Coleman nominated for ERC Most Improved Driver of the Year

Casey Jay Coleman in action at Rali Ceredigion. Photo by Red Bull Content Pool

Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver Casey Jay Coleman has been nominated for the FIA European Rally Championship’s Most Improved Driver of the Year Award, with voting now open to the public.

The 23-year-old is one of just five drivers shortlisted for the award by an expert ERC panel following a breakthrough 2026 season which has seen him emerge as a genuine contender at European level.

In announcing the nomination, the ERC described Coleman as “mightily impressive” during a season in which he “transformed into a title contender”, while also highlighting his expected move to Rally2 machinery in 2027.

The nomination comes just weeks after one of Coleman’s strongest performances to date at Rali Ceredigion in Wales.

Alongside navigator Killian McArdle, Coleman led ERC3 after the opening night and produced a series of outstanding stage times across the weekend. A remarkable performance on the 20.6km Gorsgoch stage saw the Irish crew take more than 11 seconds out of their ERC3 rivals and close to within just 0.8 seconds of the lead ahead of the final Power Stage.

Ultimately, Coleman missed out on victory to eventual ERC3 champion Ville Vatanen by just 1.6 seconds, but still finished an impressive 10th overall against a field containing considerably more powerful Rally2 machinery.

The result was the latest indication of the progress Coleman has made during his time with the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, both in terms of outright speed and in the wider preparation required to compete successfully at international level.

His performances throughout 2026 have now been recognised by the FIA European Rally Championship, with supporters able to vote for Casey Jay as their ERC Most Improved Driver of the Year.

Vote for Casey Jay Coleman here:
https://www.riddle.com/view/3dbvQIbO