11/12/2023
From the beginning of the 2023 season in the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship until mid-May, getting the call to join the FIA Rally Star programme and competing on 2 events in the ever-challenging FIA ERC - European Rally Championship, my overall outlook on rallying and what it takes has changed a lot. It isn’t until you experience these events that you really see why they have their status!
As the dust settles on what was a very busy year, I’d like to thank all those people and teams who I worked with. To the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy for their continuous work behind the scenes, to the mentors Daniel & Gemma (Daveynutrition), Dermott Sheridan (DCU Fitness) Alan Heary (Performance) Andy Walsh & Ken McHugh (Media) and aside to all Nicolas Klinger, Chris Patterson, Paul Nagle, Rory Kennedy, Greg Shinnors & James O’Brien for their help and support to me throughout the year with all things co.driving both home & away!
It was a privilege to have been asked to step up to join the programme to mentor and coach. The friendships that have been made, the special guests that came on events and who I met, the FIA & M-Sport Poland - working with them really taught a lot. In addition to this, the opportunity of going on WRC - FIA World Rally Championship events/tests to support and work with PCRS Rallysport & MIRallyAcademy team. To the drivers who I competed with; Joe Kelly, O'Sullivan Motorsport, Aoife Raftery Rallying & Abdullah Al Tawqi.
So, as I sign off on 2023, there has been many highs but many lows in motorsport & I am grateful to have these opportunities and for sure, very much looking forward to planning 2024 and seeing what it brings! Thank you for your support!
Krunching Gears Kerry Motorsport News John Coyne