The Motor Sports Association (MSA) is pleased to announce that Dan McCalla has been named the Renault MSA Young Motor Sport Journalist of the Year.

Established in 2002 in association with Renault UK, the award is designed to find and recognise the most promising British motor sport journalists aged 25 or under.

Hailing from Milton Keynes, McCalla joined the weekly publication Motorsport News in 2007, since when he has risen through the ranks to become the paper’s Rallying Editor – a role that includes travelling across the globe covering the FIA World Rally Championship – at just 23 years of age.

McCalla said: “I’m delighted to have been named the Renault MSA Young Journalist of the Year; it’s the biggest award in motor sport journalism, which is why my peers and I take it so seriously. The Night of Champions takes place during a 24-hour break in the Monte Carlo Rally which I’ll be covering for MN, so I’m going to jump on the TGV into London and head to the ceremony, then fly straight back to Monaco the next morning. I only get one chance to collect my award so I’m not going to miss it!”

MSA Chief Executive Colin Hilton said: “This year’s Renault MSA Young Journalist of the Year award was as closely fought as ever, and certainly gave the judges a tough time. The fact that Dan has risen so quickly to a senior position at Motorsport News is testament to his natural journalistic flair and ability, both of which were evident in his submission.”

McCalla will collect a trophy and a cheque for £1000 at the MSA’s Night of Champions ceremony at the Royal Automobile Club in London on 20 January 2012.

Previous winners:2010: Rob Ladbrook, Motorsport News2009: Ben Anderson, Autosport2008: Ed Foster, Motor Sport2007: Steven English, Autosport2006: Kevin Turner, Autosport2005: Glenn Freeman, Motorsport News2004: Gemma Briggs, Racecar/Haymarket2003: Tim Redmayne, Motorsport News2002: Will Gray, Collings Sport