WHAT IS THE SEXTON AWARD?

The Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year Award and the historic Sexton Trophy are awarded 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 Sexton Trophy is named after Walter Sexton, a former honorary secretary of the RIAC and one of Ireland’s pioneer motorists. The trophy is a scale replica of the Phoenix Column which was removed from its original site and re-erected at the gates of Áras an Uachtaráin in order to leave the course clear for the first running of the Irish Grand Prix in 1929 which was held in the Phoenix Park.

Following Walter Sexton's death, his widow presented the trophy to the RIAC. It was decided to institute a new Speed Championship open to all Irish competition licence holders which would be decided on points gained in Irish Speed events each year. The trophy was awarded for the first time in 1948, when Dudley Colley became the winner. Since then, the Walter Sexton Trophy has become the most highly prized in Irish motorsport, with the names of many of the sport's greatest drivers gracing it. In recent times it has been awarded to drivers who have made an impact and show real potential in the early stages of their career. The reigning Sexton Trophy winner is Alex Denning.

The prize is awarded annually with the winner receiving a support programme to the value of €50,000.

Reigning Sexton Award Winner, Jack Byrne.

MOTORSPORT IRELAND SEXTON AWARD WINNERS

2023 Jack Byrne
2022 Alex Denning
2021 Alex Dunne
2020 Not Awarded due to Covid19
2019 James Roe Jr
2018 Charlie Eastwood
2017 Jordan Dempsey
2016 Cian Carey
2015 Jake Byrne
2014 Jonny McMullan
2013 Niall Murray
2012 Kevin O’Hara
2011 Aron Smith
2010 Patrick McKenna
2009 Patrick McKenna
2008 Peter Dempsey
2007 Niall Quinn
2006 Paddy Hogan
2005 Peter Dempsey
2004 Eoin Murray
2003 Eoin Murray
2002 Michael Devaney
2001 Michael Devaney
2000 Paul Dagg
1999 Jonathan Fildes
1998 Neil Shanahan
1997 Neil Shanahan
1996 Alan Byrne
1995 Michael Barrable
1994 Steve Griffin
1993 Michael Cullen
1992 Padraig Owens
1991 Maurice Cassidy
1990 David Wright
1989 Fionn Murray
1988 Kerry Lawless
1987 John Hayes
1986 Vivion Daly
1985 Leslie Wright
1984 Vivion Daly
1983 Dick Smyth
1982 Derek Shortall
1981 Derek Shortall
1980 Frank O'Rourke
1979 Frank O'Rourke
1978 Frank O'Rourke
1977 David Hall
1976 Derek Shortall
1975 Derek Shortall
1974 Ken Fildes
1973 Ivan Rothwell
1972 Des McCoy
1971 Richie Heeley
1970 David Furlong
1969 John Keaney
1968 John Keaney
1967 Richie Heeley
1966 Richie Heeley
1965 Robin Rennicks
1964 Mike Ivis
1963 Frank Keane
1962 Dan McAlister
1961 Dan McAlister
1960 Joe Flynn
1959 Billy Bradshaw
1958 Billy Bradshaw
1957 Joe Flynn
1956 Billy Bradshaw
1955 Mick Heather
1954 Joe Kelly
1953 Dick Odlum
1952 Joe Flynn
1951 Irwin Catherwood
1950 Pearse Cahill
1949 Joe Kelly
1948 Dudley Colley

FURTHER INFORMATION

To learn more about the Sexton Award, please download Appendix 17 of the Motorsport Ireland Yearbook or email [email protected]