Donegal's Kyle McBride wins Billy Coleman Award for Young Rally Driver of the Year

The Billy Coleman Award for the Young Rally Driver of the Year was won by 22-year-old Kyle McBride, from Clonmany.

McBride won the award on the back of performances in the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup IRE & UK, and the Junior British Rally Championship this season in a Peugeot 208 Rally4.

McBride is a member of the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy and was a Billy Coleman Award finalist in 2022 and 2024, though faced stiff competition during the selection process for the award as he fended off a number of other great young drivers to take top spot in what is sure to be one of the most competitive years for this prestigious award to date.

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As part of the award, McBride will receive support to the value of up to €50,000 from Motorsport Ireland and Sport Ireland for the 2025 season. An additional support package, to a value of up to €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.

Kyle McBride said: “Absolutely delighted to win the Billy Coleman Award. It’s been my third time, getting into it so third time lucky! Huge thanks to the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, my family, my sponsors, my friends, the team for preparing my car. Huge thanks to all these people for being a part of my journey. Yeah, onwards and upwards. I’m looking forward to a busy year next year.”