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:
- Craig Breen
- Paul Nagle
- Charlie Eastwood
- Keith Cronin
- Aron Smith
- Matt Griffin
- Murphy Prototypes
- Damien Faulkner
- Peter Dempsey
- Joe Reynolds
- David Dickenson
- Killian Duffy
- Derek Tohill
- Daniel McKenna
- 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 |
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 19th November – the TOP THREE FINALISTS were;
Robert Duggan
Stephen Wright
Josh Moffett
Title & Trophy | Winner | Presented by |
Young Rally Driver of the YearWinner 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 6th 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 |