EMOTIONS FLOW AT SPEEDWAY’S NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS
Guests at the annual Australian Speedway Awards were taken through an emotional journey from tears to elation as five new inductees joined the star-studded Hall of Fame and a further twelve honours were awarded across the sport.
Hosted by Speedway Australia in the Melbourne Showgrounds Victoria Pavilion on Saturday night, the awards travelled down memory lane, while also projecting a bright future with young champions and stirring innovations.
Former Australian Test Captain John Titman, five-time Australian V8 Dirt Modified Champion Tim Morse, and Speedcar stalwarts Graham Jones and Ron Mackay all received a resounding welcome to the Hall of Fame while the family of Super Sedan legend Peter Aylett fought back tears accepting the award on behalf of their late father.
“I’ve never seen dad show that much emotion,” said Kevin Titman, son of John who’s national and international solo speedway motorcycle exploits made him a household name in the late 1970’s.
Jones and Mackay both had the crowd in stitches, regaling stories of the golden era when Australian Speedway was the number one show in town, while Morse detailed his inspirational journey of a kid racer who just wanted to make his family and mentor proud.
Similar emotions were displayed as Todd Hobson’s mother and sister received both the “Modified Competitor” and “Sportsperson of the Year” honours on Todd’s behalf while he is racing in Indiana, with Sharon McHugh also on hand to accept her son Locky’s “Open Wheel Competitor of the Year” silver plate as he was also campaigning in the USA.
Mat Pascoe secured a record setting third “Sedan Competitor of the Year” prize after claiming his fourth National Super Sedan Title and two state titles in the 2021-22 season, while West Australian Kayne Dellar received “Junior Competitor of the Year” and Tasmanian hotshoe Kaleb Sims secured “Karting Competitor of the Year.”
The date and venue of the 2023 Australian Speedway Awards and Hall of Fame will be released as soon as possible.
2022 Australian Speedway Awards
Karting Competitor of the Year Kaleb Sims (TAS)
Modified Competitor of the Year Todd Hobson (VIC) - V8 Dirt Modifieds
Open Wheel Competitor of the Year Lachlan McHugh (QLD) - Sprintcars
Junior Competitor of the Year Kayne Dellar (WA) - SSA Junior Sedans
Sedan Competitor of the Year Mathew Pascoe (QLD) - SSA Super Sedans
Sportsperson of the Year Todd Hobson (VIC)
Most Improved Track of the Year Bunbury Speedway (WA)
Track of the Year Northline Speedway, Darwin (NT)
Innovation of the Year Infield Camera pole line review system - Perth Motorplex
Official/Volunteer of the Year Tanya Barron – South Burnett Speedway Club (QLD)
Promotional Item of the Year Aligning with Variety WA Children’s Charity - Late Model Racing WA
Photographer of the Year Louise Norman – Napier Photography
Hall of Fame inductee Tim Morse
Hall of Fame inductee Peter Aylett
Hall of Fame inductee John Titman
Hall of Fame inductee Ronald Mackay
Hall of Fame inductee Graham Jones