McBride and Grogan Secure Final Billy Coleman Award Nominations for 2024
Donegal’s Kyle McBride (21) and Leitrim’s Keelan Grogan (24) have secured the final pair of nominations for the 2024 Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year Award.
McBride, a motorsport mechanic by trade, gained his nomination for his performances in the June to October period where he claimed third place in the junior category in the British Rally Championship and second place in the Irish and UK Stellantis Cup. Despite only being 21, McBride is a previous Billy Coleman Award Finalist having got down to the final three in 2022. The Peugeot 208 Rally4 driver has been co-driven by Sligo’s Darragh Mullen this season.
Keelan Grogan has been chosen as the wildcard nomination for 2024. A finalist for the award last year, Grogan has been at the sharp end of the RC4 category on tarmac and gravel all season and was in contention for the inaugural Irish and UK Stellantis Cup in his Peugeot 208 Rally4 with co-driver, Ayrton Sherlock. Away from motorsport, Grogan works in the heart of the family business; Grogan & Currid Ltd, which produces PVC windows, doors and conservatories as well as aluminium windows and doors.
McBride and Grogan join Ryan McHugh, Craig Rahill and Jack Harris as the five nominees for 2024.
The winner of the Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year Award will receive a support package to contest rallies nationally and internationally in 2025. The Sport Ireland and Motorsport Ireland funded award is valued at up to €50,000. The award winner will receive assistance and guidance from Billy Coleman coordinator Sean McHugh.
An additional support package, valued at a further €50,000, will be available from the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy as part of an agreed training and development programme designed to progress the winners’ career. The winner may apply for a second year of support upon satisfactory performances in their award-winning year.
Both Billy Coleman Award runners-up will receive support to compete in stage rallies at home and abroad up to an amount of €15,000 each as well as an invitation to participate in the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy development programme in 2025.
All funding will be based upon agreed plans which will be subject to the achievement of progression targets.
