Champion – James O’Keeffe

National Super 4 Class Champion – Gabriel Lodge

 

Most Outstanding Contribution to Irish Motorsport – Ann FitzGerald

 

2013 table of winners

Clubman Champions

Title & Trophy	Winner	Presented by
National Autocross Saloon Champion	Ian O’Connell	Frank O’Connell – Chair of Autocross Committee
National Autocross Special Champion	Padraic Mc Hale	Frank O’Connell
National Autotest Champion for 12/13 Winner of the Hewison Trophy	Steven Ferguson	Joe Corcoran – President of Motorsport Ireland
National Hillclimb/Sprint Champion	Simon McKinley	Tommy Murphy – Chair of Hillclimb & Sprint Committee
Clubman of the Year Award Winner of the J.C.Millard Memorial Trophy	Marty Kinsella	Dermott Quigley, Chair of the Selection Committee to read citation. A member of the Millard Family to present Award.

 

Kart Race Champions

Title & Trophy	Winner	Presented by
National Junior Kart Champion – from the KF 3 Class Winner of the Neil Shanahan Memorial Trophy	Christopher O’Callaghan	Liam Shanahan – Father of the late Neil Shanahan
National Kart Champion – from the Formula Rotax 125 Max Class Winner of the King Hussein of Jordan Trophy & 125 Max Trophy	Shane Crosbie	Pat Sheil – Chairman of MI Kart Race Committee
National Cadet Class Campion Winner of the Dunlop Karting Champion Trophy	Harry McGovern	Pat Sheil
National KZ2 Class Champion Winner of the Waterford Glass Trophy	James O’Keeffe	Pat Sheil
National Mini Max Champion	William Harron	Pat Sheil
National Super 4 Class Champion Winner of the Martin Keegan Memorial Trophy	Gabriel Lodge	Pat Sheil
National Junior Max Champion Winner of the Johnny Brennan Memorial Trophy	Cathal Mullins	Pat Sheil

The following high achievers during the year were acknowledged:

1. Craig Breen
2. Paul Nagle
3. Charlie Eastwood
4. Keith Cronin
5. Aron Smith
6. Matt Griffin
7. Murphy Prototypes
8. Damien Faulkner
9. Peter Dempsey
10. Joe Reynolds
11. David Dickenson
12. Killian Duffy
13. Derek Tohill
14. Daniel McKenna
15. Kevin O’Hara

Outstanding Achievement Awards

Title & Trophy	Winner	Presented by
International Driver of the Year Award Winner of the Manley Memorial Trophy	Derek Tohill	Shelagh Manley

 

Title & Trophy	Winner	Presented by
Award for the Most Outstanding Contribution to Irish Motorsport Winner of the Ivan Webb Memorial Trophy	Ann Marie Fitzgerald	Michael FitzSimons, Chair of Selection Panel to read citation and present Award.

 

Racing Champions

 

Title & Trophy	Winner	Presented by
National Racing Champion Winner of the Dunlop Hawthorn Trophy	David Kelly	Steve Lynch Marketing & PR Manager Goodyear Dunlop Ireland

Rally Champions

 

Title & Trophy	Winner	Presented by
Dunlop National Stage Rally Champion Driver – Winner of the Vard Memorial Trophy	Declan Boyle (Unable to Attend) Richard Talbot accepting on his behalf	Leslie Vard R.Talbot is Chair of the Dunlop C/ship Committee
Dunlop National Stage Rally Champion Navigator – Winner of the Noel Smith Memorial Trophy	Brian Boyle (Unable to Attend) Richard Talbot accepting on his behalf	Leslie Vard (on behalf of the Smith family)
Tarmac Rally Organisers Association (TROA) Champions	Gary Jennings (Driver) Kevin Flanagan (Nav.)	Ger Healy, Chair of Rallies Committee
National Forestry Rally Champion Driver (His Navigator is Greg Shinnors) Winner of the Doc Jackson Memorial Trophy	Michael O’Brien	Ger Healy
National Forestry Rally Champion Navigator (His Driver is Owen Murphy) Winner of the Ger Fahy Memorial Trophy	James O’Brien	Ger Healy
National Navigation Trial Champion Driver 12/13	Andy Mackarel	Ger Healy
National Navigation Trial Champion Navigator 12/13	Liam Higgins	Ger Healy

 

 

Young Rally Driver of the Year for the Billy Coleman Award

 

All the contenders for the award:

Josh Moffett, from Clontibret, Co.Monaghan

Dean Raftery, from Craughwell, Co. Galway

Stephen Wright, from Newbliss, Co. Monaghan

David Carney, from Westport, Co. Mayo

Gary Kiernan, from Bailieborough, Co. Cavan

Robert Duggan, from Killarney, Co. Kerry

Kevin Eves, from Pettito, Co. Donegal

Following Interview Process on 19^th November – the TOP THREE FINALISTS were;

Robert Duggan

Stephen Wright

Josh Moffett

Title & Trophy	Winner	Presented by
Young Rally Driver of the Year Winner of the Billy Coleman Award	Stephen Wright	Billy Coleman

Young Racing Driver of the Year for the Dunlop Sexton Trophy

Contenders for the award:

April – Sean Doyle, from Wicklow, Co. Wicklow

May – Niall Murray, from Firhouse, Co. Dublin

June – Stephen Daly, from Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath

July – Colm Blackburn, from Ballyfermot, Co. Dublin

August – Sean Lillis, from Kilsallaghan, Co. Dublin

September – Jonny McMullan, from Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim

Following Interview Process on 6^th November, the TOP THREE FINALISTS were:

Stephen Daly

Niall Murray

Jonny McMullan

 

Title & Trophy	Winner	Presented by
Young Racing Driver of the Year Winner of the Dunlop Sexton Trophy	Niall Murray	Steve Lynch Marketing & PR Manager Goodyear Dunlop Ireland