Dean Raftery targets World Rally Championship after Young Driver award

Dean Raftery says he has his sights firmly set on the World Rally Championship, and as the Young Rally Driver of the Year award winner he will now receive €50,000 worth of support for the 2015 season to spur on such endeavours.

A podium finisher in his inaugural World Rally Championship event last month, securing a fantastic second on his maiden outing, the youngster says that he's relieved to claim the 'Billy Coleman' award which can now kickstart his involvement in the Fiesta Trophy in the World Rally Championship.

Dunlop Awards

The winners of the International Driver of the Year, the Dunlop Sexton Trophy and the prestigious Billy Coleman Award were announced at the Dunlop Motorsport Ireland Awards Ceremony this week.

A 23-year-old Galway Native, Raftery started his motorsport career at the age of eight in Kart Racing, progressing to Junior Rallycross events before taking up rally driving in 2011. The former Junior National Forestry Champion competed very successfully this year in the British Rally Championship beating many seasoned professionals.

Raftery also had an outstanding run out at the British round of the World Rally Championship where he finished on the podium. He will now receive his lump sum of support money for the 2015 season when he intends to compete in the Fiesta Trophy in the World Rally Championship

“I am incredibly honoured and I have to admit very relieved to have won this prestigious award,” he said.

“The international recognition that goes with winning the Billy Coleman cannot be underestimated. My success today has all but ensured that I will be extended an invite to take part in the Fiesta Trophy in the World Rally Championship.

Strive for greatness

“I want to be one of the best professional rally drivers to come from Ireland and I can now see a clearer path to achieving my ultimate goal of succeeding at a World recognised level. I look forward to receiving the mentoring that is synonymous with the award that has helped the likes of previous winners Craig Breen, Keith Cronin and Daniel McKenna make their mark on the world and European stages.”

Matt Griffin, European Le Mans Series Champion in 2013 and close runner up in 2014 was selected by Members of the Irish Motor Sport Media as the International Driver of the Year and recipient of the prestigious Manley Memorial Trophy. He joins a long list of previous winners that include luminaries in the motorsport world such as Austin Mac Hale, Eddie Irvine and Derek Tohill to name but a few.

Jonny McMullan was awarded the Dunlop Sexton Trophy for Young Racing Driver of the Year.