Daniel picks up top race award

Despite a tough year, kart racing’s World Formula class has been a big success with near capacity grids all year making for close racing in every heat. Conlon took on both the Northern Ireland championship and the Ulster Karting Club championship in the class and virtually cleaned up in all the races this season.

Conlon had been no stranger to winning prior to this year after winning the Northern Ireland championship last season. Adding the 2012 Northern Ireland title, second in the Ulster Championship title, the Ulster Cup, the Coleraine & District Motor Club championship and still managing to be ahead by a massive 146 points, is quite a feat in the class.

The junior driver of the year award went to Gary Donnelly from Dungannon after equivalent championship title wins this year in the JAG-Rotax supported Mini Max class. Donnelly also finished on the podium in the local rounds of the British championships.

Club driver of the year and international driver of the year awards went to Belfast’s Charlie Eastwood after finishing on the podium in the British championships.

As a result of the success at such levels, both Donnelly and Eastwood will take on the World Rotax finals in Portugal later this week.

Guest presenters on the night were Kris Meeke, the 2009 World Intercontinental Rally Champion, and motorcycling’s William Dunlop.