THE NEIL SHANAHAN MEMORIAL TROPHY

The winner of the prestigious British Formula Ford Festival will be presented with the Neil Shanahan Memorial Trophy, which was instigated in 1999 to commemorate the young Irish racing driver who tragically lost his life in a Formula Ford race earlier the year. The trophy, which is made of porcelain, is presented on a perpetual basis to the winner of the event by Neil's parents Liam and Mary.

The Shanahan family also donate a cheque for Stg£1,000 to the winning driver. Neil Shanahan was embarking on his first season in the British-based Slick 50 Formula Ford Zetec Championship after winning the Irish Formula Ford title in 1998, when he was killed at Oulton Park in May 1999.

In the four races he completed driving for the works Van Diemen team he established a tremendous reputation, leading the opening round at Donington Park and earning the Motoring News Race Ace award at Brands Hatch thanks to two audacious over-taking maneuvers. He was also an extremely popular addition to the Formula Ford paddock and won many friends during his short time in England, where he had first sprung to prominence during the 1998 Formula Ford Festival after holding second place in the Semi-Final until a mechanical problem forced him to retire.

The Formula Ford Festival takes place at Brands Hatch in October each year. The end-of-season shootout event attracts the cream of drivers from Formula Ford series worldwide. It remains the greatest yardstick of young talent and has seen victory from such luminaries as Johnny Herbert, Eddie Irvine and Jenson Button.

ROLE OF HONOUR

2002 - Jan Heylen from Belgium

2001 - Alan Van Der Merwe from South Africa

2000 - Anthony Davidson from England

1999 - Ricardo Van Der Ende from Holland