Speedway Sedans of Victoria stage successful awards night
The inaugural Speedway Sedans Victoria Awards Night in Ballarat was hailed as a success with the best on and off the track were celebrated.
The SSV Awards Night was held at the Ballarat Golf Club on June 29.
Some of the biggest cheers were saved for young guns River Paterson and Axel Robinson, who received Junior Driver of the Year and Junior New Stars awards.
In addition to winning the Victorian Modified Sedan title, Brad Wicks was also named as the Senior Driver of the Year.
SSV Juniors River Paterson, SSV President Rod Meakins and Axel Robinson. Image: Napier Photography
Leading the way was overall Production Sedans Victoria Series champion Trevor Mills, who also won the Southern Series, while Jaiden Healey took the Northern Series.
The driver who finished third in the Southern Series, Jack Bear, wanted as the Most Consistent driver.
Best presented team honours were received by Zoey Salau, who drove for the #52 Swan Hill team.
Dale Morrison secured the Coastal Series honours in the Alexandra #13, whilst Steve Watts in the Warrnambool #5 was dominant in the Northern Chapter and did enough to secure the overall series victory.
Both Morrison and Tim Hutchinson shared Most Consistent Driver honours, while Jayden Bromeley’s Ballarat #62 team was the best presented.
SSV President Rod Meakins was joined by Liam Aunger, who is the media and commentary representative.
The SSV Production Series winner Trevor Mills (centre) with third placed Jack Bear and runner-up Stephen Laidlaw. Image: Napier Photography
AUTO ACTION publisher Bruce Williams was also on stage and entertained the crowd as a guest speaker.
Both Aunger and Meakins presented the Peoples Awards.
Long term and widely respected SSV member Luke Brown was popularly named as the volunteer of the year.
After completing extensive developments throughout the season and hosting some of the biggest events, Hamilton’s Western Speedway was named as track of the year.
The club of the year was the Wangaratta Motorsports Club with spokesperson Felicity Roycroft outlining the club’s family run environment.
The doubleheader of Modified Sedans and Street Stocks at Warrnambool’s Premier Speedway was adjudged as the event of the year.
Mildura’s Timmis Speedway was crowned as the Most Improved Track and president Geoff Fell promised there is more to come.
SSV Super Sedans Series fourth place Tim Hutchinson, third place Dale Morrison, winner Steve Watts, runner-up Morris Ahearn and fifth place Dean Jenkins. Image: Napier Photography
Having been described as an “icon of social media for Street Stocks” Morris Ahearn and his team secured the Street Stock ambassadors award.
In Modified Sedans Graham West and his iconic LJ Torana taking home this award.
Super Sedans rookie Brock Atkins was recognised for working with his brother Adam to get American driver Jesse Sobbing racing down under.
Veteran of Production Sedans and all round gentlemen of the Division Stephen Laidlaw was fittingly awarded with the Production Sedan mantle.
The final two awards of the night were two of the most special.
The first was issued by the president himself Meakins and went to Kenneth Mankey.
The award recognises hard work, respect, reliability and an all round bigger picture type attitude.
Mankey sold his own racecar to further pursue an official role, giving up his fun of driving himself to put others before himself.
Finally, SSV life membership went to Kellie Atkins, who was completely surprised by the honour.
Images: Napier Photography
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