Mullingar’s youngest ever car racing driver to win a race, Jordan Dempsey, and the most successful young driver the town has ever produced, became the youngest ever winner of the prestigious Sexton Trophy as Young Racing Driver of the Year last Tuesday night, 5 December, when the Beta Tools Motorsport Ireland Awards Ceremony took place in the Mansion House, Dublin.
For the past two years, Jordan Dempsey was the youngest ever finalist for the Racing Driver of the Year award, and in 2017, at just 17 years of age, he had to spend half the year concentrating on his Leaving Certificate at Mullingar Community College. He finished as highest achiever in his school in the exams and last week, Jordan’s remarkable skills on the race tracks, and his focus and determination brought the reward he fully deserved.
Having returned to Formula Ford driving immediately, Jordan hit form rapidly, racing in five events at Kirkstown, and secured several pole positions, lap records and victory in his first British Championship race at Castle Combe in Wiltshire, England.
Part of the top award involves support to the value of €50,000 during the 2018 season. A similar level of support went to 23-year- old Callum Devine, from Derry, who was chosen as Young Rally Driver of the Year and won the Billy Coleman Award.
The third top award, International Driver of the Year Award, the Manley Perpetual Trophy, went to Keith Cronin from Cork, after he became first Irish driver to win the British Rally Championship for the fourth time, equalling rally legend Roger Clark and just one behind record title winner, Jimmy McRae.
Among those attending the awards ceremony were Brendan Griffin, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, President of Motorsport Ireland, Martin McKenna and Dr. Una May, Director of Participation and Ethics, Sports Ireland.
Mr. McKenna said that speaking with some of the judges, he learned that 2017 was by far the most difficult year to pick winners, such was the talent emerging, and they and Sport Ireland are excited about the future. “We believe those who have won today will be able to fill the shoes of previous winners, many of whom have gone on to compete successfully on the international circuit.”
At the Mansion House ceremonies, celebrating the success of the most talented drivers in Irish Motorsport in 2017, more than 30 trophies in all were presented, and the Young Racing Driver of the Year Award was the last to be announced. Jordan Dempsey told Topic that while he was hoping for success, he thought his late start due to the Leaving Cert might have told against him.
“I didn’t realise at first my name had been called out, and it was an incredible feeling when I did,” he said.
His father, Morgan, admitted that “the odds were against Jordan this year” and he was delighted that he had been chosen, and the €50,000 support would be valuable, particularly because of other developments, he said.
IN AMERICA THIS WEEK
Morgan Dempsey (himself a former racing driver, as was his father, Morgan Dempsey Snr., who was very pleased at his grandson’s achievement) explain-ed to Topic that he had been contacted during the year by a representative for a car racing team in America, who had spotted Jordan winning in Castle Coome in Britain during the year, and saw potential in him as a Formula Ford driver, and got Jordan’s contact details from the people in the UK.
“He would have recognised that if Jordan was driving and able to win in Formula Ford, he would probably have the ability to drive anything, it is that high a level.”
“The outcome was, Jordan was offered the opportunity of going to the US to take part in an intensive two-day evaluation in Savannah, Georgia on 12 and 13 December, and we’re hoping that if things go right for him over there, he’ll be racing in America in 2018,” he said.
“Whether or not he gained the Young Driver of the Year Award last night, we were going to America in any event, as it had already been arranged,” he explained, “but it’s great to have this to add to your portfolio.”
“There’s exciting times ahead,” Jordan remarked, with enthusiasm.
The US team are hoping to run three or four cars in F4 USA, which has rounds supporting the American Grand Prix, and it also supports the World Endurance Championship when it comes to America.
“The person who contacted us is hopeful that there will be a subsidy for one or maybe two of the cars, but he wants the right driver, and is actually doing an evaluation, and has already narrowed thirteen down to six and Jordan is one of them,” Morgan Dempsey told us, explaining that the same man used to work with Eddie Jordan in years past.
Morgan and Jordan explained that the F4 is an FIA sanctioned car, and its a stepping stone to Formula 1 racing, something Jordan is aiming towards.
“To get points for Formula 1, you have to get a Super Licence, and you can only get that by gaining points in officially recognised cars. So in FIA F4, you get points towards a Super Licence, for Formula 1 driving. This would be the first rung on the ladder,” Morgan said.
NINE YEARS OLD
Asked when he first started racing, Jordan said he had been around cars since he was born, but racing since he was 9, when he started in karts, until he was 13, when he moved to the Gianetta Junior Ireland, and won the Junior Championship. He was driving Formula Fords for the past two years.
So the young man from Walshestown, Mullingar, who is continuing a great motor racing tradition, and who has already ticked all the boxes, is this week in the US, hoping to take another major step towards the top ranks in international motor car racing.
Topic wishes him the height of good luck, and having watched his progress over the past several years, we can only say that he surely has what it takes, if he enjoys a modicum of good fortune on the racing circuits in America. And as he said himself last week, before leaving for the US, “I’m looking forward to it, and there’s a lot of pressure but I like having the pressure, I seem to be able to find another level when it comes to racing under pressure. I love that kind of environment.”
“Hopefully, as the youngest driver to win the Sexton Trophy, youngest ever car race winner in the country and youngest ever finalist, I can also become the youngest professional car racing driver,” he concluded with a smile.
