World Rally Championship star Craig Breen has told the finalists of
Motorsport Ireland’s Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year award
that winning the prestigious prize will put them on the fast-track to
international success.
Breen, who this year became the first ever driver from the Republic of
Ireland to secure a WRC works seat, said that you can trace his success
back to winning the Billy Coleman Award seven years ago.
It comes as Callum Devine (Co Derry), Gary McNamee (Co Meath) and Josh
Moffett (Co Monaghan) are officially announced as the finalists for the
2016 Billy Coleman Award.
The three drivers were chosen from a shortlist of eight candidates who
were nominated for the award on the merits of their performances during
the year. All eight faced a rigorous selection process which included
interviews from a panel of five judges comprising members of the media,
an official from Sport Ireland (formerly the Irish Sports Council)
current driver and a representative of Irish motorsport clubs.
The Billy Coleman Award is internationally-recognised as the most
prestigious accolade that any young driver on the island of Ireland can
aspire to. It comes with a prize valued at €50,000 in supports to help
the winner boost their career. All three finalists will be included in
the Team Ireland development programme run by Motorsport Ireland to
nurture and support young drivers.
Past winners have included many drivers who have gone on to compete at
the highest level, winning multiple British Rally championships and
flying the flag at European and World Rally Championship level. Breen
(26), who won the award in 2009, will drive for Citroën next season in
their newly developed C3 WRC car. He spoke about how important winning
the award was for his career.
Breen said: “It seems hard to believe that it is now seven years since
my trip to Dublin for my Billy Coleman Award interviews. I was nervous,
overdressed, but incredibly motivated.I had been given a lot of stick
during the year, as I had got my nomination through what was known then
as the National Junior Rally Championship, where a lot of my competitors
were driving budget cars, where as I was in a far superior R2 car. That
didn’t bother me though, I had my ticket in the door, and I was going
to
sell myself as best I could, as this was the next step on the way to my
dream.
“I remember the interview well, and we had a very clear and focused
plan
if we should win the award, and I did everything in my power to prove to
the panel that I had what it took to go all the way. I can still
remember getting the call, sitting at my desk in work saying that I had
won, and that was the day that my career really lifted off the ground.
“This year I got my big break in the WRC with the Abu Dhabi World Rally
Team, and of course now a two-year contract with Citroen.
“These past seven years all evolve from that day in Dawson Street in
2009. The plan was always to make it to where we are today, and even if
the journey hasn’t been how we expected, I am hugely grateful of the
opportunity that was given to me by Motorsport Ireland and the Irish
Sports Council, I wouldn’t be where I am today was it not for their
support.”
A spokesman for the Motorsport Ireland judging panel said: “Drivers who
win the Billy Coleman Award frequently go on to achieve great things in
their careers. With Craig securing a works drive for the 2017 World
Rally Championship all our young drivers can see that there is an
opportunity to succeed at the top of their sport.
“There is a wealth of driving talent in the country and an incredible
standard was set by all the drivers that were interviewed. Every one of
them deserved their opportunity but unfortunately only three can be
chosen.”
The three finalists for the Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year
are (listed alphabetically):
Callum Devine(age 22)Claudy, Co Derry
Gary McNamee (age 24)Oldcastle, Co Meath
Josh Moffett(age 24)Clontibret, Co Monaghan
The overall winner of the 2016 award will be announced at the Irish
Motorsport awards ceremony which will take place on Tuesday, December
13th. The winner will be expected to represent the sport at home and
abroad over the time that they hold the title of Young Rally Driver of
the Year. Motorsport Ireland’s Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the
Year award is presented annually and is supported by *Sport Ireland,
affiliated motor clubs *and *Motorsport Ireland*.
