2008 Australian Motorsport Awards notes

WHINCUP CAPS STELLAR SEASON AT AUSTRALIAN MOTOR SPORT AWARDS

Team Vodafone driver Jamie Whincup has capped one of the biggest weeks of his life by accepting the Australian Touring Car Championship trophy in his home city at the Australian Motorsport Awards held at the Sofitel in Melbourne on Friday night.

Whincup, who grew up in the suburb of Greensborough in Melbourne's northern suburbs, was accompanied by his parents David and Sandra to the evening, where he was celebrated as the winner of the 49th Australian Touring Car Championship crown.

The 25-year-old was humbled to join the likes of Ian Geoghegan, Dick Johnson, Mark Skaife, Allan Moffat, Peter Brock, Jim Richards and his Team Vodafone team-mate Craig Lowndes on the Australian Touring Car Championship trophy by claiming his first V8 Supercar Championship this year.

"I am absolutely honoured to be awarded the 2008 Australian Touring Car Championship title," said Whincup.

"To have my name on the trophy alongside such greats as Ian Geoghegan, Peter Brock and Dick Johnson is normally something you only dream about.

"The past seven days have been a blur for me, we had a massive workload leading into the final round at Oran Park and whilst many people were telling me I had the title in the bag, to me it was still unfinished business.

"Saturday was surreal and was the greatest day of my life, it was the culmination of many years of hard work not just by myself, but also my Mum, Dad and Uncle Graham."

Outgoing Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) President Colin Osborne was recognised for his service with a Recognition Award, as well as receiving his 2008 Australian Production Car Championship trophy.

Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chairman Ron Walker and former Australian Formula 1 driver turned distinguished motorsport official Tim Schenken were both presented with CAMS Membership of Honour.

Retired CEO of V8 Supercars Australia Wayne Cattach, owner of Oran Park Raceway Tony Perich and long-time competitor and official Ann Thomson from Queensland were each made Life Members of CAMS.

James Winslow was honoured as the second British driver in three years to win the CAMS Gold Star for the Australian Driver's Championship, winning this year's Australian Formula 3 Championship.

A competitor from the Australian Rally Championship won the CAMS Personality of the Year Award for the third time, with Victorian Glen Raymond announced as the recipient of this year's award at the awards night. Raymond's win follows victory for Simon Evans in 2003 and his wife Sue in 2007.

Melbourne driver Darren Hossack took out two awards on the night, winning both the Australian Sports Sedan Series and the Australian Superkart Championship (250cc International). He joins Mark Skaife and Marcus Zukanovic as drivers to win two national series in one season.

-credit: cams.com.au