Stuart Darcy to compete in BRC / 2002 Billy Coleman Award Launched

Posted: April 15, 2002 4:38 PM

Darcy's first event in the British Rally Championship will be the Pirelli International Rally at Gateshead which takes place 26th & 28th April. The seven event championship which takes in events in Wales, Scotland, The Isle of Man and Northern Ireland culminates of September 29th in York. Darcy also hopes to take part in a number of Irish events during 2002.

Still based in Killybegs, Darcy made his debut in Irish rallying in 1998. Since then he has become one of the most promising talents in the sport. His consistent successes since his first event culminated in winning the Billy Coleman Award in December 2001. The publicity from winning that award also helped bring him to the notice of Ford and gain their support for his assault on the British Championship this year.

Speaking in Dublin at the launch of the 2002 Billy Coleman Award Darcy said that the receipt of the award had been a major factor in securing additional support. He also noted that the ^À25,000 cheque which he received was being utilised in his 2002 campaign.

Also speaking at the Dublin event Cecil Sparks, Chairman of Motorsport Ireland, announced details of the Billy Coleman Award for 2002. He confirmed that this year the award which is jointly financed by The Irish Sports Council, Motorsport Ireland and a number of Ireland's Rally clubs is worth €30,000 to the eventual winner, He said that Motorsport Ireland were currently looking at ways to extend the scheme this year.