Talented navigator Paul Phelan made an immense contribution to motorsport

One of his finest achievements was his victory in the 1975 Circuit of Ireland Rally where he navigated Millstreet legend Billy Coleman. 

The late Paul Phelan (right) receives a presidential award from Aiden Harper, president of Motorsport Ireland at the 2022 MI awards ceremony in Dublin. Picture: Michael Chester

Prior to the era of pacenotes in Irish motorsport, Dubliner Paul Phelan, who passed away on Saturday last, was one of the most proficient, talented and best-known navigators in the country. 

The quietly spoken Ballsbridge-born man contributed motorsport reports to national papers along with the British-based magazine Motorsport News, formerly known as Motoring News.