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The British
Rallycross Drivers Association has today recognised the outstanding achievements
of Dermot Carnegie who has announced his retirement as a competitor in
Rallycross with immediate effect.
"Over the last five
years I have come to know Dermot as a wonderful ambassador for the sport of
Rallycross as well as a gentleman both on the track and in the paddock. As a
fellow sixty-something, I can say that his energy and competitive spirit is an
inspiration to all of us in the 'bus pass generation'. If he ever feels the urge
to compete again, the BRDA would be delighted to welcome him back as a
competitor," said BRDA chairman John Horton.
With eight Irish and
six British championships among the many successes he has achieved in a motor
sport career that stretches back to 1961, Carnegie is the most successful driver
the British and Irish championships have ever seen. Already an established star
in autotests and rallies, Carnegie turned his attention to Rallycross in the
mid-1980s, quickly becoming a leading competitor. He has made no secret of
intention to retire from the sport as and when he was able to sell his car and
has now done so having struck a deal in which fellow competitor Pat Doran will
take ownership of his entire team.
"It's getting more
difficult to be competitive and to find the motivation and enthusiasm for all
the travelling. I've been looking for a way out but all the time I had a car it
was best to carry on racing. The chance to sell the whole team was too good to
miss," said Carnegie who will continue to compete in 'retro-rally' events for
fun and has not ruled out the possibility of making guest appearances in
Rallycross. "I've been offered the use of a car if I ever want to drive again,
it could be fun to do a winter event at Mondello Park sometime," he
said.
Current British
Rallycross Champion Ollie O'Donovan said it was a shame to lose Carnegie from
the paddock. "He was one of those who got me into Rallycross and it's a pity to
see him go. He's still a very good and quick competitor, he was in the top four
at every event so far this year and you still needed to watch him as a
championship rival, but he'd always help you – if you had a problem he'd always
offer advice or help," said O'Donovan.
Dermot Carnegie has
won the Irish Rallycross Championship eight times: 1991, 93, 94, 2002, 04, 05,
06, 07/08
He won the MSA
British Rallycross Championship in: 1994, 95, 2003, 04
In the period that
there was no official British championship, Carnegie won the equivalent BRDA
championship twice: 1999, 2001
Carnegie has also
won the Northern Irish championship twice: 1990, 93
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