Ben Crealey Joins MSA Academy

Teenager Ben Crealey Joins MSA Academy Following Scottish Junior Rally Success!

Posted: November 19, 2013 11:19 AM

16 year old Ben Crealey, from Portadown has been elected into the prestigious Motor Sports Association (MSA) Academy programme following his superb second place in the 2013 Brick and Steel Junior 1000 Ecosse Challenge. The Year 12 pupil of St.Patrick’s Academy-Dungannon followed up his win in the 2012 Junior Rally Challenge Ireland, with second place on his debut season in Scotland, where the field often numbered over twenty 1000cc Junior rally cars.

This Junior rally class for 14-17 year olds is a magnificent stepping stone into the world of rallying, the teenagers learning many specialised techniques, and the Scottish series is the most hotly contested in the UK. Ben using a rally prepared left hand drive Nissan Micra has had two superb seasons having been successful in karting before-hand.
“It was great to take the Irish series last year” comments Ben. “This year however has been even more satisfying. We set out this season to be the first of the Micra’s home, but as the year progressed we realised that we could do even better and get second overall in the series. We battled with Michael Dickie in his Toyota Aygo, and we finished in front of him on the final two rounds. The last rally was quite difficult, having to maintain our position on the second day, and there were really extreme weather conditions, with a storm coming off the Irish Sea onto the track!”

The highlights of the Scottish season were second places on the Crail, Solway Coast and wins in Kames and on the final round which took place over two days in Angelsey, Wales.
“It’s been a great year and I have enjoyed it so much. The car has run perfectly and the co-drivers too have played a big part. Liam Regan did a superb job all year, and Solway Coast over the Dundrennan military ranges was a big challenge for the co-driver and the most exhilarating event of the year for me! Andrew Bushe was also great when he stood in for the Crail event, and I don’t want to forget John McBride who has kept the car right all year.”

Ben’s father Brendan, a former British Junior Rally Champion, and Mitsubishi works driver, has naturally been very supportive and P&O Ferries also came on board this season to help with those trips across the Irish Sea. For 2014 Ben has his GCSE’s ahead, and intends to study hard, as well as continue to play Gaelic Football for his local team. These other sporting past-times also help with fitness for the rallying.

Now also as part of the MSA Academy he will be attending different coaching sessions at Silverstone every six weeks, to further develop his driving and associated skills. The Academy aims to support talented young drivers in their careers.
“To be part of the MSA Academy is a real boost for me, and I intend to make the most of it. Next year we are planning to get another car up and running and venture into the Welsh forests for serious testing and tuition on real forest stages. The plan then would be to contest the MSA British Rally Championship in 2015, providing I can pass my driving test before-hand!”