The NZ Mazda Racing Series competitors and officials gathered in Tauranga recently to celebrate the achievements of a very successful 2022/2023 season. Championship winners received their silverware, other achievements were marked and two new Life Memberships were awarded.
The series features a National Championship and respective North and South Island Championships and the winners of each were acknowledged.
Wellington driver Simon Baker was crowned National Champion for the season, taking that title ahead of young rookie, Chris White Junior of Prebbleton near Christchurch, and Warren Crowther of Auckland.
Rex Edwards of Tauranga won the North Island Championship from Baker with Masterton competitor, Matthew Horne third. White Junior won the South Island title with Matt Dodd of Christchurch the runner-up and Shane Paget of Rangiora third.
Baker also took out the Masters Title in the North Island Championship with Paget taking that honour in the South, while Crowther was the North Island Rookie of the Year and White Junior took that accolade in the south.
The Tauranga Automotive Team of brothers Rex and Terry Edwards claimed the Team Of The Year award contested in conjunction with the North Island Championship.
Elton Wichman of Auckland took the Craig Casey Memorial Award for outstanding service to the class, highlighted when he stood up to act as Secretary for the series when the role became vacant during the year.
Matt Dodd’s presentation of his car throughout the season brought him recognition by way of the Coachwork Of The Year Award, while Karl Gaines was adjudged the Sportsperson Of The Year. Gaines has been a constant presence offering to help and give advice, particularly to younger drivers.
Lindsay Dodd received the Volunteer Of The Year Award for the second year in succession as he continues to spend an enormous amount of time working for the category, especially away from the track while he also assisted Wichman when he became Secretary.
Steven Spear, of Auckland, was the Personality Of The Year, due to his very relaxed approach making him fun to be around while Wichman and Wayne Murray shared the Supporter Of The Year Award, Wichman for providing a car for Flynn Mullany and his work with ECU’s during the year and stepping up to be Secretary and Murray for his outstanding work for Cello Racing. James Parker was named Promoter Of The Year for his support, including the Premier Insulation Pole Award at each round.
Two new Life Memberships were awarded – the first to Phil Blythe who has had a long association with the series and was the North Island Pro 7 Champion in 2007/2008 and runner-up in 2008/2009 while he was third in the National Championship in 2008/2009. The other went to outgoing Chairman, Leo Bult. Bult had been Chairman of the series for six years and drove in the series the last few years. He was responsible for finance and numbers in the series and built seventeen RX8’s for competition in the series.
With Bult stepping down from the Chairman position, Steven Spear of Auckland has stepped up into the role and has moved into Spear’s former role as Secretary and Deputy Chairman for the series.
The series will announce their calendar for the 2023/2024 season in the near future.
Words & Images: Supplied
