A MANX rally title at just 16 has earned Imogen Cannell a nomination for sporting achievement in the Isle of Man Newspapers and Flybe Pride in Mann awards.
Imogen was co-driver with her father Nigel in a Mitsubishi Evo when they drove to victory in the Duke Stages Rally last November and the achievement earned her the Eurocars Motorsport Manx Rally Championship co-driver’s title.
Imogen, now 17, is studying health and social care at the Isle of Man College and was nominated by her tutor, Janet Corran, who is the assistant programme manager on the course.
Mrs Corran said: ‘She is a very quiet and lovely girl who was quite shocked when I put up a big poster when they won the rally competition.
‘She is very self-effacing – not one for the limelight. Her family have been involved in the rallying for some time.
‘She is bright and a lovely personality – the sort of person who will get on wherever she goes.’
Imogen said: ‘I was the junior champion navigator. The award was just in January for the 2011 season and I think I am the youngest to get it.
‘I started last year and I have done about five rallies now. It’s a very good adrenaline rush – the speed and thrill – even though I get car sick after every stage!’ she added.
Imogen, who hails from Castletown Road, Santon, hopes to carry on with her rallying next year.
In the longer term she hopes to study nursing at university at the end of her health and social care course.
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Pride in Mann is an awards scheme from Isle of Man Newspapers and Flybe which aims to recognise unsung heroes in the Manx community.
The competition sees the public invited to nominate people they feel are worthy recipients of an award across 10 categories. Each person nominated will be recognised in one of our newspapers and later there will be a public vote to find the categories’ winners.
The categories for this year’s Pride in Mann awards are: Promotion of Manx Culture, Performer of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Sporting Acheivement, Young Person of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Linking with Schools, Customer Service and Family Business.
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Who will you nominate?
You can find a downloadable nomination form by clicking {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/pride_in_mann_1_4040786|this link.}
