HAVING wrapped up their racing action for another season, Swan Hill Motor Racing Club have rewarded some of their top-performing drivers over the past 12 months.
Swan Hill Speedway hosted the club’s annual presentation day earlier this month, with club members coming together for an afternoon of celebrating each other’s achievements.
SHMRC president Hayden Glare said the latest season of racing had been an exciting one, and rewarding the drivers was a highlight.
“We held a couple of really great race meetings and were really pleased with how our season turned out,” he said.
“This year’s presentation was held over lunch, which is always a great chance to get everyone together.
“To decide our award-winners, we have a point-score system, where we award points for podium finishes across the different classes.
“The award that everyone is competing for is the overall winner across the club, but we also have things like best presented car and the Hard Luck award.”
Paul Salau was inducted as a life member at the club, an achievement that Glare said was a rare honour at SHMRC.
“Paul has been involved with the club for 40-odd years now, so he’s put in a wealth of effort around here,” he said.
“He does a fair bit for us here at the club, he took over the responsibility of taking care of the grassed areas we have here.
“It’s a great feeling to be able to recognise people like Paul and reward the tireless effort he’s put in.
“He used to race out here a few years ago, he was pretty into the street stocks which is a national class and now his daughter Zoey races in sport and modified sedans.
“It’s a really cool thing to see families involved in the sport together.”
Scott Bull took out the overall points win for the club, as well as claiming first in his class of Sport Sedans ahead of Zoey Salau and Josh Beattie.
Glare said the man his clubmates called “Big Bully”, who is consistently a strong supporter of the club, was a deserving winner of the award.
“Scott raced away from home a few times throughout the year and had some real success throughout the twelve months,” he said.
“He’s always been a local here at Swan Hill and has raced with us for many years.
“This year his son wasn’t far behind him, he finished fifth overall in points so he will be one to beat in the coming years.
“It’s a really cool thing to see families involved in the sport together.”
Andrew Edwards was the winner of Rookie of the Year, Jackson Davis was awarded the June Domaille award, and Kiel Tripcony won the prize for best presented car.
Josh Campbell was rewarded for a strong year in the standard saloons class, claiming the win over Andrew Marshall and Troy Higgins in third.
Youngsters Emily Hooton and Blake Adam were the recipients of this year’s junior encouragement awards.
Glare said speedway was a sport that all could get involved, whether out on the track or supporting from the other side of the fence.
“There’s so much to love about the club here, but one of my favourites is how family orientated we are here,” he said.
“We see young kids to older people come and take part in the sport or sit on the sidelines and cheer on their family.
“It’s a really community-focused sport here at Swan Hill Speedway, it’s not just the club that benefits from the meets.
“Local hotels, restaurants and businesses all get a lot out of the travelling drives who come to town.”
