Beta Tools, the well known Italian tool and equipment specialist, is to be the title sponsor of the Motorsport Ireland Awards. The announcement made at a special lauch event which was held at the Grup Eina International Training Centre close to Dublin Airport.

The Motorsport Ireland Awards ceremony will be held in Mansion House on December 5th. Among the prestigious prizes up for grabs are the International Driver of the Year, the Sexton Trophy, and the Billy Coleman Award for the young rally driver of the year.

Beta has a distinguished history in motorsport dating back to the 1970s. At the launch event, Martin Bryers, Beta Head of Sales, UK and Ireland, said, "In association with our partners in Ireland, J&S Automotive, Beta are delighted to sponsor the Motorsport Ireland Awards and to be involved with Irish Motorsport. Passion and sports run in the veins of the Beta family. For 50 years we’ve actively supported competitive motorsport of every variety at every level. Now we’re looking forward to working with young Irish drivers and teams who are looking to develop their careers in motorsport.”

Reflecting this up-and-coming motor-racing star Cian Carey was at the launch and spoken about his incredible season since winning Ireland’s Young Racing Driver of the Year award last December. Carey, from Co Meath, is now racing in Formula Three in the UK and recently won the internationally-acclaimed Leinster Trophy. He  said, "Winning the Sexton Trophy for young racing driver of the year is definitely one of the highlights of my career to date. It has opened so many doors that would normally be shut and has, without doubt, helped me to progress in my sport.”

Drivers who have already secured nominations for this year’s awards due to their performances behind the wheel include Charlie Eastwood, from Co Antrim; Conor Farrell, from Dublin; James Roe, from Co Kildare; Jordan Dempsey, from Co Westmeath; Michael Boyle and Kevin Eves, both from Co Donegal; and Jonny Treanor, from Co Monaghan. Other nominees will be added as the motorsport season draws to a close over the next two months.

Previous winners at the Motorsport Ireland Awards include Craig Breen, now competing in the World Rally Championship; Keith Cronin, a four-time winner of the British Rally Championships; and former European Rally Cross Champion and Irish title holder Derek Tohill.

Alex Sinclair, CEO, Motorsport Ireland, said: "In the world of motorsport, Beta Professional Hands Tools is instantly recognisable. To have them in Ireland supporting our awards is a fantastic endorsement of what we are trying to achieve in Irish Motorsport. We have more drivers than ever competing on the international circuits and many of them would have received accolades at our awards ceremony over the years.”