2023 will go down in the history books as one of the most decorated of years for motorsports drivers from the north, with local drivers enjoying success at Irish, UK, European and World level. Dan James takes a look at those five individuals who have impressed most throughout the year and remembers one special talent who we tragically lost too soon
1. William Creighton (Rally)
The Moira man became the first person from here and only the second from the Island of Ireland since the late Craig Breen back in 2011 to get their hands on the one-make FIA Junior World Rally Championship title.
In the process, the 26-year-old bagged four arrive-and-drive outings in next season’s WRC2 – the FIA World Rally Championship’s support series.
The raw statistics speak for themselves: from five rounds, he scored two victories and chalked up no fewer than 34 stage wins on three surfaces (ice/snow, asphalt and gravel).
This proved to be the perfect foundation for Creighton to join a list of former winners that includes Sebastien Loeb and Ogier who, between them, have 17 World Rally title, Spain’s Dani Sordo, and Welshman Elfyn Evans.
Expect Creighton and co-driver Liam Regan to make the first of their WRC2 outings at February’s Rally Sweden.
2. Andrew Watson (Touring Cars)
A close second to our number one choice, Donaghmore’s Andrew Watson made headlines for all of the right reasons in his maiden Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season.
His decision to switch from endurance racing to the UK’s top-flight tin top series where he joined Portadown’s Colin Turkington took many fans and pundits by surprise and even raised a few eyebrows – but the 28-year-old silenced his doubters in style.
He achieved two overall podiums at Knockhill in Scotland and Silverstone in England, 15 points finishes, three Independent triumphs and four Jack Sears Trophy victories across the 30-round campaign in what was a year to remember for himself and the entire CarStore Power Maxed Racing team.
In the end, these performances paved the way for him to seal the Jack Sears Trophy from team-mate Mikey Doble and fellow rival Sam Osborne. News on his plans for 2024 are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
3. Rory Armstrong (Karting)
Aged only 12, Rory Armstrong is already a world champion in the sport of karting and really going places – fast.
He sealed the Mini MAX drivers’ title at the invitation-only Rotax MAX Grand Final in the Middle East earlier this month where second in the title decider became first following a post-race penalty for Scotland’s Cole Denholm due to a track cutting offence.
In the months leading up to competing at the Bahrain International Karting Circuit, Armstrong – a pupil at Saint Patrick’s Grammar School in Downpatrick – enjoyed success in both the Irish Plate GP and BNL Karting Series.
He is already being tipped for even bigger and better things in 2024 as he transitions to the Junior category, which commences in Spain in February.
Beyond that, F4 single seaters is the big target – the first step in what he hopes can help him to reach the pinnacle of motor racing: Formula One.
4. Jon Armstrong (Rally)
After coming close on previous occasions to lifting a coveted trophy, notably finishing runner-up in the Junior World Rally Championship in 2021 and again in 2022, it finally came good for Kesh’s Jon Armstrong this year as he waltzed his way to the FIA European Rally Championship ERC3 class title alongside Cameron Fair with two rounds to spare.
He achieved it aboard M-Sport Poland’s improved Ford Fiesta Rally 3, chalking up wins at Rally Serras de Fafe in Portugal, Spain’s Rally Islas Canarias, Rally Poland, Latvia’s Rally Liepaja, and Rally di Roma Capitale in Italy.
He impressed so much that he was offered a Rally2 drive at Sweden’s Royal Rally of Scandinavia by the MRF Tyres Dealer Team. Keen to cash-in on this, the 29-year-old is working diligently behind the scenes to upgrade ‘3′ to a permanent ‘2′ for next season.
5. Brandon McCaughan (Single Seater)
Another star in the making is 20-year-old Brandon McCaughan, as demonstrated by his race wins and podium finishes during the course of this year’s Formula Ford National Championship.
Despite not being in contention to win the title, his performances – which included success in front of his home supporters at Kirkistown in Co Down – were more than enough to hand him a second consecutive nomination for the one-make series’ national shoot-out.
Having missed out on the £20,000 prize 12 months ago, there was to be no repeat this time as those sitting on the judging panel gave him the nod ahead of fellow finalist Nathan Yu.
The cash injection is going towards a full season in the equally cut-throat GB4 Championship which begins at Oulton Park International on March 29 and includes visits to Silverstone, Donington, Snetterton and Brands Hatch respectively.
Special mention – Craig Breen (Stage Rally)
Having won the Irish Tarmac Championship and the Circuit of Ireland – twice – when it was a round of the FIA European Rally Championship, Waterford-born Craig Breen’s car control, speed and skill are well known to local fans and one of the reasons why he enjoyed such a huge fan base throughout Ireland.
He also routinely put this corner of the planet on the global news agenda through his involvement in the FIA World Rally Championship.
Prior to the start of this season, he had secured nine podium finishes in the sport’s top-flight and was destined to visit the top step.
However, a freak accident in the build-up to April’s Croatia Rally claimed his life and the victory he and his legion of followers craved so badly never arrived.
Posthumously inducted into Motorsport Ireland’s Hall of Fame at their end-of-season Champions of Motorsport awards dinner in Dublin at the start of December, the former Peugeot Sport, Citroen Racing, M-Sport Ford and most recently Hyundai Motorsport points scorer will forever be remembered as one of Ireland’s driving greats.