The great night kicked off at about 7.30pm on Saturday the 27th of June when Club President Barry Mason welcomed everyone and gave an introductory speech;
"First of all I would like to thank everyone who has helped out throughout the year. We had a very successful season for the club, a very busy couple of months towards the end with 3 big race meetings in a row, the Super Sedan State Title, the Sprintcar Spectacular and the Northwest Championships all of which ran smoothly with top quality racing.
Listening to the talk around town after the meetings proves that we are putting on a good show for the spectators and comments from visiting drivers about the quality and drive they get from our track, the facilities, the meals and after racing entertainment makes me proud to be part of this club.
We have also purchased and set up the new transponder system to be eligible for future state titles with funding from the Gascoyne Development Commission and the help from Jason Masirowski of No Bull Computers in setting the system up.
Sadly we lost one of our Life Members this season, Laurie Ladhams passed away in December 2008. All the committee and members have felt his absence, missed his smile and jovial personality. But we appreciate Lorraine & Lisa's continued involvement in the club.
There were many highlights throughout the year, but I guess the 2 that really stood out for me was the Kangaroo hopping onto the track during the Junior race on the Family Fun Night and the way we handled it and the other was the sound of 16 Supers hitting the throttle at the start of the State Title.
Then since last weekend, the surge of power in Burky's Sprinter when the engine fired up was somewhat exhilarating.
A BIG thank you to all of our sponsors, we greatly appreciate your contribution this year once again and your support has helped the club complete a very successful season."
Then Lisa Ladhams went on to list & thank all of our sponsors individually for the support over the past season.
This was followed by a delicious dinner and some drinks before the Volunteer Appreciation awards were read out.
Trophy presentations followed;
Rookie of the Year: Robert "Hoover" Lathwell
Hardest Trier: Wade Mason
Most Improved Driver: Trent Lyall
Driver with most Potential: Travis Jackson
Best Presented Car: Lance Root (Street Stock #23)
Best & Fairest: Trent Lyall
Club Person Award: Barry Mason - again!
Lorraine & Lisa presented the Laurie Ladhams Lemans Memorial inaugural trophies to;
3rd....Kyne Hill
2nd...Wade Mason
1st....Lance Root
JUNIOR DIVISION:
3rd:... Alan Harper 708 points
2nd:.. Trent Lyall 885 points
1st:... Damon Lyall 910 points (on his16th birthday)
STREET STOCK:
3rd.... Leo Brooks 724 points
2nd... Daniel Pidala 852 points
1st.... Wade Mason 878 points
MODIFIEDS:
3rd... Zane Mogg 526 points
2nd.. Dylan Mogg 585 points
1st... Kim Jolly 838 points
SUPER SEDANS:
3rd...Peter Lyall 246 points
2nd..Travis Jackson 612 points
1st...Blake Jackson 696 points
SPRINTCARS:
3rd...Jim Andreoli 56 points
2nd...Burke Holla 524 points
1st...Stephen Lyall 798 points
Appreciation & Comedy Awards followed here.
Driver Achievement Special Mention:
Burke Holla raced for the majority of Geraldton's race season as well as Carnarvon's and the track time paid off when Burke took out the 3rd place in the Limited Sprintcar State Title held in Geraldton earlier this year.
He has also encouraged visiting sprinters to Carnarvon for 2 big meetings.
I would also like to mention other travelling drivers over the previous off season..... the Lyall's, Jackson's, Harper's, Mason's, Kane, Daniel & Kim.
For those who are planning on racing around the state in this off season, I hope all goes well and Im sure you will do Carnarvon Speedway proud.
Some challenges for the off season are raising the track wall, improving track lighting, replacing steps to the tower and to look for a new water truck.
Again, I thank everyone for their dedication throughout the year and please attend our AGM on Wednesday 22nd July at the Club House starting at 7pm and I urge everyone to attend.
Thank you and enjoy the evening.....................
Barry Mason
Club President.
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