CONVOY MAN Dean O’Sullivan has been selected as one of seven co-drivers who will be under the MI Rally Academy until the end of 2020.
O’Sullivan has emerged as one of the leading navigators in recent years and has had success mainly calling the notes for Letterkenny’s Marty Gallagher. The pair built up a fine partnership.
O’Sullivan will now receive tuition from the MI Rally Academy in all aspects of co-driving.
The seven will get to make notes with a current top-level driver and sit in for a test in an R2 & an R5 car as well as being invited to the Billy Coleman Award Development Days to avail of media and fitness guidance.
Crucially, the successful 7 will also get first option of any opportunities that may come available and receive ongoing mentoring/support from some of Ireland’s most experienced and respected co-driver
After an exhausting selection process which took place last Sunday in Athlone, 24 co-drivers were whittled down to the final group.
The selection process took a number of factors into account including; their application forms, incar footage supplied by the applicants, an exam on the rules of the sport, their pacenote writing ability, a media interview and a more in-depth interview from experienced co-drivers.
The Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy is funded by former Irish Rally Champion John Coyne, through the Team Ireland Foundation.