2013 Billy Coleman Award

Stephen Wright wins 2013 Billy Coleman Award

Posted: December 10, 2013 2:40 PM

The Billy Coleman Award for the Young Rally Driver of the Year went to Monaghan’s Stephen Wright, announced at the Dunlop Irish Motorsport Awards Lunch today.

MOTORSPORT IRELAND ANNOUNCE BILLY COLEMAN AWARD FINALISTS

Posted: November 22, 2013 9:00 AM

Motorsport Ireland has announced the three finalists for the Billy Coleman Award for Ireland’s Young Rally Driver of the Year.

The drivers who will go forward to the Motorsport Ireland Dunlop Champions of Irish Motorsport Awards on December 10 are

Robert Duggan, Josh Moffett and Stephen Wright,

where one will receive the Billy Coleman Award for Young Rally Driver of the Year.

Robert Duggan from Killarney won the Junior category of the Dunlop National Rally Championship. The 20 year-old scored maximum points in four of the eight rounds to take the title in only his second year of rallying.

The second finalist is Josh Moffett, a runner up for the award in 2012. The 21 year-old Monaghan driver won the Group N Production class in both the Dunlop National Rally Championship and the Valvoline Irish Forest Championship, and was runner up in that class in the Irish Tarmac Championship.

Stephen Wright from Monaghan is the final contender for this year’s Billy Coleman Award. The 24 year-old won the Production Car class in the Irish Tarmac Championship and in both the Donegal International Rally and the Cavan round of the Dunlop series.

The winner will receive €50,000 worth of support to compete in stage rallies nationally and internationally in 2014. The two runners up will receive free entry into a number of Motorsport Ireland permitted events during 2014. All three finalists will also receive the benefit of advice and assistance from Tom Walsh, Co-ordinator for the Billy Coleman Award.

The previous winners of the Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year Award include Gareth MacHale, Keith Cronin, Craig Breen and Daniel McKenna. In 2012, Cronin became only the fourth person in history to win three British Rally Championships, while Daniel McKenna recently won the Rally 2 category in the British Rally Championship, and the Pirelli Star Driver Award consisting of a fully funded drive in the 2014 British series using the latest specification Citroen DS3 R3T.

Young Rally Driver of the Year Finalists are announced

Posted: November 7, 2013 11:36 AM

Motorsport Ireland has announced the seven nominees for this year’s Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year award.

The nominees comprise the five bi-monthly winners from January-February through to September-October along with one wildcard, the highest placed driver from the Valvoline National Forestry Championship and finally the winner of the Junior category in the Dunlop National Rally Championship.

Josh Moffett from Monaghan was the first name on the list as he secured the January-February nomination for his results in the Galway International Rally and the opening round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship at Birr.

The March-April nomination went to Galway driver Dean Raftery, who won the Junior class in both the Munster and Carrick-on-Suir rounds of the Valvoline National Forestry Championship, and went on to become the Junior Forestry Champion.

In May-June, the outstanding young rally driver was another Monaghan man, Stephen Wright. The 23-year-old won the Group N Production Car class in both the Donegal International Rally and round 3 of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, the Cavan Stages Rally.

Mayo driver David Carney was the nominee for July-August, with a class win in the Tipperary Stonethrowers round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship and ninth place overall in Rally NI, the British Rally Championship section of the Ulster International Rally.

The final two-monthly selection was Gary Kiernan from Cavan, thanks to class wins in Clare, Donegal and Skibbereen during September-October, which clinched outright victory in the Border Championship and a class win in the Dunlop National series.

The wildcard for the award was given to Donegal’s Kevin Eves who had impressive results during the year in both tarmac and forestry rallies.

The line-up of seven nominees is completed by Kerry’s Robert Duggan, who won the Junior category of the Dunlop National Rally Championship.

All seven nominees will be interviewed by an independent panel with the list being narrowed to three finalists. The winner of this year’s Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year will then be announced at the Motorsport Ireland Dunlop Champions of Irish Motorsport Awards on December 10.

The winner will receive €50,000 worth of support to compete in stage rallies nationally and internationally in 2014. The two runners up will receive free entry into a number of Motorsport Ireland permitted events during 2014. All three finalists will also receive the benefit of advice and assistance from Tom Walsh, Co-ordinator for the Billy Coleman Award. Tom has been involved in the management and mentoring of young rally drivers in International competition for many years and has also acted as Clerk of the Course for Rally Ireland.

Kiernan gains Young Rally Driver of the Year nomination

Posted: November 7, 2013 11:36 AM

Gary Kiernan has been nominated for this year’s Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver Award for his performances in September and October.

The 22 year-old from Bailieborough, Co Cavan, drove his 1650 cc Ford Escort to class victories in Clare, Donegal and Skibbereen during the two months, which not only gave him a class win in the Dunlop National Rally Championship but also confirmed him as the overall winner of the Border Championship, which is based on class performances.

