Former classmates scoop top rally honours

IN a remarkable coincidence, the County Dublin village of Swords netted the young Driver of the Year awards for rallying and racing as Motorsport Ireland honoured its top achievers yesterday.

Former classmates at Coláiste Choilm, Swords, Robert Barrable and Patrick McKenna, both 23, were the respective winners of the Billy Coleman Award and the Dunlop Sexton Memorial Trophy, both of which carry a support package of €50,000. Barrable won the Irish and British Citroen C2R2 championships while McKenna finished second in the US F2000 race series.

Barrable outlined his plans: “We are going to the Czech Republic tomorrow to test a Skoda S2000 and later in the week, I am due to test the JRM Mitsubishi in Donegal. My first preference is the Skoda but if that doesn’t work out, it will be a Mitsubishi. I want to tackle the British Rally Championship in 2011 and I would also like to give something back to the national championship here and Motorsport Ireland for this award.”