Finalists for MotorSport Awards Announced

Media Release

Wednesday 9 May 2007

Finalists for MotorSport Awards Announced

The finalists for the 2007 MotorSport New Zealand Premier Awards have been announced by president, Mr Steven Kennedy.

“There are four awards covering racing, rallying, junior racing and historic and classic racing. In the first three the criteria for selection include outstanding driving performance at national or international level and a professional and sportsman-like attitude,” he said.

“The historic and classic trophy recognises sportsmanship, vehicle presentation and the spirit and values associated with this class of racing.

“In total we received 34 nominations across the four awards and the winners will be announced at the MotorSport Awards in Wellington on Saturday May 26.”

Finalists for the Jim Clark Trophy, which recognises the outstanding racing driver are:

- NZV8 championship winner, team owner and driver John McIntyre, who now lives in Nelson,
- Formula Ford champion Sam MacNeill from Palmerston North, and
- Jonny Reid from Auckland, the A1GP NZ team driver who played a key role in helping the team achieve a second placing in the championship.

The leading rally driver receives the Rally Founders Trophy. The finalists for this trophy are:

- Emma Gilmour from Dunedin, who has performed with distinction in New Zealand and overseas,
- Richard Mason (Masterton), the current New Zealand rally champion who has also been competing in the Chinese national rally championship, and
- Timaru’s Haydon Paddon, a young driver who burst onto the national scene last year.

The Steel Trophy recognises outstanding talent among Under 21 racing drivers. Nominations for the 2007 award are:

- Jonathon Lester, 17 years old, from Taupo, who in his first year in the Porsche GT3 Championship, finished fourth as the leading rookie driver
- Shane van Gisbergen (Auckland), aged 18 and already with his name on this trophy twice, who finished second in the Toyota Racing Series in his first season in the high powered single seaters
- Andrew Waite (Auckland), 18 who produced a consistent and outstanding result to finish second in the Formula Ford championship.

Finalists for the Lupp Trophy are:

Noel Atley from Invercargill who races a Begg car in New Zealand and overseas, assists other classic competitors in their overseas campaigns and organised the recent George Begg Tribute
Jim Barclay from Auckland, president and a driving force in TACCOC (Thoroughbred and Classic Car owners Club), and
Brian McCombe from Dunedin, a key organiser of the Southern Festival of Speed and the Dunedin Street Race.

ENDS

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