| Fri, Jul 30 5:42AM (NZ) |
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This website is now dedicated to covering the Black Bullets. Current Black Bullets news is now provided on iSportz » with past news archived here for your continued reference.
MotorSport New Zealand's premier awards were announced by MotorSport New Zealand president Steven Kennedy in Wellington on Saturday night.
"These awards are based on both competition performance and also drivers' sportsmanship, attitude to their fellow competitors and to the officials who are critical to the successful and safe running of events," he said.
The prestigious Jim Clark Trophy was won by Jonny Reid (Auckland), the driver who took New Zealand's A1 GP Black Beauty to second in the fast growing international series. He displayed excellent skills on and off the track, dealing with the expectations of New Zealand fans and the demands of the media in a high pressure environment.
The Jim Clark Trophy was established in 1970 in memory of the former world champion driver who was a crowd favourite in New Zealand, winning the Tasman Championship three times in the years prior to his death in a racing accident in 1968.
Other finalists for this award were trans Tasman Porsche GT3 champion Craig Baird (Brisbane) and John McIntyre (Nelson) the V8s driver and team owner who won this year's New Zealand championship and was awarded this trophy in 2007.
 The Rally Founders Trophy for the rally driver who performs with distinction nationally or internationally was presented to Hayden Paddon (Geraldine). Winner of the Junior Rally Championship in 2006 and 2007 and runner up in the 2007 national championship, Hayden has displayed outstanding skills at a young age.
The two other finalists for this award were 2WD specialist Dave Strong (Auckland) and 2WD and 4WD competitor, Mark Tapper (Auckland).
Earl Bamber (Wanganui) was awarded the Steel Trophy which recognises the outstanding Under 21 racing driver. In 2007 the 17 year old was the first rookie to win the Formula BMW Asia championship. He finished second in the Toyota Racing Series championship in New Zealand following a series of outstanding drives.
Other finalists for the award were Shane Van Gisbergen (formerly of Auckland) who has already won the trophy twice and as a young driver has made an immediate impact in V8 Supercars, Brendon Hartley (formerly of Palmerston North) who is contesting the British International Formula Three championship and New Zealand Formula Ford champion John Whelan (Dunedin).
The Lupp Trophy, which recognises exceptional sportsmanship and contribution to the very popular field of classic car racing, was won by David Abbott (Christchurch). He has worked tirelessly to help promote classic racing and F5000 in particular over many years and competes throughout New Zealand and across the Tasman.
Other finalists for the Lupp Trophy were Dennis and Debbie Chapman (Christchurch) and Alan Woolf (Auckland).
Commenting on the awards, Steven Kennedy said that the performances of the winners and other finalists showed the huge benefit being delivered to the sport by the MotorSport Academy and other development programmes run by the sport.
"We are seeing young drivers who have been through these programmes achieving both at home and on the world stage. They are exceptional athletes but we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that while the drivers get their names on the awards, motorsport today is very much a team effort.
"For drivers to achieve they must be backed by dedicated crews of engineers and mechanics and it is important we recognise their contribution too. "
Three special awards were also presented. Retiring vice-president Paul Te Punga (Hutt City) was awarded the sport's Member d'Honneur Award. After 17 years' service, pressure of business has forced him to retire from the sport's administration. "He has played a key role in helping guide the development of the sport in many areas; race, rally and historic," Mr Kennedy said.
Auckland race car team owner Lyall Williamson was presented with the Ron Frost Award for his contribution to the development of drivers in a variety of classes, his involvement in education of motorsport crews and his dedication to the sport.
The MotorSport Award of Merit was presented to Tony Herbert (Auckland) in recognition of the many roles he has filled in the sport including trustee of several sports trusts, a member of the National Court of Appeal and a leading mentor and official at the Elite MotorSport Academy.
"The sport is fortunate to have volunteers of such calibre who have helped guide it during an exciting period of its development as one of New Zealand's biggest and most popular sports," Mr Kennedy said.
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