Cronin wins Pirelli BRC Star Final Shootout.

Keith Cronin is 2009 Pirelli BRC Star Driver

Posted: October 12, 2009 12:26 PM

Newly crowned British Rally Champion, Keith Cronin has added the 2009 Pirelli BRC Star Driver prize drive to his portfolio in what has been an astounding year for the 23 year old Irishman.

The popular West Cork youngster and his co-driver Greg Shinnors impressed the panel of judges sufficiently that their decision to award the fully funded drive in the 2010 MSA British Rally Championship was unanimous after the two day assessment.

Seven drivers attended the shootout which was held for the first time at the Sweet Lamb Rally Complex in mid Wales, one nominated from each of the six rounds of the 2009 BRC, plus the Swift Sport Cup Junior Champion.

The two day event provided a mix of tests including an assessment on their pacenote making skills, TV interviews, knowledge of the FIA regulations but the predominant spotlight focused on their driving performance using both a two wheel (Suzuki Swift) and four wheel drive rally car (Subaru Impreza).

BRC Manager and non-voting chairman of the judging panel, Mark Taylor “The two mile stage was a fabulous mix of corners and terrain, add to that the spice of recent torrential rain, the changeable Welsh surfaces, made for a very fitting and demanding test.”

“Giving consideration that if any of the finalists had slide off the road, or had crashed the car they would be have been instantly excluded from the competition, the pressure was on each of them was immense. With that in mind, all of the competitors presented themselves extremely well. They were an excellent bunch of finalists, the standard of drivers was the best yet in the three years we have run this competition and all of them should be extremely proud of their performances. I wouldn't be surprised to see many of this year’s finalists back here again in 2010.”

In the end, the Panel of five judges comprising Paul Hembery, Pirelli Motorsport Manager Worldwide, Wayne Nickless and Martin Pallot from Pirelli UK, Phil Mills WRC co-driver and Risto Laine, Rally Finland Manager [AUDIO], voted unanimously for Keith Cronin who impressed them as an all round driver, a clear winner of a tough two day final shootout

Audio Clips on:

British Rally Championship

Photos

Posted: October 9, 2009 12:07 PM

Jakob Ebrey Photography

Posted: October 9, 2009 12:02 PM

Keith Cronin and Greg Shinnors in action on the Pirelli BRC Star Final Shootout.
Photo: Jakob Ebrey Motorsport Photography

Cronin Wins Pirelli Shootout !

Posted: October 8, 2009 5:24 PM

Keith Cronin and Greg Shinnors capped off a near perfect year in Wales today with an outstanding performance in the Pirelli UK Star Driver Shootout.

The reigning British Rally Champions took on 6 other finalists, all of whom have performed remarkably well during the year. Over the two days they were assessed on their pacenote making skills and interview skills but the driving was really what it was all about.

This was conducted over a two mile stage in the Sweet Lamb rally complex in west Wales. Two cars were used over the test and each of the finalists had to traverse the stage in a front wheel drive Suzuki Swift and in a 4 wheel drive Subaru.

Despite not having driven a front wheel drive in anger since 2006, Keith was second fastest of the finalists in the little Suzuki pocket rocket. He was beaten only by Luke Pinder, who drove the Suzuki on this years BRC.

The Subaru that was being used was no stranger to Keith as it had started every BRC round this year (except Yorkshire) in front of him, being driven by Mark Higgins. Keith adapted to that car too and was fastest of all the drivers this time.

There were five judges and they voted unanimously to give the prize to the West Cork man!
This should ensure that the Cronin Motorsport crew will return to the BRC in 2010 to defend their title.

Keith Cronin Rallying