    |
 |
|
|
|
FEBRUARY 4, 2007: The stars came out at the fourth annual Motorcycling New Zealand Awards Night in Manukau, south Auckland, on Saturday night.
Motorcycling New Zealand chief executive Paul Pavletich said motorcycling is on a huge high nationwide and the awards night was to salute those who made this possible and to recognise excellence in the motorcycling community.
The black-tie affair at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre boasted a guest list that read like a Who’s Who of officials, volunteers, industry representatives and past and present New Zealand motorcycling stars, including former world champions Shayne King, Graham Crosby and Ivan Mauger.
But it was the events of the past 12 months that stole the show and the individuals who perhaps shone brightest on the night were Tokoroa’s Sean Clarke, Pukekohe’s Sam Smith and Bombay’s Katherine Prumm.
Women’s world motocross champion Prumm was twice called to the stage by compere Clint Brown as she collected the award for Off-Road Rider of the Year and then the premier award, The MNZ Special Achievement Award.
Clarke received the 2006 Services to Motorcycling Award for his work as instigator and leader of the team to plan and manage the International Six Days Enduro, staged near Taupo last November. The prestigious event, considered the Olympic Games of Motorcycling, attracted more than 600 riders from 31 nations.
It was a modest Clarke who took the stage.
“It was a huge undertaking but there are so many people who share this award with me. I conned so many people into helping with this event,” he smiled.
“Most of all I want to thank my wife, Adele. She took on a huge amount of work on my behalf.”
Road-racer Smith was also summoned to the stage twice during the evening, the first occasion to receive the award for road-racing’s Most Promising Newcomer and the Yamaha racer was then called back to collect the Classic Motorcycling Award.
MOTORCYCLING NEW ZEALAND AWARDS:
The 2007 Classic Motorcycling Award: Sam Smith (Pukekohe).
Club of the Year: Waitemata Motorcycle Club (International Six Days Enduro).
The 2006 Services to Motorcycling Award: Sean Clarke (Tokoroa).
The Ivan Mauger Speedway Award: Andrew Bargh (Hastings).
Promising Newcomer (road): Sam Smith (Pukekohe).
Promising Newcomer (off-road): Brad Groombridge (Taupo).
Rider of the Year (road): Andrew Stroud (Hamilton).
Rider of the Year (off-road): Katherine Prumm (Bombay).
Road Bike of the Year: Suzuki GSX R750.
Off-road Bike of the Year: Kawasaki KXF250.
Innovation award: Taupo Motorcycle Club (wood chip track feature).
Inductee to New Zealand’s Motorcycling Hall of Fame: Graham Crosby (Matakana Island).
Special Achievement Award: Katherine Prumm (Bombay).