Gary began rallying in 2011, driving in a restricted number of events while he continued his studies, and this year was his first time to mount a serious campaign. Earlier in the season, successes in Mayo, Cavan and Sligo provided a solid points base and he kept the momentum going, to end the year in style.

He intends to finish the year with an outing in a larger, 2 litre Escort in the Killarney Historic Rally in December, and would like to contest rounds of the Dunlop National and Border series in this car next year, as well as the National sections of Irish International rallies. Another possibility is the British Rally Championship, if he were to win the Billy Coleman Award.

Gary has recently completed his degree in Agricultural Science at Dundalk Institute of Technology and works in the family pig farming business. His principal sponsors are Kiernan Milling, Buddy Kiernan’s Pub (Granard), SMH Rallybitz (Keady), Gordon Automotive, Fire Protection Ireland, Westenra Arms Hotel/Spy Nightclub, Bridge Tavern (Canningstown) and CMC Motorsport.

The winner of the Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year Award receives €50,000 worth of support to contest stage rallies nationally & internationally in 2014 along with the support of Billy Coleman co-ordinator, Tom Walsh, while the two runners-up will receive free entries into a number of MI permitted events in 2014, along with co-ordinator support.

Five bi-monthly winners are selected from January-February, through to September-October, joined by the winner of the Junior Championship in the Dunlop National series, the winner of the Junior class in the Valvoline National Forestry Championship, and a wildcard selection, as the award finalists.

Carney gains Young Rally Driver of the Year nomination

Posted: October 10, 2013 10:48 PM

David Carney has been nominated for this year’s Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver Award for his performances in July and August.

The 25 year-old from Westport, Co Mayo, drove his Citroen C2R2 Max to ninth place overall in Rally NI, the British Rally Championship section of the Ulster International Rally. He also scored a class win in the Tipperary Stonethrowers round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship.

David has concentrated on the British series this year, but had problems in some of the earlier rounds, overcoming gearbox trouble to finish the Pirelli International and being forced to retire from the Scottish Rally. Despite this, he holds third place in his class in the BRC points table and hopes to improve his position in the final round, the Sunseeker, later this month.

The Mayo driver has finished first and second in the Front Wheel Drive class in the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship in 2011 and 2012, and has also been runner-up and taken third place in Citroen Racing Trophy Ireland in the same years.

David has been rallying since 2006, and hopes to change his car for a Citroen DS3 for 2014, when he plans to again contest the British Rally Championship. He works in the family business, and his principal sponsors are Carney’s Quarry, Adventure West@Westport House, MCD Rally Services and The Mayo News.

The winner of the Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year Award receives €50,000 worth of support to contest stage rallies nationally & internationally in 2014 along with the support of Billy Coleman co-ordinator, Tom Walsh, while the two runners-up will receive free entries into a number of MI permitted events in 2014, along with co-ordinator support.

Five bi-monthly winners are selected from January-February, through to September-October, joined by the winner of the Junior Championship in the Dunlop National series, the winner of the Junior class in the Valvoline National Forestry Championship, and a wildcard selection, as the award finalists.

Wright gains Young Rally Driver of the Year nomination

Posted: July 26, 2013 9:35 AM

Stephen Wright has been nominated for this year’s Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver Award for his performances in May and June.

The 23 year-old from Newbliss, Co Monaghan, won the Group N Production Car class in both the Donegal International Rally and round 3 of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, the Cavan Stages Rally, taking seventh and sixth positions overall respectively.

Stephen began his motorsport career with kart racing from the age of twelve, turning to Autocross events four years later. He made his rallying debut in 2007 driving an Opel Corsa, and immediately showed promise by winning that year’s Junior class of the National Forestry Championship. He switched to a Ford Fiesta for the following year and was the Irish Fiesta Sport Trophy champion in 2010.

In 2012, Stephen tackled the Valvoline National Forestry Championship, winning the Group N Production Car class and finishing fourth overall in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. He qualified for the final stage of the Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year Award, going on to take one of the runner up positions.

Stephen’s plans for this year include completing the Irish Tarmac series, where he currently holds fourth position overall and is the leading Group N contender, as well as several of the remaining Dunlop National Championship rounds, and possibly some more gravel surface rallies.

His plans for 2014 depend on the outcome of this year, but he intends exploring all his options and would like to contest a number of European events.

Stephen works as a civil engineer in the family business. His principal sponsors are Killyhevlin Hotel & Health Club, Wright Concrete Products, Lafarge Tarmac, Donnelly Group and DMACK Tyres. He paid tribute to Keith Rainey for his excellent car preparation and to his sister Susanne who is his regular co-driver.

The winner of the Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year Award receives €50,000 worth of support to contest stage rallies nationally & internationally in 2014 along with the support of Billy Coleman co-ordinator, Tom Walsh, while the two runners-up will receive free entries into a number of MI permitted events in 2014, along with co-ordinator support.

