The final event for the 2023 State Awards season has officially been completed with Western Australia celebrating its champions from last year.
 
Like all of this year’s State Awards, Cameron van den Dungen hosted the virtual presentation, where more than 70 outright and class champions across a range of disciplines were celebrated.
 
Some of the champion drivers featured in the presentation were WA Rally Champion Driver Daniel Gonzalez, WA Motorkhana Champion Scott Bennett and 10-time WA Speed Series Winner, Peter Morley, who also took the opportunity to announce his retirement.
 
More than 20 drivers received recognition for their title-winning campaigns in the WA Motor Race Championship, including Saloon Cars AU/VT winner Mason Harvey.
 
For his remarkable efforts in winning the competitive category, Harvey was also named the 2023 Future Star Award winner. Not only did the youngster take out a state title, but he also had a strong season in the Toyota Gazoo Racing Scholarship Series and finished runner-up in the Saloon Car Nationals.
 
In addition to Harvey and many other drivers being acknowledged for their championships, there were a further two individuals honoured with special awards as a result of their exceptional contributions to the sport.
 

The first to be celebrated was Graeme Miles, who was the sole recipient of a Service Award, while Sheryl Swarbrick was named as the 2023 WA State Official of the Year.
 
Miles had been a dedicated Motorsport Australia official for more than two decades, having served as the President of the South West Touring Car Club, while also being heavily involved in the state’s tarmac and Gravel rallies.
 
Swarbrick’s efforts in recent years saw her rewarded with the State Official of the Year Award, demonstrating her strong ability to organise events for the Vintage Sports Car Club of West Australia throughout West Australia, while also juggling a busy professional career.
 
A quiet achiever, Swarbrick is a dedicated individual who is well respected by both local and state government.
 
The final special accolade to be awarded was the State Motorsport Event of the Year, which was won by the WA Sporting Car Club for its Festival of Speed in September. Showcasing motorsport in the spirit of Goodwood Festival of Speed, the annual event featured a number of exotic and classical features including 1910 vintage cars, the McLaren Senna GTR and Daniel Ricciardo’s RB 14 Red Bull F1 car.
 
Other clubs to be recognised in the presentation were the Yilgarn Motoring Enthusiasts, South West Motorsports Group, WRX Club Of WA and South West Touring Car Club – all of which celebrated milestones in 2023.