WHAT IS THE SEXTON AWARD?

The Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year Award and the historic Sexton Trophy are awarded to the individual who has demonstrated the most potential to represent Ireland at home and internationally both on the track as well as in the public eye. The Sexton Trophy is named after Walter Sexton, a former honorary secretary of the RIAC and one of Ireland’s pioneer motorists. The trophy is a scale replica of the Phoenix Column which was removed from its original site and re-erected at the gates of Áras an Uachtaráin in order to leave the course clear for the first running of the Irish Grand Prix in 1929 which was held in the Phoenix Park.

Following Walter Sexton's death, his widow presented the trophy to the RIAC. It was decided to institute a new Speed Championship open to all Irish competition licence holders which would be decided on points gained in Irish Speed events each year. The trophy was awarded for the first time in 1948, when Dudley Colley became the winner. Since then, the Walter Sexton Trophy has become the most highly prized in Irish motorsport, with the names of many of the sport's greatest drivers gracing it. In recent times it has been awarded to drivers who have made an impact and show real potential in the early stages of their career. The reigning Sexton Trophy winner is James Roe Jr.

The prize is awarded annually with the winner receiving a support programme to the value of €50,000.

Reigning Sexton Award Winner, James Roe Jr.

MOTORSPORT IRELAND SEXTON AWARD WINNERS

2019 James Roe Jr          1983 Dick Smyth
2018 Charlie Eastwood  1982 Derek Shortall
2017 Jordan Dempsey          1981 Derek Shortall
2016 Cian Carey                  1980 Frank O'Rourke
2015 Jake Byrne                  1979 Frank O'Rourke
2014 Jonny McMullan          1978 Frank O'Rourke
2013 Niall Murray          1977 David Hall
2012 Kevin O’Hara          1976 Derek Shortall
2011 Aron Smith                  1975 Derek Shortall
2010 Patrick McKenna  1974 Ken Fildes
2009 Patrick McKenna  1973 Ivan Rothwell
2008 Peter Dempsey          1972 Des McCoy
2007 Niall Quinn                  1971 Richie Heeley
2006 Paddy Hogan          1970 David Furlong
2005 Peter Dempsey          1969 John Keaney
2004 Eoin Murray                  1968 John Keaney
2003 Eoin Murray                  1967 Richie Heeley
2002 Michael Devaney  1966 Richie Heeley
2001 Michael Devaney  1965 Robin Rennicks
2000 Paul Dagg                  1964 Mike Ivis
1999 Jonathan Fildes          1963 Frank Keane
1998 Neil Shanahan          1962 Dan McAlister
1997 Neil Shanahan          1961 Dan McAlister
1996 Alan Byrne                  1960 Joe Flynn
1995 Michael Barrable  1959 Billy Bradshaw
1994 Steve Griffin          1958 Billy Bradshaw
1993 Michael Cullen          1957 Joe Flynn
1992 Padraig Owens          1956 Billy Bradshaw
1991 Maurice Cassidy          1955 Mick Heather
1990 David Wright          1954 Joe Kelly
1989 Fionn Murray          1953 Dick Odlum
1988 Kerry Lawless          1952 Joe Flynn
1987 John Hayes                  1951 Irwin Catherwood
1986 Vivion Daly                  1950 Pearse Cahill
1985 Leslie Wright       1949 Joe Kelly
1984 Vivion Daly                  1948 Dudley Colley

*No winner was awarded in 2020 due to COVID-19

FURTHER INFORMATION

To learn more about the Sexton Award, please download Appendix 17 of the Motorsport Ireland Yearbook or email info@motorsportireland.com