MOTORSPORT IRELAND NAMES FOUR FINALISTS FOR YOUNG RACING DRIVER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Four drivers have been selected as finalists for the 2021 Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year Award. Wicklow's Max Hart (20), has been named alongside Jordan Kelly (22), from Co. Donegal, Jack Byrne (18) from Co. Wexford and Alex Dunne (16) from Co. Offaly in the race for the prestigious Sexton Trophy and a first prize of €50,000.
Following the decision not to award the Sexton Trophy last year due to a lack of events owing to the global Covid-19 pandemic, a self-nomination process was opened to eligible drivers for 2021. Based on their performances throughout the season and their applications, the four finalists were selected from the pool of applicants.
Hart, a finalist for the award in 2019, shone in the TCR UK series this year racking up numerous wins, podiums, poles and fastest laps on his way to 4th in the championship driving a Hyundai i30N battling against experienced opposition.
Despite having only started racing in 2019, Jordan Kelly has impressed in Formula Vee claiming his first race win and pole positions in the 2021 season. Kelly also won the inaugural Irish Digital Motorsports Championship in 2020.
Jack Byrne a product of the Wexford Motor Club Youth Academy, moved to circuit racing in 2019 having being crowned Junior Irish Rallycross Champion in 2018. Byrne won the Ginetta Junior Ireland "Best Newcomer Award" in his debut racing season in 2019 and promptly won the championship in 2020. 2021 saw him move into the hugely competitive Coffee 2 Go Fiesta ST Championship where he claimed 3rd in the points standings.
Offaly teenager Alex Dunne stepped out of karts and into single seaters in 2021 as he contested F4 races in the Belgian and German Championships, on some of the most challenging tracks in Europe. His season highlights included pole position at Spa Francorchamps on his F4 debut and a double podium on his German F4 debut.
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, the four drivers will be included in the Team Ireland development programme run by Motorsport Ireland to nurture and support young drivers.
The overall winner of the 2021 award will be announced on December 20th. The award is presented annually and is supported by Sport Ireland and Motorsport Ireland.