The 2014/15 WA Formula 500 season concluded last night with their traditional awards night this year being held at the Forrest Centre Reception Centre in Perth. Eighty guests were in attendance for the evening, which began by acknowledging special guests Ken Brown, Gavin Migro and Granny Higgs as well as the Formula 500 Association of WA life members Colin Schipp, Dave Hedington, Bill Richards, Rob Brown, Brian Mullings and Phil and Ellen Checkley.
The first awards presented were acknowledgment trophies of the top ten in the Perth Motorplex Track Championship, won overall by Tom Hooper, and the top four in the FAST Racing Series, won by Adrian Haywood. Gavin Migro also took the microphone and mentioned what a good year the division had and what the plans were looking like for next season, with a good number of shows expected once again.
Next up was the traditional Stan McEntee Shield presentation for the State Title winner, in this case Tom Hooper who came up and collected his first trophy of the night.
The Outstanding Achievement Award was next and was presented to Troy Johnson for his season that included five heat wins, three feature wins, 6 podium finishes, 8 top 5’s and ten top 10’s out of thirteen race meetings contested. Jeff Hedington was then asked to present his Chief Stewards Award, which went to Cameron McKenzie.
Although not one of the trophies most would like to win, Gavin Connelly was next up as he received the Hard Luck Award which he received in acknowledgment that despite finding the throttle this season, he also found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time too many times.
Ken Brown was the next man recognized and he indeed received a standing ovation as he received the Appreciation Award in recognition of fifty years in Speedway, having had his first article published in the 1965/66 season and continuing to work in the media area consistently since then.
After a short break the awards resumed with the top ten in the West Coast Series acknowledged. The Serieswas held over five rounds with thirty seven drivers competing in five rounds, six of whom competed in all the rounds. There were four different feature winners across the five rounds and ten drivers grabbed a feature podium at least once. Mark House was the overall series winner and was once again happy to be the top finisher, with planning already underway for next season.
The Most Inspiring Moment Award was next up, and with a lot of drivers having a great season it was difficult to pick a winner, but the award went to someone who had six heat wins across theseason, three feature wins, and his worst finish at the Motorplex excluding DNF’s was eighth.The moment that was acknowledged though was when he recorded his maiden feature victory, which just so happened to be the State Title event, with Tom Hooper taking out the trophy.
Adrian Haywood was next up as he received the Most Improved Trophy for a season that saw him win four heat races and also claim his first career feature win during the year. Had he been able to show up in the final event of thePerth Motorplex season he would have been at least fourth place overall in the Track Championship, but he did however take out the FAST Racing series championship.
Another young gun was recognized next, with Jeremy Saffin awarded the Encouragement Award for having yet another consistent season, driving a new car always showing up and pushing the envelope and running the high line as well as anyone. He scored two heat wins and came home fourth in the West Coast Series, which he is looking to build on next season despite running a more limited schedule.
Matt Brown made his way forward and received a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday to celebrate his special day coming up in a couple of days, before he presented the Crash of the Year Award. A picture is worth 1000 words, with Matt Higgs’ crash at Narrogin being played on the big screen before he received the perpetual wheel to acknowledge his crash of the year.
A few of the West Coast Series Awards were next, withthe Hard Charger award for the most cars passed in feature races going to Cameron McKenzie, whileMark House once again received the West Coast Bullet Award for the fastest laps.
One of the biggest awards from a driver’s point of view that can be won is that of the Drivers Driver. This means that you have gained the respect of the other drivers, both on and off the track and shows what sort of esteem you are held in. This year there was a good number of competitors who responded for this award and what is even more amazing is that the votes were actually tied! One of the winning drivers had an epic season, getting his maiden feature win, while the other also had a great time as he amassed two heat wins and five podium finishes at the Motorplex alone. One of these drivers won the Perth MotorplexTrack Championship, the other came third but both had career best seasons and it was a popular announcement when the joint winners of the award were revealed as Tom Hooper and Luke Nardini.
The Best Presented Car and Crew were then presented to Troy Johnson, while youngster Jamie Nardini was speechless as he was voted the recipient of the Rising Star Award for his improving results throughout the season and not one single DNF, showing he can finish races and stay out of trouble. He recorded best results of a fifth place finish no less than three times and finished in the top ten an excellent seven times out of ten shows.
The final two awards of theevening were next, with the Rookie of the Year trophy going to Cameron McKenzie who scored a season best finish of fourth place, not to mention eight top ten placings. He came home sixth in the Perth Motorplex track Championship, sixth in the West Coast Series and was quite humbled to be announced as the Rookie of the Year,
Matt Brown again returned to the podium and this time worked through the voting system for the Fairest and Best Award, with the winner being voted Tom Hooper, who was once again humbled to be voted the winner, but very proud of the teams efforts, saying he couldn’t wait to do it all again next season!
That bought the awards night to a fitting close, with competitors, officials and teams socializing and celebrating another successful season. Now the work begins for season 2015/16!
Release by DTN Media.