Michael crowned King of the Pike

Hot-rod driver Michael Baldwin from Ballyporeen pictured with his impressive trophy haul that includes, Class 1 driver of the year, Tom Murray perpetual shield, King of the pike, Tony Dunphy memorial cup and overall driver of the year. (Picture: McMahon Studios)

Michael Baldwin, a 20 year old hot-rod driver from Ballyporeen, had a season to remember in the racing circuit in 2018.

Winning his class and crowned King of the Pike, Michael’s form was flawless from start to finish.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Michael took up the sport in 2010, competing for the first time in Rosegreen.

He raced all of 2010 in Rosegreen and in the middle of 2011, he started to race competitively at The Pike in Dungarvan.

In 2012 he started to make a name for himself finishing 3rd overall in the juniors at the Pike. In 2013 he suffered a setback after an injury side-lined him for a period but he was soon back on the track at Kilflynn in Kerry and raced there for a year adding more titles to his impressive haul.

He returned to the Pike in Dungarvan in 2015 where he moved into the seniors section and stepped up in class to category 1. He finished 2nd in his class and 4th overall.

Just a year later he won his class and was crowned the official King of the Pike. He continued his fine run of form into 2017 winning his class again and finished 2nd in the overall standings, but last year was his best to date winning his class and claiming first in the overall standings.

Michael is certainly a sports man to look out for in the future.