Motorsport’s Premier Awards Announced

 
Media Release

Motorsport’s Premier Awards Announced

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 went to NZV8s driver and team owner John McIntyre. During the 2006-07 season he established his own team which set a new benchmark for professionalism in the class and then went on to drive his car to victory in the class. McIntyre now lives in Nelson but his team is based in Hawkes Bay.

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 Formula Ford driver Sam MacNeill from Palmerston North and A1GP NZ driver Jonny Reid, Auckland.

The Rally Founders Trophy for the rally driver who performs with distinction nationally or internationally was presented to Richard Mason of Masterton. He also won the trophy in 2003. Running his own team, Mason had an exceptional season, winning the New Zealand championship including taking out the Asia Pacific Rally Championship round in New Zealand against several top overseas drivers, and a debut win in the China Rally Championship.

The two other finalists for this award were Emma Gilmour from Dunedin and Timaru’s Hayden Paddon.

Porsche GT3 driver Jonathon Lester received the Steel Trophy which recognises the outstanding Under 21 racing driver. The 17 year old from Taupo finished fourth in the highly competitive series behind three professional drivers.

The award was particularly special for Lester because it also carries the names of his father Richard, who was the inaugural winner in 1983 and his aunt, Debbie Lester who won it in 1986.

Other finalists were Toyota Racing Series driver, 18 year old, Shane van Gisbergen from Auckland who has already won it twice, and Formula Ford driver Andrew Waite, 18 also from Auckland.

The Lupp Trophy, which recognises exceptional sportsmanship and vehicle presentation in the very popular field of classic car racing, was won by Noel Atley from Invercargill. He races a Begg car in New Zealand and overseas, assists other competitors in their overseas campaigns and organised the tribute to George Begg in Invercargill just weeks before Begg’s death.

Other finalists for the Lupp Trophy were Jim Barclay from Auckland and Brian McCombe from Dunedin.

Commenting on the awards, Steven Kennedy said that the efforts of McIntyre and Mason in particular showed what could be achieved by enthusiasm and dedication.

“While the drivers get their names on the awards, motorsport today is very much a team effort.

 “Both drivers are backed by exceptional crews of engineer and mechanics, who, for the most part, have day jobs. These are not big budget teams with extensive corporate backing but could best be described as amateur teams with a very professional attitude.

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