Britain's new Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton was honoured at motorsport’s most prestigious end-of-season gala event, the 2008 Autosport Awards, which were held at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on Sunday night.
Autosport readers voted the 23-year-old as International Racing Driver of the Year, after a dramatic season that saw him become F1’s youngest ever world champion. He was presented with the accolade by another driver who has won the world championship for McLaren, Mika Hakkinen, in front of a packed audience, filled with the most important and influential figures from around the world of motorsport.
“It’s very overwhelming to receive this award,” he said. “It’s always a privilege just being here and thinking about all the other times I’ve been here. Just to see the whole journey from the beginning and see the number of people that have made it possible, is very emotional for me. It makes me very proud.”
Alexander Sims became the 20th winner of the coveted McLaren Autosport BRDC Award, earning the accolade after finishing runner-up in the Formula Renault UK Championship and impressing the award’s judging panel in the F3, DTM and Aston Martin cars used for the evaluation at Snetterton.
"I knew I’d done pretty good job on the track, I just didn't know what to expect on the night,” he said. “It's a fantastic achievement and I've got to say a massive thank you to my father first and foremost, because he's been there pushing me throughout my entire career."
Hamilton was not the only British racing legend to be recognised by Autosport. Sir Stirling Moss, who won 16 Formula One grands prix between 1951 and 1961 - 24 years before Hamilton was even born, was given an Autosport Gregor Grant Award for a lifetime of achievements in the sport.
Moss, or Mr Motorsport as he is often referred to, is considered the greatest driver never to win the F1 World Championship, was presented with the award by the BBC’s new commentator Martin Brundle.
Among the other legends of motorsport to be saluted during the illustrious evening were 1981 World Rally Champion Ari Vatanen - who also received a Autosport Gregor Grant Award – and Sebastien Loeb, who won the International Rally Driver of the Year Award for the fourth time.
Legendary American team boss Carl Haas received the Autosport John Bolster Award on behalf of his partnership with the late Paul Newman for their services to motorsport, while Le Mans 24 Hours winner Allan McNish was presented with the British Competition Driver of the Year Award and Formula One's youngest ever winner Sebastian Vettel was voted the autosport.com Rookie of the Year.
Finally, following his retirement from Formula One after a 15-year career, the first ever McLaren Autosport BRDC Award winner, David Coulthard, was lauded with a special presentation in recognition of his achievements.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Motoring : Alexander Sims Becomes The 20th Winner Of The McLaren Autosport BRDC Award
Alexander Sims’ officially became one to look out for after he joined junior most prestigious roll of honour by winning this year’s coveted McLaren Autosport BRDC Award.
Not only will the 19-year-old live every aspiring racing driver’s dream and get to sample a McLaren-Mercedes F1 car, but his prize also includes a cheque for £50,000, a test of an Aston Martin GT1 car, membership of the British Racing Drivers’ Club and a TW Steel watch.
"To be honest, coming into this night I didn't know what to expect," he said after being presented with the award by 1996 Formula One world champion Damon Hill.
"I knew I’d done a pretty good job on the track (in the evaluation test), I just didn't know what to expect, though. It's a fantastic achievement and I've got to say a massive thank you to my father first and foremost, because he's been there pushing me throughout my entire career."
Sims earned his place as a finalist in the award by finishing runner-up in this season’s Formula Renault UK Championship – one of the most hotly contested junior single-seater series in the world.
He beat his rival candidates – Adam Christodoulou, Wayne Boyd, Jason Moore, Dean Stoneman and Aaron Steele – after two grueling days of evaluation at Snetterton in Formula 3, Mercedes DTM and Aston Martin GT4 cars and was chosen as the 20th recipient of the prize by the expert judging panel.
Sims joins F1 winners David Coulthard and Jenson Button, Indy 500 winner and IRL champion Dario Franchitti, F1 racer Anthony Davidson and DTM runner-up and aspiring F1 driver Paul di Resta, among others, on the list of winners of the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award.
Not only will the 19-year-old live every aspiring racing driver’s dream and get to sample a McLaren-Mercedes F1 car, but his prize also includes a cheque for £50,000, a test of an Aston Martin GT1 car, membership of the British Racing Drivers’ Club and a TW Steel watch.
"To be honest, coming into this night I didn't know what to expect," he said after being presented with the award by 1996 Formula One world champion Damon Hill.
"I knew I’d done a pretty good job on the track (in the evaluation test), I just didn't know what to expect, though. It's a fantastic achievement and I've got to say a massive thank you to my father first and foremost, because he's been there pushing me throughout my entire career."
Sims earned his place as a finalist in the award by finishing runner-up in this season’s Formula Renault UK Championship – one of the most hotly contested junior single-seater series in the world.
He beat his rival candidates – Adam Christodoulou, Wayne Boyd, Jason Moore, Dean Stoneman and Aaron Steele – after two grueling days of evaluation at Snetterton in Formula 3, Mercedes DTM and Aston Martin GT4 cars and was chosen as the 20th recipient of the prize by the expert judging panel.
