The SMCA hosted their 22nd annual Dinner Dance and Awards Night at the Holiday Inn Maidenhead. The event was great success due mainly to the organisation skills by the sister team Jen Mitchell and Mickey Bishop who put on a great evening and by everyone who attended
With everyone ‘suited and booted’ the evening started with pre-dinner drinks followed by a three course meal. Once coffee was over the presentation of the various awards and trophies got under way. The SMCA Chairman, Ian Cooper, started off asking for everyone to remember those who couldn’t be with us this year due to injuries. A round of applause then went to the Sidecar des Nations Team who did us all proud by getting third at the event back in September.
There were a few more awards than usual this year as no trophies were presented during this season’s Clubman Championship rounds. It was decided that this year that trophies would be awarded down to tenth place in the championship overall at this the end of year ‘do’.
This Year’s Driver of the Year deservedly went to Daniel Millard who had certainly upped his game in 2011. The Under 21 Driver was awarded to Jack Etheridge who was part of that successful Des Nations team in this only his second season. A surprise package this season was Jon Pannell who had a brilliant first year and became the Best Newcomer Driver. Passenger of the year was Josh Chamberlain who had stepped up from driving with his brother in 2010 to passengering at GP level, being part of the des Nations team and helping Stuart Brown to his ninth British Championship plus racing and winning with a major injury. Under 21 Passenger went to Ryan Humphrey who had formed an excellent partnership with Jack Etheridge. Best Newcomer Passenger was a first for the SMCA as it was awarded to Jo Reynolds, the first ever female to receive the trophy!
Most Improved, a trophy awarded for the first time last year, went to Dave Goddard. The SMCA Driver and Passenger of the Year were the final awards of the night, these were new trophies introduced this year. All points accrued over the season from any championship or event raced in were combined but to be in with a chance of winning the trophy the competitor had to be a member of the SMCA. The 2011 Driver Trophy was awarded to Rob Oldfield and the Passenger Trophy to Gary Kinge. The evening then carried on with trips to the bar, dancing and more trips to the bar. The results of which meant several people missing their breakfast!
This years raffle made £500 for the Air Ambulance, so a big thank you to everyone who donated prizes and bought tickets.
Awards
Driver of the Year – Daniel Millard
Under 21 Driver – Jack Etheridge
Newcomer Driver – Jon Pannell
Passenger of the Year – Josh Chamberlain
Under 21 Passenger – Ryan Humphrey
Newcomer Passenger – Jo Reynolds
Most Improved – Dave Goddard
Services to Sidecarcross – Chris Reilly
Alan Tricker Best British International Team – Daniel & Joe Millard
SMCA British Clubman Champions – Neil & Michael Franks
2nd Dave Goddard/Scott Cooper/Ian Sheppard 3rd Martin Guilford/Rob Batten
Maxxis British Sidecar Champions – Stuart Brown & Josh Chamberlain
2nd Daniel/Joe Millard 3rd Scott Wilkinson/Craig Parmenter/Dan Chamberlain
SMCA Champion Driver – Rob Oldfield
SMCA Champion Passenger – Gary Kinge
Report and photos
Ann Reynolds