McShea receives Inmarsat Star of Rally in Oz.

With one of the smaller budgets in the FIA Production World Rally Championship [PCWRC] and a season fraught with uncertainty, Niall McShea has been awarded the final Inmarsat Star of the Rally this season.

The 31-year old competed in the FIA Junior World Rally Championship in 2001 and 2002 and now drives a Subaru Impreza WRX for the SYMS Rally Team.

He has also been awarded the Roger Clark Award for future promise.

He has struggled all season to make the budget to compete in the championship but has never given up and for this tenacity has been rewarded with the winning the 2004 FIA Production car World Rally Championship [for drivers].

Nicky Grist, former co-driver and head of the panel of judges explains: "We are absolutely delighted to give this award to Niall. He has shown some real qualities this season, true commitment, resilience, and a fighting spirit worthy of a champion. He has struggled financially this season and it is down to the generosity of Lloyd Helicopters and rally community in Ireland."

Commenting on his Inmarsat Star trophy win, McShea added: "This is absolutely fantastic and I am over the moon. It has been an emotional rollercoaster and I have had the best and worst year. I had such high hopes and expectations and during this rally I really didn't think it was going to happen. I have been in this situation before and just kept telling myself to never give up, even when you think an opportunity is dead and buried, just dig it up and shock it back to life!"