Kostecki receives Peter Brock Medal at MA Awards

Supercars champion Brodie Kostecki made his first public appearance since the news he will miss the Bathurst 500 at the Motorsport Australia National Awards Gala Dinner.

The who’s who of the sport were at the event held at the Melbourne and Exhibition Centre with national champions and special award winners crowned.

One of the most notable faces at the night was Kostecki, who was on hand as the reigning Supercars champion.

A full house in Melbourne enjoys the awards night.

His presence was significant given it is the first time he has been seen in the public sphere since news of his falling out with Erebus Motorsport became public. 

As a result he will not be driving at the season-opening Bathurst 500 and it remains to be seen whether he will race at all in 2024 with the drama still playing out.

Since then Kostecki has kept a low profile but his familiar smile was back on show at the MA awards.

Brodie Kostecki was honoured for his exceptional 2023 campaign. Image: Mark Horsburgh

The 26-year-old was recognised for his special drive to the 2023 Supercars title which contained 12 podiums with at least one at 10 of the 12 rounds.

His season was highlighted by six wins at Albert Park, Sydney Motorsport Park and Tailem Bend.

In addition to the Supercars title, Kostecki claimed the prestigious Peter Brock Medal.

The award named after the iconic nine-time Bathurst 1000 winner recognises the sport’s rising stars and is voted upon by a special selection committee.

Another West Australian young gun Aaron Love was also honoured.

The 21-year-old who will make his full-time Supercars debut this year was named as the 2023 Young Driver of the Year Award winner having impressed both domestically and overseas in Porsches in recent years.

Aaron Love accepts the 2023 Young Driver award from Coral Taylor.

Some of the biggest applause were saved for Dick Johnson, who was named as the Member of Honour.

Johnson has been present at every Bathurst 1000 as either a driver or team owner since 1973 and in 2022 DJR became the first team to clock 1000 ATCC/Supercars races.

In that time Johnson himself won the Great Race three times in 1981, 1989 and 1994 plus achieved five ATCC crowns between 1981 and 1989.

Since retiring in 1999, Johnson has owned DJR which has achieved four more Supercars titles in 2010, 2018, 2019 and 2020, while Scott McLaughlin and Alex Premat broke the Bathurst drought in 2019.

Stalwarts Lawrie Schmitt, Paul Morris, Frank Lowndes, Stephen Preece and Phillip East each received MA Life Memberships for their contributions on and off the track.

Suzanne Dixon was named the Official of the Year.

The esteemed Presidential Citation recognising special dedication to the sport over many years went to Jeff Mattner, David Halstead, Gordon Smith and Maverick Kemenyvary.

Smith and Kemenyvary received it for their courageous efforts in saving a fellow competitor from a burning car at Queensland Raceway last year.

Alongside the pair was Steve Kirby, who was named as the 2023 Donald Thompson Award winner.

With more than two decades of service, Susanne Dixon was a well-deserved recipient of the 2023 Australian Motorsport Official of the Year award.

Another experienced individual was Kevin Drage who was recognised with the Phil Irvine Award.

Full list of award winners are below.

2023 Life Membership – Lawrie Schmitt
2023 Life Membership – Paul Morris
2023 Life Membership – Frank Lowndes
2023 Life Membership – Stephen Preece
2023 Life Membership – Phillip East
2023 Presidential Citation – Jeff Mattner
2023 Presidential Citation – Gordon Smith
2023 Presidential Citation – Maverick Kemenyvary
2023 Presidential Citation – David Halstead
2023 Member of Honour – Dick Johnson
Motorsport Journalist of the Year – Andrew van Leeuwen
Breaking News Story of the Year – Connor O’Brien
Best Use of Digital Media – V8 Sleuth
Motorsport Photograph of the Year – Timothy Wilson
Motorsport Photographer of the Year – Jack Martin
Peter Brock Medal – Brodie Kostecki
Phil Irvine Award – Kevin Drage
Donald Thompson Award – Steve Kirby
Australian Motorsport Official of the Year – Susanne Dixon
Young Driver of the Year – Aaron Love

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