Twelve outstanding motorsport competitors have been nominated for four Motorsport New Zealand premier awards to be presented at the organisation’s annual awards ceremony.
The winners will join the likes of Scott Dixon, Greg Murphy, Jason Richards and the late Peter ‘Possum’ Bourne.
Young gun and Toyota Racing Series winner Mitch Evans has achieved more than most in his first 15 years on the planet. He’ll be hoping to wrestle the prestigious Jim Clark Trophy away from current holder, and 2010 nominee, John McIntyre and the New Zealand V8 and Porsche GT3 champion Craig Baird.
The Jim Clarke Trophy is awarded to a New Zealand driver competing at a national or higher level who shows sportsmanlike attitude to the sport and fellow competitors, while displaying natural ability in putting up the most meritorious racing performance during the season.
The Rally Founders Trophy, won a record four times by Possum Bourne, is presented to the rally competitor who performs with distinction nationally or internationally and displays the qualities of a true sporting ambassador.
It will be a close-fought run between South Canterbury ’s rising star and NZRC defending champion Hayden Paddon, Otago’s Emma Gilmour – who would become only the second woman after Deborah Kibble in 2002 to win the trophy – and winner of the International Classic Rally of Otago, Derek Ayson.
Mitch Evans is also nominated for the Steel Trophy, which acknowledges drivers under the age of 21 who display distinction at national level and have their intentions set on the upper echelons of the sport. Evans will have to hold out Nick Cassidy and William Bamber, who have also had very successful seasons on the track.
Motorsport legend and MBE Kenny Smith, along with fellow competitor Steve Ross and the late David Brown, are considered to embody the spirit and values associated with Historic and Classic racing. Only one of the three will receive the Lupp Trophy for their passion, vehicle presentation and sportsmanship. The late Sybil Lupp began competing in motorsport in 1947 and by 1952 had won 144 trophies. The Lupp Trophy is kindly donated from her collection by the MG Car Club.
The awards will be presented at Motorsport New Zealand ’s Annual Awards on 22 May.
The nominees for the Premier Awards are:
The Jim Clark Trophy
Craig Baird
John McIntyre
Mitch Evans
Rally Founders Trophy
Hayden Paddon
Emma Gilmour
Derek Ayson
The Steel Trophy
Mitch Evans
Nick Cassidy
William Bamber
Lupp Trophy
David Brown
Kenny Smith
Steve Ross
