Motorsport NT celebrates its inaugural awards night with 21 category winners

MOTORSPORT NT celebrated its 2018 season in style on Saturday when it hosted its inaugural awards night at Darwin’s SkyCity Casino.

Volunteer winners from motorsport categories across the NT _ from left, Jimmy Mann(DSRDA), Angela Menzies (TCSC), Tim Gwynne (DMCC), Phil Kerr on behalf of Evan Vale (CARS), John Brown (HVDRA), Gary Kohlman (AHMA), Arie Mombers(DKA), Tony Connor(ASKC), Stewart Baehnisch (TEDA), Deborah Townsend (TERRA), Brett Edwards(KMSC), Peter Donovan on behalf of Greg Logan(TEMRA), Jodi Abela(TEMCC), and Dallas Window(TQA). Picture: Tim Nicol Photography

MOTORSPORT NT celebrated its 2018 season in style on Saturday when it hosted its inaugural awards night at SkyCity Casino.

The casino’s beachside pavilion hosted 215 officials, drivers, riders and fans for the gala night that recognised motorsport’s ultimate achievers through the 2018 year.

Territory motorsport exports Thomas Maxwell and Bryce Fullwood were the guest speakers.

Maxwell spoke on his Formula Renault experience in Europe and ambition to reach the top in Formula 1 racing and Fullwood told the big crowd in attendance of the requirements, demands and thrill of V8 Supercar racing.

Confederation of Australian Motor Sports (CAMS) board member Bob Piper and Territory Sports Minister Lauren Moss were also in attendance.

A total of 19 volunteers from across the Territory were rewarded for their tireless but highly recognised efforts in keeping the wheels turning, engines running and competition schedules on track in cars, dual wheel bikes, buggies and quad bike events right across the Northern Territory and at national championships.

Centralian Leonie Kerr won the prestigious Motorsport NT Person of the Year award for her continued services to the sport.

One of Alice Springs’ most recognisable motorsport officials, Leonie’s involvement with rally car racing through the Central Australia Rally Sports Club and go-kart racing stretches over two decades.

Darwin’s Chace Karpenko’s continued his rise in local and national sprintcar racing when he won the speedway Driver of the Year award.

And the stars of tomorrow were highlighted when Ben Atkinson Jr, the son of Benny (Bad Boy) Atkinson, won the Future Star award for his successful 2018 season.

Karpenko won the NT and Darwin sprintcar titles and the NT Track Championship pointscore crown in a glorious year for himself and his team.

A total of 21 racing categories were recognised on the night, proof again of motorsport’s impact on the lives of Territorians.