The Formula 500 Association of Western Australia last night held their 2013/14 season awards in front of over 100 competitors, their crews, families and supporters at the Novotel Hotel in Perth.
The night began with the top ten in the Perth Motorplex Track Championship after thirteen rounds being presented with medallions; Andrew Priolo winning ahead of Thomas Davies and Jason Priolo.
The top five in the FAST racing series also received awards, with rookie Chanelle Condren taking it out ahead of Andrew Priolo and Brendan Condren.
The Stan McEntee shield for the WA Title was the next award, presented to Victorian Jye O'Keefe who won the race in Kalgoorlie not long after the Australian Title. Unfortunately he was unable to be there so the award was accepted by Ash Kent on his behalf.
The last award of the first lot of presentations was the Outstanding Achievement Award. The voting was tight for this one but in the end it went to Andrew Priolo in recognition of his wins in the West Coast Series, the Bunny Burrowes Memorial, the Perth Motorplex Track Championship and also running speedweek in the eastern states.
"It was hard to do everything," said Priolo from the podium. "We wanted to win the Motorplex Chanpionships but also wanted to race over east. It was a massive effort."
The next lot of awards began with the Chief Stewards Award, which was awarded to Troy Johnson, being recognized as a fair competitor who doesn't get upset and has no conflict with others.
"This is like getting the teachers per award!" Laughed Troy. "We will be back for a good time next year!"
Next up was the Hard Luck Award, presented to Trystan Caley after two engine blow ups, but still making every effort he could to race and the presentation of his car being second to none.
The Dirt Track Nutters were then presented with an appreciation award for all their efforts within club media for the season.
The Racemate West Coast Series top ten were next up with Aaron Fullgrabe tenth, Todd Broadwood ninth, Adrian Fogliani eighth, David Sinagra seventh, Jason Priolo sixth, Troy Johnson fifth and Brock Nanovich fourth. Steven Ellement was third, Thomas Davies took out second while Andrew Priolo won the series and took the opportunity to encourage all competitors to attend the Racemate West Coast Series as it is a lot of fun with some hard racing and is a great place to learn and develop.
The Inspiring Performance Award was next and was presented to Ash Kent who put in 2400km round trips to just compete and also qualified straight into the Australian Title A Main. From the podium Ash mentioned travelling 14,000km in three months is a lot of travelling but that he can't wait to do it all again next season.
Glenn Carstairs then received the Most Improved Award, thanking everyone that he raced against.
The Encouragement award went to a driver who found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time too many times, but someone who always helped others, with the winner being Peter Blight.
Without question, the Crash of the year went to Matt Brown, no comment needed!
The West Coast Series contingency awards were next up and Steven Ellement took out the Pole Shuffle Award while the Hard Charger (person who moved forward the most positions in A mains) went to Aaron Fullgrabe. The West Coast Bullet; for the fastest lap times was then awarded to Andrew Priolo.
Thomas Davies was shocked and grateful to next receive the Drivers Driver Award, mentioning how much he just simply loved to race.
David Sinagra, fresh off welcoming his first child into the world that very morning was next up to receive the Best Presented Car award while Brock Nanovich took out the Best Presented Crew.
After claiming two top four finishes in his first appearances at the Perth Motorplex Luke Nardini was the winner of the Rising Star award, thanking his mum and dad for making it happen.
The coveted Rookie of the Year was then taken out by Chanelle Condren who impressed so many in her first year. She thanked her mum, dad and family for supporting her and her partner Jason for giving her the opportunity.
The final award of the night was the Fairest and Best. Thomas Davies was a deserving winner and has been touted as the next big thing.
Overall it was a great night and now the countdown begins for season 2014/15!
