Kurt Thiel Named NYSRRC Driver of the Year
Kurt Thiel was named NYSRRC Driver of the Year for 2003 at the series’ banquet held November 29th at the Binghamton Regency in Binghamton, New York. Kurt competed in all 15 points races in the highly subscribed SM class, with nine top three finishes, which earned him a total of 241 points in his best eleven finishes. A member of the Finger Lakes Region, he also became the SM Class Champion, and second in the Top Ten in points.
Meg Meyer, of South Jersey Region, was another big winner, taking home five trophies. Meg was Class Champion in ITC, and with 195 points she also took fifth in the Top Ten awards. Meg more than doubled her points total from 2002 and took five firsts, earning the title of Most Improved Driver. She was then presented the Jim Burleigh “Scuderia DOM” award based on her off-track participation. Meg has served as NYSRRC points keeper for three years, and helps out in timing and scoring, whenever her group is not on track, or on a corner or the starter’s stand when needed. Meg was also presented the Robert Stephens Memorial Trophy, named after the founder of the NYSRRC series and member of the Glen Region. This award is given by the Glen Region each year for the participant who most exemplifies its inscription “In the Spirit of the Sport.
Brad Barnhouse of the Mahoning Valley Region was named Best New Driver in the NYSRRC series. Brad, who never finished lower than fourth place in his best 11 races in ITA, won the ITA Class Champion and finished third in the Top Ten.
Philadelphia Region’s William Connery was chosen to receive the Eddie Whitmore Memorial Trophy for Formula Vee. The recipient of this trophy is chosen each year by the formula vee drivers based on skill, sportsmanship, and spirit.
The John Chave Award, for a driver who will “Never Give Up”, was given to John Grzech of the Northern New Jersey region. John, an ITS driver, was nominated by other drivers for his determination to continue even when faced with three engine failures. At the same time, John would help any other driver who needed a hand.
The Glen Region was presented with the NYSRRC Interregional Award, given to the region whose drivers qualify for and accumulate the most points in the NYSRRC series.
The Top Ten trophies went to Mike Feno of NNJR (245 pts), Kurt Thiel of FLR (241 pts), Brad Barnhouse of MVR (218 pts), Serge Lentz of NYR (209 pts), Meg Meyer of SJR (195 pts), Dan Pyanowski of WNY (193 pts), Arnie Carbaugh of the Glen Region (190 pts), Bill Sulouff of Steel Cities Region (183 pts), Mark Fickenscher of NEOH (180 pts), and Pete Smith of MoHud Region (172 pts).
Twenty Class Champion trophies were given to Tom Brown (Glen) in AS, Dan Pyanowski (WNY) in CF, Jim Schutt (Glen) in EP, Kent Sawyer (Glen) in FC, Christian Morski (WNY) in FF, Arnie Carbaugh (Glen) in FV, Ed Zebrowski (Glen) in GP, Richard Carlino (Susq) in GT2, Brad Barnhouse (MVR) in ITA, Bill Sulouff (StCt) in ITB, Meg Meyer (SJR) in ITC, Easton Fegley (NEPA) in ITE, John Stewart (NYR) in ITS, Dave Dartt (MoHud) in Legends, W. Burns Moore (NEPA) in S2000, Kurt Thiel (FLR) in SM, George Hulse (Glen) in SPO, Ken Fisher (WNY) in SPU, Mike Feno (NNJR) in SRF, and Mary Hartman (FLR) in SSC.
Eighty attended the banquet and were given party favors of balloons, bubbles, and noisemakers to enhance the celebration. Emcee Mike Cefalo introduced both presenters and past recipients of the various awards.
Several door prizes were drawn, ranging from half off coupons on the 2004 NYSRRC races (donated by the Finger Lakes, Glen, Mohawk Hudson, Northern New Jersey, TRI, and Western New York Regions), to half off and 100% off coupons for test and tune days at Lime Rock Park (donated by Lime Rock Park). Other donations included gift certificates from Vic Franzese of the Montage Restaurant, Seneca Lodge, and race photographer Roz Rosintoski. Several bottles of wine were donated by Kurt Thiel, and SpeedWorkz donated the jacket given as part of the Scuderia DOM award.