Kildare's Motorsport Ireland Young Driver of the Year has become a road safety ambassador for the county

Motorsport Ireland Young Driver of The Year Jake Byrne has been appointed as a road safety ambassador for the Kildare Road Safety Authority.

The 21-year-old Trinity engineering student romped home to two wins last month in Mondello Park, and he is taking place in a competition in Kirkistown in Northern Ireland this weekend.

The Kildare native's first task in his new role will be speaking at the 'Safer Roads Exhibition' event in Punchestown next weekend, where he will be joined by crash survivor Richard Alcorn. Jake will explain to young male drivers primarily, the difference between driving on the racing track and driving on the road.

‘Having Jake on board as an ambassador is a huge bonus to us and a great benefit to our Safer Roads event because of his age profile, his experience on the track and his reach and following in terms of the audience of what we call YMD; Young Male Drivers. YMD’s relate to Jake and listen to the advice he gives so I am delighted to have him on board as an ambassador for Kildare Road Safety’ said Declan Keogh, Kildare Road Safety Authority Officer.

“I am very happy with this new association. Declan (Keogh) has been working hard on the Safer Roads exhibition and it will be great to have an involvement. In terms of racing, it was great fun to get back behind the wheel at Mondello Park in the Global and I’ll never say no to a few more wins. Things will be a little more serious when I climb into my new FF1600 this weekend, I can’t wait!" said Byrne upon his appointment.