Motor Sport - Dempsey set to join forces with Sport Ireland and Motorsport Ireland for blue riband Formula Ford races

16-year old Jordan Dempsey from Mullingar in County Westmeath has this week been chosen by Motorsport Ireland and Sport Ireland to race their Bernard Dolan Racing run Van Diemen LA10 for this year’s blue riband Formula Ford trophy events.
 
Dempsey’s first official outing with the team will see him take on the famous Brands Hatch Formula Ford Festival at the end of October. For Jordan, this will be a fantastic opportunity to prove himself in the much newer car compared to the 2000 specification car he has campaigned quite successfully this season in the British National Formula Ford Championship.
 
Selected as one of six nominees for the 2015 Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year award in recognition for his dominant win in the Ginetta Junior Ireland Championship, Dempsey was then selected as one of three finalists and despite missing out on the top prize, has remained on many people’s radar ever since.
 
For 2016, Jordan stepped up to Formula Ford 1600 as one of the youngest drivers on the grid. Running alongside eventual champion and former Young Racing Driver of the Year, Niall Murray, Dempsey has developed significantly with every lap this year, with particular results of note during the final two weekends, achieving fourth overall in race two in Donington Park and narrowly missing out on a front row start at the final round in Croft.
 
Alex Sinclair – Motorsport Ireland:
“Our involvement with a young driver programme, assisted by the Irish Sports Council, began over ten years ago and we have had some really talented people through the system since then. We believe Jordan deserves this opportunity as he has shown real maturity behind the wheel despite his young age.”
 
Jordan Dempsey – Driver:
“Well, I got quite a shock when I heard this news, I was just so happy. I’m really looking forward to working with Bernard Dolan and his team on these events. It will be tough to get away from Dad’s chats after the races! It’s great to be in such a well-proven car, a car that I’ve always wanted to drive. A big thanks to Motorsport Ireland and Sport Ireland for giving me the opportunity. Thank you also to all my sponsors and supporters who have helped me to get to this point, including Ergo, Novitas, SureSkills, Comsys, TBRM, P1 : Digital and Murphy Prototypes. Thanks to Dad and Team MCP for all their support this year and getting me to where I am now. Thanks also to Team Ireland and everyone on that programme for all their hard work and support. From now on, I will be working even harder on my training, to make sure I don’t let this opportunity go to waste. Now I look forward to the big races with an open mindset, learning the new car, the new tracks and hopefully we can have two strong results to add to the fantastic year we have had so far.”
 
Bernard Dolan – Team Manager:
“I have watched Jordan’s progress throughout this year and I am looking forward to working with this young up and coming driver. These trophy races are notoriously challenging, but I have no doubt in his ability to step up to the challenge and make the most of the occasion.”