(Photo courtesy of Jakob Ebrey Motorsport Photography)
Keith Cronin and Greg Shinnors capped off a near perfect year in Wales today with an outstanding performance in the Pirelli UK Star Driver Shootout.

The reigning British Rally Champions took on 6 other finalists, all of whom have performed remarkably well during the year. Over the two days they were assessed on their pacenote making skills and interview skills but the driving was really what it was all about.
This was conducted over a two mile stage in the Sweet Lamb rally complex in west Wales. Two cars were used over the test and each of the finalists had to traverse the stage in a front wheel drive Suzuki Swift and in a 4 wheel drive Subaru.
Despite not having driven a front wheel drive in anger since 2006, Keith was second fastest of the finalists in the little Suzuki pocket rocket. He was beaten only by Luke Pinder, who drove the Suzuki on this years BRC.
The Subaru that was being used was no stranger to Keith as it had started every BRC round this year (except Yorkshire) in front of him, being driven by Mark Higgins. Keith adapted to that car too and was fastest of all the drivers this time.
There were five judges and they voted unanimously to give the prize to the West Cork man!
This should ensure that the Cronin Motorsport crew will return to the BRC in 2010 to defend their title.

One of the Judges, Risto Laine the manager of Rally Finland said afterwards that he was very impressed by Keith's speed and his overall attitude to the sport aswell as the way that he has raised his funding . He went on to say that he is has the potential to be a future World Champion.