Winning the Driver of the Year award at the Irish Motor Sports awards capped a fantastic 2012 for Craig Breen.
The 22-year-old sealed his second successive world title in November by sealing the S2000 World Rally title, after winning the inaugural academy title in 2011.
But amidst all the plaudits and trophies, there was sadness as Breen’s co-driver and close friend Gareth Roberts was killed in a crash at the Targa Florio rally in June.
After that tragedy the Waterford-native had reflected on his own future in the sport having escaped the crash unscathed.
But the Ford Fiesta driver continued on in the profession he loves so much.
But what lies in store for Breen in 2013?
Success
The Irishman won the S2000 title by nine points over Swedish rival Per-Gunnar Andersson, with four victories in eight events.
Breen’s victory at the season ending Rally de Catalunya also came with an added bonus.
The time of 4:32:39:5 was enough to win the S2000 race but also earned him a sixth place finish and eight points in the main World Rally Championship race.
The young star will be pushing to build on that success.
He has already received global recognition within the rallying fraternity after being proclaimed WRC World Rally Driver of the Year for 2012, after topping a poll on the WRC website, ahead of legendary nine-time champ Sebastien Loeb who recently announced his retirement.
Sponsorship
That is the level of competition Breen will crave on a consistent basis and the curve should take him in that direction. But taking part in every round of the World Rally Championship would require a budget of over €1 million.
When Breen claimed the Academy title in 2011 he was also awarded a scholarship of €500,000 to help fund his entry into the S2000 WRC.
Unfortunately there is no prize money for winning the S2000 series.
It will come down to lucrative sponsorship deals, which he will have to fight for against fierce competition.
But should he succeed and gain a place for the 2013 season, Breen has the talent to hold his own in a world class field.
The knock on effect for motorsport in Ireland will also get a vital shot in the arm.
