Left: Sexton Trophy, Right: Jason Smyth
The final nominee for the 2026 Sexton Trophy Young Racing Driver of the Year award has been announced as Jason Smyth. These selections represent the best up-and-coming talent in circuit racing, with these individuals selected for their performances in August and September. This year, nominations will come in the form of a monthly selection, as adjudicated by a panel appointed by Motorsport Ireland. Smyth joins Victor Cullen, Jayden McBrearty, Sean McGovern, Charlie McKillen, Alex O’Grady as the 2026 nominees finalised today.
October: Jason Smyth
20-year-old Smyth from Celbridge, Co. Kildare took the final spot among this year’s nominees thanks to his superb finish to a standout year. In October, Smyth became the first driver to win the Formula Ford Festival in consecutive years, as well as setting the Silverstone lap record during the Walter Hayes Trophy event. The youngster split his season between the 2026 GB4 Championship and the Formula Ford 1600 series, with strong results in both, and picked up the Martin Donnelly Trophy along the way.
The longlist of nominees will then undertake a formal interview process in November with a panel of judges representing Motorsport Ireland, Sport Ireland, the Motorsport Ireland Race Commission, and members of the media.
The Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year award and the historic Sexton Trophy are presented 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. This year, the structure of the award has changed, whereby the winner will receive a €42,500 support package to help develop their motor racing career, but for the first time, monetary prizes are awarded for the first and second runners-up at €5,000 and €2,500 respectively.
The overall winner of the 2026 award will be announced at the Motorsport Ireland Champions Awards Lunch in December. The award is presented annually and is supported by Sport Ireland and Motorsport Ireland.
