Irish scoop honours at BRC Awards
This Saturday's MSA British Rally Championship awards night was
dominated by the Island of Ireland, topped of course by the crowning of
the 2009 Champions, Keith Cronin and Greg Shinnors.
The young County Cork driver and his experienced co-driver took
top billing at the formal ceremony near Warrington and the pair's
presentation of the overall trophy and Privateers Cup was greeted by a
standing ovation by the 220 attendees.
BRC OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AWARD
In addition to the overall, class and BRC Challenge awards, Northern
Irish youngster Alastair Fisher won the BRC's Outstanding Performance
Award, Championship manager Mark Taylor explaining the reason for the
popular choice.
"Alastair competed for the first time in a four wheel drive this year
and is one of only two drivers to start and finish every event. To take
third place in such a competitive year and finish on the podium twice,
without a mark on the car shows true talent and potential."
INTERNATIONAL RALLY DRIVERS CLUB MOST IMPROVED AWARD
Living just over an hour away in Carryduff, Jonny Greer was delighted
to add his name to the Northern Irish success, as he took not only the
International Rally Drivers' Club Most Improved trophy, but a cheque for
GBP500, presented by former World Rally Champion Nicky Grist, who also
hosted the IRDC table at the black tie awards ceremony.
BRC RALLY OF THE YEAR AWARD
It was not just drivers and co-drivers from across the Irish Sea who
took to the stage either. The Toddsleap.com Ulster International
Rally, which had moved its base and stages from 2008, proved popular
with organisers and competitors alike, scooping the British Rally
Championship Rally of the Year award.
GREENLIGHT TELEVISION AWARD
There was room for some other countries though, Australia's Molly Taylor
visiting the stage three times and taking the Greenlight Television
Award. Director Richard Nichols made the presentation for a great first
season which so nearly saw the British Ladies Rally Champion take the
Swift Sport Cup too.
The awards drew to a close at around eleven, but the hotel bar was
reportedly still busy at past 6am; no prizes for guessing which country
was best represented--.
-credit: brc
