The Motorsport Australia State Awards, presented by Shannons Insurance, have continued with Western Australia completing its virtual presentation.
 
Like previous states, the presentation was hosted by Cameron van den Dungen and was broadcast via Motorsport Australia’s social media channels, as selected individuals from the west were awarded for their efforts after what was a busy year for the state.
 
Watch a replay of the WA State Awards, presented by Shannons Insurance here.
  
As one of the only states in the country largely unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic, plenty of the state championships throughout 2021 took place with their champions acknowledged throughout the presentation.
 
This included joint WA Motorkhana champions, William Bennett and Jim Newell, WA Rally champions John O’Dowd and Toni Feaver, WA Off Road champions Jayden and Justyn Frewar and WA Speed Series Winner, John Webb.
 
The winners of the 23 different WA Motor Race Championship categories were also celebrated during the evening, with many submitting speeches to feature in the presentation.
 
A number of individual awards were also announced throughout the presentation, in honour of those who have gone above and beyond not just in 2021, but for many years prior.
 
The first to be acknowledged was the recipient of a Motorsport Australia Service Award, Daniel Rogers.
 
A deserving recipient of the award, Rogers for many years has been a member of the WA Off Road Association, as well as holding the ever important Clerk of Course role for the hugely popular Black Diamond Drilling Kalgoorlie Desert Race.
 
Taking out the state’s only Service Star award was Colin Arkell, who has been heavily involved in motorsport since 1986.
 
Part of his contributions to the sport include holding Stewarding and Stage Commander positions at domestic rally events, as well as performing mentor and support roles internationally, most notably in China and Japan.


The final individual to be honoured for their involvement with motorsport was David McDonald, who was named as the 2021 WA State Official of the Year.
 
A highly respected contributor to the sport, McDonald has shown outstanding dedication to motorsport events for many years.
 
From volunteering as a road closure or control official at all state championship rallies and the Targa West Rally, to being a highly regarded timing official state motorkhana, autocross and khanacross championship events, McDonald often attends these event travelling back and forwards from a remote area – further illustrating his dedication to the sport.
 
Submitting his acceptance speech via letter, McDonald believed it was about giving back to the sport that had given so much to him.
 
“I’m a bit embarrassed to be receiving this award as I am sure there are many officials worthy of its presentation,” McDonald wrote.
 
“I’d like to acknowledge a number of people who have been instrumental in my journey in motorsport and my wife Rosalind who has been my chief supporter throughout the years.
 
“Having had so much enjoyment in motorsport, I like to feel I can put something back and I’ve tried to do this by helping in various events for a number of clubs, especially the wonderful people in the Mini Club, South West Touring Car Club, BORMSA and on occasion, the Light Car Club.”
 
In addition to the heralded individuals, clubs were also recognised throughout the presentation, including the celebration of new clubs, MX5 Racing WA and the West Coast Car Club, and the major milestones of Ashendon First Intervention (10 years) and the Competition Drivers Club Of WA (50 years).
 
The Albany Classic Motorsport Club & Vintage Sports Car Club of WA also got enjoy time in the spotlight after their combined event, the Burson Auto Parts Albany Classic ‘Around the Houses’, won the 2021 State Event of the Year.
 
Watch a replay of the WA State Awards, presented by Shannons Insurance here.
  
The next Motorsport Australia State Awards virtual presentation, presented by Shannons Insurance, will be in Queensland on Thursday, 17 February.