Sims joins F1 winners David Coulthard and Jenson Button, Indy 500 winner and IRL champion Dario Franchitti, F1 racer Anthony Davidson and DTM runner-up and aspiring F1 driver Paul di Resta, among others, on the list of winners of the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award.
Motoring : Wayne Boyd Celebrates Milestone Year At Prestigious Autosport Awards
London, 07 December 2008: This year’s British Formula Ford Champion and BRDC Superstar Wayne Boyd celebrated a milestone year in his racing career with a night amongst the stars of motor sport at the prestigious Autosport Awards ceremony in London on Sunday night (7 December).
Boyd, who is only 18 years old, was one of six finalists for the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year award, which was set up in 1989 to recognise and reward the talents of up-andcoming racing drivers.
Boyd is now working with his management team on finding a competitive seat in next year’s British Formula 3 Championship.
"I have really enjoyed testing with all the leading Formula 3 teams, but it is now crunch time. We need to decide what will be the best move, as we want to be fully prepared for the season ahead. Next year will be a high profile year in the British F3 Championship, so we need to secure the most competitive drive possible. I’ll be aiming to take the fight to the field from the start of the season."
Ulsterman Boyd, from Templepatrick, won this year's British Formula Ford Championship and the annual Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch in October, just days before his 18th birthday. Full details of the entire Awards Ceremony and winners are contained in this week's Autosport magazine and preliminary details can also be found at www.autosport.com
Boyd, who is only 18 years old, was one of six finalists for the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year award, which was set up in 1989 to recognise and reward the talents of up-andcoming racing drivers.
Boyd is now working with his management team on finding a competitive seat in next year’s British Formula 3 Championship.
"I have really enjoyed testing with all the leading Formula 3 teams, but it is now crunch time. We need to decide what will be the best move, as we want to be fully prepared for the season ahead. Next year will be a high profile year in the British F3 Championship, so we need to secure the most competitive drive possible. I’ll be aiming to take the fight to the field from the start of the season."
Ulsterman Boyd, from Templepatrick, won this year's British Formula Ford Championship and the annual Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch in October, just days before his 18th birthday. Full details of the entire Awards Ceremony and winners are contained in this week's Autosport magazine and preliminary details can also be found at www.autosport.com
Tennis : SEEDS SUPREME IN QUARTERS OF AUCKLAND CHAMPS NZMT 3
The top four seeds in the men's and women's singles reached the semi-finals of the Fuji Xerox Auckland Championships NZMT 3 today, although not without some very hard fought matches.
Men's third seed Adam Thompson started slowly against leading Canterbury junior James Meredith losing the first set 6-2 before getting into stride to reverse the score in the second. In the deciding set Thompson got an early break and then held his own serve throughout the set to win 6-4 and take the match. Fourth seed Finn Tearney struggled early with the variety of very experienced Wesley Whitehouse's game. He recovered to level at two sets all and then secured an excellent win as Whitehouse faded in the third set. The top two men's seeds Dan King-Turner and Marcus Daniell had comfortable straight set victories.
In the semi-finals at 12.30pm on Wednesday King-Turner takes on Thompson and Daniell plays Tearney.
Women's top seed Kairangi Vano, fresh from playing on the ITF women's circuit in Australia, started well against talented youngster Tanya Samodelok taking the first set 6-2. In the second Samodelok began to strike some excellent winners while Vano became wayward and erratic losing the set 6-3. In the third Vano regained her composure and powered through to take the match. Third seed Shona Lee and fourth seed Dianne Hollands won their matches comfortably and second seed Julia Moriarty did not need to take the court after her opponent Briar Preston was unable to play after injuring her calf muscle in winning her earlier match. Vano will play Lee and Hollands faces Moriarty in the women's semi-finals at 10.30am.
The finals of the singles will be held at Scarbro Tennis Centre in Glen Innes at 5pm Wednesday.
Schedule for Wednesday 10th December
12.30pm - Women's & Men's Semi-finals
5pm - Singles Final's
Quarterfinals Results
(1) Daniel King-Turner d. (8) Remi Feneon 6-3;6-3
(2) Marcus Daniell d. Barrett Franks 6-2;6-3
(3) Adam Thompson d. James Meredith 2-6;6-2;6-4
(4) Finn Tearney d. (5) Wesley Whitehouse 3-6;6-4;6-3
(1) Kairangi Vano d. (7) Tanya Samodelok 6-2;3-6;6-2
(2) Julia Moriarty d. (8) Briar Preston Wo (inj)
(3) Shona Lee d. (6) Abbey Guthrie 6-2;6-3
(4) Dianne Hollands d. Imogen Golder 6-1;6-0
Men's third seed Adam Thompson started slowly against leading Canterbury junior James Meredith losing the first set 6-2 before getting into stride to reverse the score in the second. In the deciding set Thompson got an early break and then held his own serve throughout the set to win 6-4 and take the match. Fourth seed Finn Tearney struggled early with the variety of very experienced Wesley Whitehouse's game. He recovered to level at two sets all and then secured an excellent win as Whitehouse faded in the third set. The top two men's seeds Dan King-Turner and Marcus Daniell had comfortable straight set victories.
