Craig Breen from Kilmurry, Co. Waterford is the winner of the 2009 Billy Coleman Award for Young Rally Driver of the Year.

Craig aged 19, made his debut in Rallying in August 2007, having graduated from a successful career in Kart Racing. The other two finalists were Jonathan Cunningham from Claregalway and Kevin O’Connor from Askeaton.

Craig’s highlights of the year included winning the National Junior Rally Championship and finishing 3rd overall in the Birr Stages Rally, beating many 4 wheel drive turbo charged cars in the process. Craig also clinched the International Fiesta ST Trophy at the final British round of the World Rally Championship on 25th October.

Craig’s ambition is to be the first ever Irish winner of the World Rally Championship.
The next step on this journey begins next season when he competes for the British Rally Championship. Craig will also take in a number of World Rally Championship events, as a precursor to switching full time to the World Championship.

The Billy Coleman Award is presented annually to the most outstanding young Rally driver during the current year. The award consists of a support package for Rally competition in 2010 to the value of €50,000. Funding for the award is provided jointly by Motorsport Ireland and the Irish Sports Council.