New South Wales and the ACT are the latest states to celebrate their champions of 2023, with their virtual awards ceremony now complete.
 
Hosted by Cameron van den Dungen, the presentation saw more than 50 drivers and co-drivers receive recognition for winning their respective championships, as well as giving them a chance to speak about their title-winning years.
 
All disciplines were celebrated during the presentation, including NSW Rally Champions Richie Dalton and Andrew Crowley, NSW Formula Ford Champion Jason Liddell, NSW Motorkhana Champion Corinne East-Johnston, and the multiple class winners within the NSW/ACT Supersprint Championship and NSW Off Road Championship.
 
In addition to the many state champions, there was also a collection of individuals to receive special awards and a handful of car clubs acknowledged for reaching major milestones.
 
Taking out the NSW/ACT Official of the Year was Scott Sims. A devoted contributor, enthusiastic ambassador and life member of the Bathurst Light Car Club, Sims has been involved with the sport for more than two decades – his noteworthy knowledge of the Motorsport Australia Rules and Regulations making him a highly respectable official.  
 
Sims wasn’t the only one to be recognised for significant contributions to the sport during the presentation, with eight individuals receiving Service Awards and Service Stars.
 
Named as the 2023 Service Award Winners were Kathy Cassidy, Ian Irons, William (Bill) Airs, Joanne Hodge, Phillip Wilkinson and Philip Robert Wootton, while David Healy and Glenn Pincott received Service Stars.
 
The two remaining special awards announced were the NSW/ACT Future Star Award and the prestigious Coral Taylor Award, which is awarded to a New South Wales-based woman for her outstanding achievement in motorsport.
 
Picking up the Coral Taylor Award for her unwavering dedication to the Thornleigh Car Club and the running of the Australian Motorkhana Championships was Nicole Crowley, while young rally rising star Riley Waters was named as the Future Star recipient. 
 
From the Westlakes Automotive Club, Waters produced an impressive second season in the NSW Rally Championship, falling just short of eventual champion in Dalton to finish as a valiant runner-up.
 
Outside of the many individuals to take out awards, there were nine clubs celebrated for hitting milestones in 2023, with the most notable being the Bathurst Light Car Club’s 70th anniversary, while the Morris Register Of New South Wales and Club Lotus Australia hit 50 years.
 
The awards presentation also featured an emotional In Memoriam section, paying tribute to valued Club Lotus Australia member, Mike Basquile and highly respected NSW Scrutineer, Keith Neville.
 
Watch the awards below.