Keith Cronin (born 18 July 1986) is an Irish rally driver notable for multiple victories in the British Rally Championship (BRC) and the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship (ITRC). He has competed internationally in the World Rally Championship (WRC) and various national series.
Early life and background
Born in Ballylickey, County Cork, Ireland, Cronin began his motorsport career in the early 2000s, progressing through domestic Irish rally events before entering the British championship circuit.
British Rally Championship career
Cronin made his BRC debut in 2004. He achieved his first series title in 2009, winning the championship in his inaugural season while driving a privately entered Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX prepared by TTec Rally Prep and Cronin Motorsport. He successfully defended the title in 2010, this time piloting a Subaru Impreza. After missing the 2011 season, he returned to claim a third BRC championship in 2012, driving a Citroën DS3. A fourth BRC title was secured in 2017, bringing his total to four series championships.
Irish Tarmac Rally Championship
In addition to his British successes, Cronin has won the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship on two occasions, further establishing his reputation on both sides of the Irish Sea.
Teams and co‑drivers
Throughout his career, Cronin has driven for several teams, including Pirelli TEG Sport, TTec Rally Prep, Cronin Motorsport, Proton R3 Malaysia Rally Team, and Autosport Technology. His co‑drivers have included Barry McNulty, Greg Shinnors, Marshall Clark, and Mikie Galvin.
Major victories and achievements
- Four-time British Rally Champion (2009, 2010, 2012, 2017)
- Two-time Irish Tarmac Rally Champion
- Wins in notable BRC events such as the Bulldog Rally, Rally Isle of Man, and the International Rally of Yorkshire
- Accumulated over 15 rally victories across various national and international competitions
Personal life
Cronin resides in County Cork and remains active in the rally community, both as a competitor and as a mentor to emerging drivers.
References
Information compiled from publicly available sources, including the Wikipedia article on Keith Cronin and coverage by reputable motorsport news outlets.