Murphy makes History while others learn it

Early in 2017 Jason Murphy, a then 16 year old, fifth year Presentation College Headfordstudent from Shrule, undertook a big step up to be part of a new innovation in the Motorsport Ireland National Forest Rally Championship for 2017; the introduction of the Michael O’Brien Plant Hire Junior 1000 class for 15-19 year olds.

Jason, a former 3 times runner up of the Motorsport Ireland Junior National Autograss Championship (for 14-16 year olds) had his uncle Matthew on board as navigator as they steered south towards the Willie Loughman Forest Rally – the opening round of the 2017 Valvoline Forest Rally Championship. Hosted by the Carrick on Suir Motor Club, six special stages along the scenic Suir Valley in Co. Waterford lied in wait for the fledgling forest competitor.

The pair competing in a C-Sport prepared, Westtyre backed Peugeot 107, started the event with caution, Matthew taking the first stage to acclimatize Jason on his first rally with a navigator calling notes to him. From then on the pair ebbed and flowed the little 1 litre Peugeot 107 over the remaining forest stages to dominate the J1000 class and make history as the first 16 year old driver to compete and claim victory on a National Forest Rally, not only in Ireland but the British Isles!

Following on from Carrick on Suir the pair headed for Ballyvourney, Co. Cork in April and Donegal in May before the Jim Walsh Cork Forest Rally in July provided a fine finale to an excellent inaugural season. It proved to be a dream day for Jason, not only winning the Mallow based event, but clinching the 2017 title. “I was absolutely delighted to win the National J1000 championship. I couldn’t believe it, it meant a lot to secure the title and be the first name into the history books!” said the new south Mayo National Irish Champion.

Fast forward to now, May 2018 and with a hat-trick of wins on the opening three Rounds of the 2018 Championship, kicked off with the Willie Loughman Memorial Forest Rally in February and followed up with a master class display at the Limerick Motorclub Forest Rally based over the Silvermines Mountains in March, before coming from behind and surviving clutch failure at Munster Motor Club’s Moonraker Rally in April, when asked about the possibility of retaining the title in 2018 and creating more history, “I had a quick glance at the championship standings, between studying…..,” said Murphy. Then he stopped. It wasn’t so much what he did say as what he didn’t. His silence spoke volumes.

To keep up to date with Jason’s Motorsport drives, check out #MurphyMotorsport on Facebook & Twitter.