Motorsport’s Premier Awards Announced

Media Release Saturday 19 May 2012

Motorsport’s Premier Awards Announced

Four exceptional motorsport personalities were rewarded for their achievements on Saturday night at the annual Motorsport Awards held in Auckland . MotorSport New Zealand (MSNZ) also presented several other honours for distinguished service, merit, volunteering and media excellence.

“We have witnessed another outstanding year of racing, with our drivers, officials and volunteers stepping it up yet another gear,” said MotorSport New Zealand president Shayne Harris .

“The domestic competitions have been fierce and fantastic to watch, and our top race and rally drivers have, once again, proven themselves internationally.”

“These awards congratulate drivers who have displayed both competition brilliance and sportsmanship towards competitors and race officials.”

Richie Stanaway, 2011 German Formula 3 Champion, has won MotorSport New Zealand ’s prestigious Jim Clark Trophy.

The Jim Clark Trophy recognises the driver who has demonstrated excellent performance and sportsmanship. Stanaway (Tauranga) – a graduate of the MSNZ Elite Motorsport Academy - has made huge strides in a very short time, claiming the Formula Ford Championship in 2008 with a staggering 14 wins at the age of 16.

Hayden Paddon, from Geraldine, has dominated the domestic rally scene in recent years, winning junior and national titles from an early age. Subsequently, he has made a huge splash internationally, winning the Production World Rally Championship in 2011 and currently sitting second in the Super 2000 World Rally Championship. He was awarded the Rally Founders Trophy for the fifth successive year.

The Steel Trophy , which recognises the outstanding junior (under 21) driver, was presented to Nick Cassidy. This year, 17-year-old Cassidy ( Auckland ) claimed both the Toyota Racing Series and the NZ Grand Prix trophy, and is now pursuing his racing career abroad in the Formula Renault Eurocup Series.

The Lupp Trophy , which is awarded to a competitor in the Historic and Classic field, who has displayed exceptional levels of sportsmanship and made a significant contribution to the class, was presented to Brian Dixon ( Christchurch ).

Dixon has been president of the Classic Motor Racing Club for nearly a decade, and served for the past seven years as Race Chairman on the CMRC “ENZED Classic” committee (annual race event at Timaru). Dixon also raced a Lotus 7 for many years before moving to a classic Van Dieman Formula Ford.

Other awards presented on the night include:

The Ron Frost Memorial Award presented to Aucklanders Barrie and Louise Thomlinson. The husband and wife team are category managers of the Toyota Racing Series, who work tirelessly to ensure that the premier ‘wings and slicks’ category operates smoothly and efficiently.

Volunteer of the Year was presented to Debbie Day ( Auckland ). Debbie has been involved in motorsport since the age of 12, spending countless hours volunteering, and played a major role in setting up and running ‘The Motorsport Club’ for the combined Auckland Race Clubs, which serves to guide new volunteers in the sport.

Awards of Merit were presented to long-serving steward Ian Snellgrove (Carterton) and Jim Scott (Whangamata). Snellgrove has been a volunteer for approximately 50 years, as well as a former race competitor and NZ MotorSport administrator. Snellgrove’s name is synonymous with New Zealand motorsport.

Scott has also been a volunteer and competitor for around 40 years, having co-driven for many top drivers and then gone on to act as a competitor relations officer for national rally events in NZ, Australia and New Caledonia

A Special Award was made to Toyota NZ, which has supported NZ motorsport unwaveringly over the years. This manufacturer created a new race category back in 2005, naming it the Toyota Racing Series, which has gone from strength to strength with the 2012 season being a real standout success story for the class .

Distinguished Service Awards were presented to: long-serving volunteer to Rally New Zealand John Holland (Putaruru); steward and life member of the Pukekohe, Car Club Stuart Holmes; Hawke’s Bay Car Club legend and custodian, Dougal Agnew; longstanding rally supporter and administrator, Steve Foster ( Hastings ).

Journalism Media Award , Rob Scott (Auckland); Journalism Media Award – Highly Commended, Eric Thompson (Auckland); TV Media Award, Dave Hedge (Auckland); Photographer of the Year (Portfolio), Geoff Ridder (Hamilton); President’s Award (single shot) Geoff Ridder (Hamilton); Media Personality of the Year, Emma Gilmour (Dunedin) .
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