MotorSport New Zealand’s premier awards announced

MotorSport New Zealand’s premier awards announced

MotorSport New Zealand recognised its best and brightest at the governing body’s annual awards ceremony, held in Wellington on Saturday 23 May. The evening began and ended with emotion on stage, as the motorsport community paid tribute to those who have excelled on track, and contributed off it, in the past 12 months.

Dedicated organiser and administrator Karen Paddon (motorsport manager of South Canterbury Car Club) opened the evening by tearfully accepting her Distinguished Service Award. Karen has played an integral role in New Zealand motorsport for more than 35 years, working behind the scenes to ensure events in several categories run smoothly.

To close the evening, immensely proud father Bryan Hartley accepted the Premier Award in New Zealand motorsport - The Jim Clark Trophy (awarded to the most meritorious racer) - on behalf of his son Brendon, who continues to build on his impressive progress in the sport overseas. He is currently competing as a factory Porsche driver in the prestigious FIA World Endurance Championship, and has had many highlights in the past 12 months, including competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Paddon and Hartley’s awards were among a number presented in recognition of excellence in the fields of racing, technical, volunteering, membership and media excellence.

“It’s my great privilege to honour this year’s well-deserving winners,” said MotorSport New Zealand President Shayne Harris. “These members have made a huge contribution to our sport, both on the national and international stage.”

Awards presented included:

The Jim Clark Trophy, which recognises the driver who has demonstrated excellent performance and sportsmanship, was awarded to Brendon Hartley.

The Rally Founders Trophy is presented to a driver who performs with distinction during the rally season and displays the qualities of a true sporting ambassador. This year’s winner is Richard Mason, the current NZ Rally Champion, a title he has won a staggering five times.

The Steel Memorial Trophy, which recognises the most outstanding junior driver (under-21), was presented to New Zealand Formula Ford winner James Munro.

The Lupp Trophy is awarded to a competitor from Classic and Historic racing, who has demonstrated exceptional levels of sportsmanship and vehicle presentation, and who embodies the very spirit and values associated with the Classic and Historic movement. This year, Terry Collier received the award for his dedication and commitment to the category as a competitor and administrator.

The MotorSport Media Personality of the Year Award went to Hayden Paddon, who was selected by Motorsport Accredited Media for the way he conducts himself as a representative of New Zealand motorsport on an international stage. The judges noted that Hayden is generous in the time he gives to fans and the media, and is consistently engaging and professional in his relationship with both.

Volunteer of the Year was presented to husband and wife team Allan and Sue Baird for their work as officials in a wide variety of events in circuit racing, rally and clubsport.

Ron McMillan and Barry Carrington were both recognised with Technical D’Honneur awards for their excellent work over a long period of time as scrutineers and in other technical aspects of the sport.

The Ron Frost Award was presented to Jim Barclay for his dedication to historic motorsport in New Zealand. Barclay joined the Historic Racing Club in 1998 and founded the New Zealand Festival of Motor Racing in 2010.

For contribution to the sport, Distinguished Service Awards were presented to Karen Paddon, John Armstrong, Nigel Russell, Terry Collier, Jill Cowham, and Awards of Merit to Steph Harris and Roger Laird.

The Certificate of Outstanding Achievement was presented to husband and wife team Richard and Sara Mason for their success in rallying over a long period of time. The pair have won the NZ Rally Championship five times, including victory in their home rally (Wairarapa) eight out of the ten times it has been held.

Media Awards

MotorSport NZ general manager Brian Budd acknowledged the importance of the media in growing the profile of the sport and attracting interest and sponsors in events and competitors.

Media Award winners were:

News Journalist of the Year: Shaun Summerfield

Feature Journalist of the Year: Donn Anderson

Photographer of the Year (Portfolio): Bruce Jenkins

President’s Award (single shot): Terry Marshall

Historic Heritage Awards: Jim Barclay, John Nicholson, Cary Taylor, Rob Wilson.

Category Award Winners

2015 Clubsport Awards

Hillclimb Gold Star Champion: Neil Webb (Blenheim)

Junior ClubSport Champion: Bayley Donald (Featherston)

ClubSport Gold Star Champion: Paul Walbran (Auckland)

2014 Rally Awards

Brian Green Property Group NZ Historic Challenge Trophy – Driver & Co-Driver: Marcus van Klink & Dave Neill (Christchurch)

Brian Green Property Group 2WD Champion – Driver and Co-Driver: Max Bayley & Phillip Deakin. (Hastings)

Brian Green Property Group NZ Junior Rally Champion: David Holder (Mt Maunganui)

Brian Green Property Group NZ Gold Star Rally Champion and NZ Gold Star Codriver Champion: Richard & Sara Mason (Masterton)

2014/15 Race Awards

NZ Endurance Champions – 3 hour: Andrew Bagnall & Ant Pedersen (Auckland)

NZ Endurance Champion – 1 hour: Hugh Gardiner (Auckland)

NZ Formula First Champion: Michael Shepherd (Palmerston North)

NZ Porsche Champion: Ian Hayr (Morrinsville)

Super Truck Champion: Andrew Porter (Auckland)

Historic NZ Formula Ford Champion: Roger McKenzie (Auckland)

NZ Formula Ford Class 2 Champion: Stephen Heffernan (Invercargill)

NZ Formula Ford Champion: Taylor Cockerton (Auckland)

Toyota 86 Championship: Tom Alexander (Christchurch)

NZ SuperTourer Sprint and Endurance Champion: Simon Evans (Auckland)

NZV8 Touring Cars Champion (Category TLX): Jason Bargwanna (Australia)

NZV8 Touring Cars Champion (Category TL): Kevin Williams (Auckland)

Bruce McLaren Memorial Trophy: Damon Leitch (Invercargill)

Toyota Racing Series Champion and Gold Star Single Seater Champion: Lance Stroll (Canada)

ENDS

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