Kaikohe Speedway
Having taken out the Taipa Speedway's Sportsman of the Year and Men's Saloon titles earlier in the month, Tony Cree added several more trophies to his already laden mantelpiece at Kaikohe Speedway's end-of-season prizegiving a week later.
There, Cree took out the championship and most improved driver award in the limited saloon grade which, along with Taipa stablemate Carole Teixeira, saw him achieve the rare feat of securing end-of-season honours with both Far North speedway clubs.
A report from the prizegiving ceremony which took place at the Kaikohe RSA on Saturday, July 13 allowed the Mid North club's stalwarts to celebrate both highs and lows from another great season of racing over the 2012/13 summer.
The highlight of the evening was John Hussey, who has been racing a limited saloon grade for the last four years, accepting the Driver of the Year award. Hussey also received the slightly more infamous Most Pistons Popped award, and shared the Poo Paddle with Geordie Inglis, given to those most guilty of making little 'stirring' comments during the season.
The opening awards made on the night were for the year's most improved drivers and these went to Cree as noted above, Dave Cortesi (C-grade), Melissa Aukett (production and ladies' overall), Mike James (B grade), and Shirley Andresen (supers), with the Most Improved Driver Overall Trophy going to Colin Aukett. Next the titles for champions on overall points within their respective grades were given out and recipients included Carole Teixeira (C-grade overall and C-grade ladies), Rex Roycroft (production), Melissa Aukett and Mike James.
The Overall Points Award for the Season went Rex 'Old Fox' Roycroft, who also took home the Long Service Award for being a great supporter of local speedway, and with his family founding members of the club; the Best Presented Car went to Max Andresen (super saloons); and the Vice President's Sportsman of the Year award went to Ray Jordan for his involvement within the club for many years - he is still racing a super saloon at 70-plus years of age. The Outstanding Service to the Club Award was presented to a hard-working track committee - Max Andresen, John Hussey, Bruce Mallindine, Geordie Inglis and Ants Dale - for giving up many hours before each day's racing to prepare the track.
Other trophies presented included, Best Rollover: Bob Corscadden, whose first words to the infield workers after crashing his sprintcar during the Easter Stampede were, 'I hope someone captured that!'; and the Bad Luck Award, going to Ants Dale who blew a hose while driving his production car with the spraying water blinding two other cars who then hit Dale. Last and least were the two wooden spoon awards which the club's report from the night noted everyone tries not to receive. Along with the aforementioned Poo Paddle, Chris Cronk was given the Biggest Stirrer award.
Club president Max 'Mad Max' Andresen did the honours on the evening, first presenting all those who had helped during the season with appreciation certificates, before handing out the major trophies. He rounded off the evening thanking everyone for a great season and said the club was already looking forward to the coming summer.