Five bi-monthly winners are selected from January-February, through to September-October, joined by the winner of the Junior Championship in the Dunlop National series, the winner of the Junior class in the Valvoline National Forestry Championship, and a wildcard selection, as the award finalists.

Raftery gains Young Rally Driver of the Year nomination

Posted: June 16, 2013 7:55 AM

Dean Raftery has been nominated for this year’s Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver Award for his performances in March and April.

The 21 year-old from Craughwell, Co Galway, drove his Honda Civic to victory in the Junior class in both the Munster and Carrick-on-Suir rounds of the Valvoline National Forestry Championship. He finished in thirteenth position overall in the Munster event, beaten only by much more powerful cars, most of which also had the advantage of four wheel drive on the loose-surfaced forest tracks.

Dean started his motorsport career at the age of eight, contesting occasional kart races during the next few years, turning to Junior Rallycross events in 2007/08 and recording several class results. He then co-drove for his father and some others for a couple of years, and began driving in rallies himself in 2011.

In 2012, Dean tackled a full season of the Valvoline National Forestry Championship, winning the Junior title, taking second place in the two wheel drive category, and also taking the Junior class in the South East Stages series. He was chosen as a wild card selection to the final stage of the Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year Award, going on to take one of the runner up positions for the Award.

Dean’s plans for this year include the full Forestry Championship, and some selected rounds of the British Rally Championship to gain experience of the stages used. He has already shown his speed over unfamiliar stages with a great performance on the Pirelli International in Cumbria, which was unfortunately cut short when he was forced to retire following two punctures.

The young driver hopes to contest the complete British Championship in 2014, and would like to progress to the Junior World Rally Championship in the following years. Dean is currently in the final year of a Commerce degree at NUI Galway. His principal sponsors are Hankook Tyres, King Car Parts (Galway), Craughwell Tyre Centre, Millers Oils, and Galway Carbon.

The winner of the Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year Award receives €50,000 worth of support to contest stage rallies nationally & internationally in 2014 along with the support of Billy Coleman co-ordinator, Tom Walsh, while the two runners-up will receive free entries into a number of MI permitted events in 2014, along with co-ordinator support.

Five bi-monthly winners are selected from January-February, through to September-October, joined by the winner of the Junior Championship in the Dunlop National series, the winner of the Junior class in the Valvoline National Forestry Championship, and a wildcard selection, as the award finalists.

Moffett gains Young Rally Driver of the Year nomination

Posted: April 11, 2013 4:21 PM

Josh Moffett has been nominated for this year’s Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver Award for his performances in January and February.

The winner of the Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year Award receives €50,000 worth of support to contest stage rallies nationally & internationally in 2014 along with the support of Billy Coleman co-ordinator, Tom Walsh, while the two runners-up will receive free entries into a number of MI permitted events in 2014, along with co-ordinator support.

Five bi-monthly winners are selected from January-February, through to September-October, joined by the winner of the Junior Championship in the Dunlop National series, the winner of the Junior class in the Valvoline National Forestry Championship, and a wildcard selection, as the award finalists.

The 20 year-old from Clontibret, Co Monaghan, finished second in the Group N Production Car class in both the Galway International Rally and the Birr Stages Rally, the opening round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, taking ninth and tenth positions overall respectively.

He also finished seventh overall and fifth in his class in Limerick MC’s opening round of the Valvoline National Forestry Championship, and went on to take third overall in the next Forestry round, the Moonraker.

Josh started his motorsport career in circuit racing, in the British T-car Championship in 2007, aged just 14. In 2009, he contested the Dunlop Supercar series at Mondello Park, and scored a number of podium finishes.

He began rallying in 2010 driving a Peugeot 106, winning a Junior class in his first event, the Galway International, and continuing in this car into early 2011 before switching to his current Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX. A class win in the National section of the Donegal International was the highlight of the year.

2012 brought a busy programme of Tarmac Championship and Dunlop National rounds, taking seventh overall in the Donegal International and tenth in Galway. Towards the end of the year, he tackled some forestry rallies, winning Group N in the Glens of Antrim event and finishing an excellent second overall in Grizedale, in England’s Lake District.

Josh’s plans for this year include a full programme of rallies in the Tarmac, Dunlop National and Forestry Championships, and he hopes to obtain consistently good results during the year and win at least one of the titles.

The young driver hopes to progress to the European Rally Championship once he has proved himself in home based events. Josh is currently a design engineer/production manager in Combilift, who are his principal sponsor. He also has support from Aisle-Master, Pirelli, Curtis Instruments, PQE, Lowey Transport, The Fitness Habit, Metal Technology, and Gaffey Motor Factors.

Motorsport Ireland Website

Posted: April 11, 2013 4:19 PM

Motorsport Ireland