Greystones driver in running for award
A Le Mans series driver, a 17-year-old Supercar pace setter and an Irish driver making his mark in the USA are the three drivers selected as finalists in the Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year award.
Charlie Eastwood (23), from Castlereagh, Belfast has been named alongside 17-year-old Cameron Fenton, Greystones, Co. Wicklow and James Roe (20), from Bodenstown, Co Kildare, in the race for the prestigious Sexton Trophy and €50,000!
The three drivers were drawn from six candidates who were nominated on the back of their performances during the course of this year. They were selected from a range of track racing disciplines and underwent a rigorous selection process in front of a judging panel made up from representatives of the racing community and the media.
Cameron Fenton competed in the domestic supercar championship, winning 7 out of 12 races and where he was the unchallenged pace-setter, both in race results and lap times. He missed out on the championship by one point due to car reliability issues.
“This is an outstanding testament to how our young drivers are progressing in the sport today.” said John Naylor, President of Motorsport Ireland when told of the finalists. “Whoever wins this year’s title will have won it against the stiffest opposition possible. Good luck to them all”.
The Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year award and the historic Sexton Trophy are presented to the individual who has demonstrated the most potential to represent Ireland at home and internationally both on the track as well as in the public eye. The winner will receive a €50,000 support package to help develop their motor racing career.
In addition, all three finalists will be included in the Team Ireland development programme run by Motorsport Ireland to nurture and support young drivers.
The current Motorsport Ireland Young Driver of The Year, Jordan Dempsey, concluded a very dominant run in the FIA F4 Chinese Championship by clinching the driver’s title in what was his maiden season in the class.
The overall winner of the 2018 award will be announced at the Irish Motorsport awards ceremony which will take place on Tuesday, December 4, at The Round Room at The Mansion House.
The award is presented annually and is supported by Sport Ireland and Motorsport Ireland.