Kiernan gains Young Rally Driver of the Year nomination
Gary Kiernan has been nominated for this year’s Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver Award for his performances in July and August.
The 24 year-old from Bailieborough, Co Cavan, drove his Ford Escort to an overall victory in the Imokilly Rally at Dungarvan, as well as a class win in Tipperary and runner up position in Sligo. He has finished in top ten overall positions six times this year, despite strong opposition from drivers of four wheel drive cars.
Gary began rallying in 2011, driving in a restricted number of events while studying, and became a regular competitor two years later, winning the Border Championship outright, and taking his class in the Dunlop National Rally Championship.
He intends to finish the year with outings in Donegal, Skibbereen and the Killarney Historic Rally in December, and would like to contest the National Forestry Championship next year, possibly in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo.
Gary has a degree in Agricultural Science from Dundalk Institute of Technology and works in the family farming business. His principal sponsors are Kiernan Milling, Failte Bar (Bailieborough), Fire Protection Ireland, Buddy Kiernan’s Pub (Granard), SMH Rallybitz (Keady), Gordon Automotive, IDS (Port Laoise), Westenra Arms Hotel/Spy Nightclub, CMC Motorsport and Hoosier Racing Tyres.
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 2016 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 2016, 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 theTriton Showers National series, the winner of the Junior category in the Valvoline National Forestry Championship, and a wildcard selection, as the award finalists.
