Oran England in action in his Lough Owel Motors Peugeot Ireland backed Peugeot 208 Rally4. Photo: Dermot Kelleher

Oran England secures first Billy Coleman Award nomination for 2026

Published: Fri 24 Jul 2026, 1:32 PM

Oran England has received the first nomination for the 2026 Motorsport Ireland Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year Award, covering the opening selection period from January to May.

The 21-year-old driver from Virginia, County Cavan, has campaigned a Peugeot Ireland-supported Peugeot 208 Rally4 this season supported by, among others, Lough Owel Motors, Mullingar.

During the initial nomination window, Oran secured class victories on the Mayo Stages Rally, the Birr Stages Rally, and the Circuit of Munster.

His early season performances have put him at the top of the standings in Triton Showers Motorsport Ireland National Rally Championship and the Motorsport Ireland Junior Rally Series.

In addition, he tops the standings in both the Stellantis Rally Cup Ireland and leads his class in the Sligo Pallets Border Rally Championship,

Oran started rallying in 2024 following a karting career that yielded two national titles, including the Junior X30 Championship in 2017 and the Senior X30 title in 2022.

“It’s an honour to receive the nomination and it’s been something I have been targeting since I started rallying in 2024,” he said.

“I have to thank my family, who have been a huge support, and I also have to say a special thank you to Odhran Henry and Odhran Henry Racing for all the knowledge and experience they passed on to me in my years of karting.

“My co-drivers Damien Connolly and Darragh Mullen continue to help me develop and I’m looking forward to what the rest of this year has in store.”

Outside of his motorsport commitments, Oran is on work placement with Michael Slattery Associates in Dublin as part of his Fire Safety Engineering degree at ATU Letterkenny.

The winner of the Billy Coleman Award will receive a support package valued at €50,000 to contest rallies nationally and internationally in 2027, and additional development funding up to €50,000 is available through the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy.

Oran England Motorsport is supported by: Peugeot Ireland; TEE Fire Safety Solutions; BJD Electrical; The Mason’s Apron; Lough Owel Motors; BSR Plant and Civil; Fortus; Streamline Coaches; OHR; CA Hire and Kerry Motorsport News.