MotorSport New Zealand’s premier awards were announced by MotorSport New Zealand president Shayne Harris in Wellington on Saturday night.
“These awards are based on both competition performance and a 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 Craig Baird MNZM, recognising his feat in winning the V8s Touring Car and Porsche GT3 Championships in the same season which also earned him a special citation for Outstanding Achievement. Baird, who became a Member of the NZ Order of Merit in the New Year’s Honours List, is New Zealand’s most successful racing driver, have won 26 championships during a racing career spanning over 30 years. He is a member of the MotorSport Wall of Fame. Baird, who also won the award in 1992, was unable to collect his award in person as he is racing in China this weekend.
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 V8 driver and team owner John McIntyre (Nelson) and rising star Mitch Evans (Auckland) who had a stand out season in the Toyota Racing Series.
The Rally Founders Trophy for the rally driver who performs with distinction nationally or internationally was presented to Hayden Paddon (Geraldine) for the third year running. The 2008 and 2009 national rally champion, Paddon is contesting the Production World Rally Championship this year after winning the Pirelli Star Scholarship as well as the New Zealand championship.
The two other finalists for this award were 4WD competitor Emma Gilmour (Hamilton) and classic rally competitor Derek Ayson (Clinton).
Mitch Evans was awarded the Steel Trophy which recognises the outstanding Under 21 racing driver. In his rookie season in the Toyota Racing Series the 15 year old displayed remarkable driving talents to take the hotly contested championship. He also won the international series and was Rookie of the Year in TRS, following up his second place in the 2009 Australian Formula Ford championship.
Other finalists for the award were William Bamber (Wanganui) who raced in the Suzuki Sports class and Nick Cassidy (Auckland), a former Speedsport Scholarship winner racing Formula Ford.
The Lupp Trophy, which recognises exceptional sportsmanship and contribution to the very popular field of classic car racing, was awarded to the late David Brown (Timaru). He competed in a range of motorsport through his South Canterbury Car Club and the Classic Motor Racing Club for over 30 years
Other finalists for the Lupp Trophy were Ken Smith MBE (Auckland) and Steven Ross (Dunedin), both successful F5000 racers.
Commenting on the awards, Shayne Harris said that the performances of the winners and other finalists showed the huge benefit being delivered to the sport by the Elite MotorSport Academy and other development programmes run by the sport.
“Haddon and Mitch are two more examples of the talented young drivers who have been through these programmes. 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 involving engineers, mechanics and competitors families too,” he said.
Three special awards were also presented. Stepping down after 25 years’ service to the sport at the national level including 12 years as president, Steven Kennedy (Otautau) was presented with the President d’Honneur Award. He has led the sport through a period of significant development in both its administration and sporting activities.
Graeme Roberston (Hamilton) was presented with the Member d’Honneur award. He has filled a wide range of roles and is currently chief clerk of the course and event director for the national race championships, whilst still being an active rally competitor.
For his services to rallying, which started with handling logistics for overseas teams in the New Zealand round of the World Rally Championship in the mid-1980s, current chairman of Rally of New Zealand, Chris Carr received a Distinguished Service Award.
A MotorSport Award of Merit was presented to Willard Martin (Auckland) in recognition of the many roles he has filled in motorsport, including being closely involved in the operations of Rally New Zealand for many years and in his role as an administrator in international rallying.
Awards were also made to Alastair Corbett, recently retired motorsport manager for Dunlop Tyres, Dr Bruce Stewart, the sport’s medical adviser and to Kenny Smith MBE for special contributions they have made to the sport.
“The sport is fortunate to have volunteers of such calibre who have been prepared to devote many hours and days of their time to help guide the development and ongoing activities of the sport on behalf of thousands of competitors across the country,” Mr Harris said.
