In a setting of Red, Black and Gold; V8 Ute drivers, Teams, Commercial Partners and special guests donned their best Burlesque outfits for the 2012 V8 Ute Racing Series Gala Awards Night, at the Kirribilli Club on the shoreline of Sydney Harbour.
Amongst the Award ceremony were performances by the Rogue Dolls (a mix between Moulin Rouge and rivalling Christina Aguileras performance in Burlesque) and ventriloquist Darren Carr, who put on a great show including a guest appearance by V8 Ute veteran Andrew Fisher.
Ten Awards were handed out during the night including V8 Utes equivalent to the Brownlow Medal, The Piston Cup, which was awarded to Adelaides Craig Dontas. The winner is judged to be a great ambassador for the series; to show a willingness to be involved in a variety of V8 Ute associated activities, including vehicle displays, signing sessions, off-track promotional activity, commercial partner requirements, such as hot laps and V8 Ute official functions.
Sydney back packer mogul Warren Millet took out the 2012 Masters Award for the best performing driver over 45 years of age.
Jake McNally claimed the Most Improved Driver Award (awarded to the driver with the overall most improved performance, in comparing the current series point score result with that of previous years). Jake pipped his brother Rhys by only 24 points to take claim to the Award.
The Best Presented Team went to Ice Break Racing for the team with consistent delivery as the most professional vehicle and team presentation over the season.
Team of the Year went to Murphy Racing, the Team that accumulates the highest number of Series Points divided by the number of race cars entered in that team. Murphy Racing is made up of Nathan Pretty, Craig Dontas and most recently Gerard McLeod.
Manuel and Brad Crawford from Wanda Paints presented Kris Walton with the 2012 V8 Ute Rookie of the Year and Ashley Cooper Memorial Trophy. The Ashley Cooper Memorial Trophy was introduced in 2009 to remember 2005 V8 Ute Rookie of the Year Ashley Cooper. Ashley donated all of his organs, saving seven lives including a six year old. His family have since set-up the Ashley Cooper Foundation, to support other families in the same circumstances and to encourage others to help save lives such as what Ashley did.
The top three drivers for the Series were also announced; Nathan Pretty (Third Outright), David Sieders (Second Outright) and Ryal Harris the new ENZED Drivers Champion and winner of the 2012 Auto One V8 Ute Racing Seriesprotected by Armor All.
Pretty was also awarded a test drive with Holden Racing V8 Supercar Team as the Highest scoring Holden driver, and Harris was given a test drive with Ford Performance V8 Supercar Racing Team as the Highest scoring Ford driver.
Joe Devries from Big Gun Racing was awarded The Team Manager of the Year as the Manager with the highest Ranking driver in the Series.
V8 Ute CAMS Category Technical Commissioner John Torr was given special mention for his time with the V8 Ute Series. Torr has taken ill mid - season and will not continue his role in 2013, however was presented with a framed print as appreciation of his services, which was accepted by V8 Ute Race Director and IPO, James Taylor, on Johns behalf.
David McCowatt was also recognised for his 7 years as the Companys Independent Chairman. David stepped down this year to concentrate on his new business development role with BOC Gases. It was also announced that Peter Henry (former CEO of Auto One) will take up the Chairmans role from January 1 next year.
To wrap up the 2012 Auto One V8 Ute Racing Seriesprotected by Armor All, tune in to Network Seven, Saturday, 15th December from 3:30pm (Check Local Guides) to recap on all of the action from the Grand Finale around the Streets of Sydney.
