It’s hard to think that Millstreet Rally Legend Billy Coleman was crowned British Rally Champion back in 1974, it is therefore fitting to just remind ourselves 50 years later of what a great achievement that was in what was a Premier Rally Championship in Europe at the time.
Billy was Irelands Top Rally Driver back in the 70s and 80s and amongst his best achievements was as already mentioned winning The British Rally Championship in 1974 in his Ford Escort Mark 1.
Billy also scored victory on The Circuit of Ireland 3 times in 1975,1976,and 1984 as well as finishing 4th overall in the 1985 World Championship Rally Tour De Corse which was one of the toughest challenges back in the day.
Billy was also crowned Irish Tarmac Champion in 1984 and finished 3rd in The European Rally Championship in 1979 and has won many Irish Rallies over the years including the likes Cork 20, Donegal and Killarney Rally of the Lakes Events.
Billy is still up there as one of the greats and from that great achievement back in 1974 50 years later we salute one of the finest Irish Drivers to grace the Rally Stages both here at Home and Worldwide.
Coleman is one of Ireland’s most successful motorsport rally drivers and in twenty years of racing has claimed 29 victories.
The Billy Coleman Young Driver of the Year Award was conceived in 2000 in a partnership between Motorsport Ireland, Sport Ireland and Team Ireland.
The aim of the award is to “motivate young Irish rally drivers to step up into the international arena and rival the achievements of the young Billy Coleman”
In 2006, Coleman was awarded RTÉ Sports Hall of Fame Award for his achievements in rallying.