In the semi-finals at 12.30pm on Wednesday King-Turner takes on Thompson and Daniell plays Tearney.
Women's top seed Kairangi Vano, fresh from playing on the ITF women's circuit in Australia, started well against talented youngster Tanya Samodelok taking the first set 6-2. In the second Samodelok began to strike some excellent winners while Vano became wayward and erratic losing the set 6-3. In the third Vano regained her composure and powered through to take the match. Third seed Shona Lee and fourth seed Dianne Hollands won their matches comfortably and second seed Julia Moriarty did not need to take the court after her opponent Briar Preston was unable to play after injuring her calf muscle in winning her earlier match. Vano will play Lee and Hollands faces Moriarty in the women's semi-finals at 10.30am.
The finals of the singles will be held at Scarbro Tennis Centre in Glen Innes at 5pm Wednesday.
Schedule for Wednesday 10th December
12.30pm - Women's & Men's Semi-finals
5pm - Singles Final's
Quarterfinals Results
(1) Daniel King-Turner d. (8) Remi Feneon 6-3;6-3
(2) Marcus Daniell d. Barrett Franks 6-2;6-3
(3) Adam Thompson d. James Meredith 2-6;6-2;6-4
(4) Finn Tearney d. (5) Wesley Whitehouse 3-6;6-4;6-3
(1) Kairangi Vano d. (7) Tanya Samodelok 6-2;3-6;6-2
(2) Julia Moriarty d. (8) Briar Preston Wo (inj)
(3) Shona Lee d. (6) Abbey Guthrie 6-2;6-3
(4) Dianne Hollands d. Imogen Golder 6-1;6-0
Motorsport : Greg Murphy Ready to Joust with Clarkson and Hammond at Top Gear Live
New Zealand motor racing legend Greg Murphy admits to being a little intimidated at the thought of being onstage with Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond in the world’s biggest motoring stage show, but after seeing the show in Dublin and meeting the two presenters, he says he is excited and in awe of the spectacular event.
“The show is absolutely fantastic,” says Murphy. “Audience participation is huge with continuous cheers and jeers - they absolutely loved it.... they go mad! I’m still quite blown away,” he said.
Top Gear Live is ready to become a worldwide phenomenon, with Dublin being the third stop on a world tour of sell-out shows that see the show arrive here in February. Fuelled by the success of the television series Top Gear, the live stage moves up a gear in scale and theatricality, with precision driving, stunts, comedy and pyrotechnics. “Like Top Gear on steroids,” said one review.
“There is unbelievable driving,” says Murphy, “but the crowd also loves the interaction with Clarkson and Hammond in items such as the ‘Cool Wall’ where they get to argue their car preferences with the stars. Murphy’s role as the third presenter is pivotal to bring a local flavour to the show, and someone has to put up with the inevitable sheep jokes that he expects Clarkson to throw at him. “I’ll be the Kiwi there to be the butt of their humour,” he said, “but I’ll also certainly be able to throw a bit back at them as well.”
Murphy spent some time with Clarkson and Hammond while in Dublin and was astonished at their cult-like status over in the UK. “The reaction from the public is amazing,” says Murphy, “Clarkson and Hammond need constant security when you go out. These guys are rock stars in that part of the word.”
He also got to meet the infamous ‘Stig’ while he was over in Dublin – a high performance driver that is a feature of the Top Gear Live finale. The Stig never took his helmet off during the entire event as his identity is a strictly protected secret. “He has his little cage in the corner he sits in by himself when not on stage,” says Murphy. “He has a bit of a reputation for being temperamental, but we got on well.”
Murphy won’t be driving any race cars on stage but will take to the wheel in the ever-popular ‘Car Soccer’ which he expects will probably become an England vs New Zealand test match. When asked what state the cars end up at the end, he said, “there’s a bit of bump‘n‘grind but there is certainly some contact and really, anything can happen.”
Greg’s excitement about the show is obvious: “For someone who enjoys cars, to be working with people who’ve made a massive career out of being involved with cars is just great. They’re doing what every Kiwi man would love to do – spending their days being lunatics in cars, coming up with ludicrous stunts - how blokey is that? And they’re getting paid to do it!
“To be a part of that is very special – and something great to have on the CV.”
Tickets are on sale from www.ticketek.co.nz
For more information please visit www.topgearnz.co.nz
Show Dates:
Thurs 12th - 6.30pm
Friday 13th - 5pm & 8pm
Saturday 14th - 11am, 2pm, 5pm & 8pm
Sunday 15th - 11am, 2pm & 5pm
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