Charlie Campbell Named NYSRRC Driver of the Year for 2006
Charlie Campbell was named 2006 Driver of the Year at the series banquet held on November 25th at the Holiday Inn - Waterloo in Waterloo, NY. Charlie, a MoHud member, competed in 8 of the 10 weekends, and 12 of 15 races. He had 4 wins, including an impressive win in a 34 car field at the July weekend at the Glen on the way to the SM Class Championship. Charlie also had one 2nd, three 3rd's, and a 4th, 5th, 6th and 8th place finishes. He amassed 324 points (of which 35 were dropped) on the way to also finishing with the most points overall (289).
The Inter-Regional Award (which goes to the region whose drivers collected the most points) went to the Mohawk-Hudson Region (MoHud).
James Esgrow was named the 2006 Best New Driver. Jim, from the Glen Region, competed in 4 weekends on the way to accumulating 85 points, and winning in FM.
David Lendrum was named the 2006 Most Improved Driver. David, also a MoHud member, competed in 6 weekends (and 8 races) on his way to 232 points, and second place in the highly subscribed Spec Miata class. While not able to win a race, David had two 2nds, two 3rds, and two 4ths, and only one field was less than 20 cars. Last year, David had 126 points (good for 3rd place) in SSM.
The John Chave ("never give up") award was given to Tom Campbell for 2006. While Tom was unable to meet the minimum requirements this year, he was at many of the races, helping other drivers, and working the races.
The Robert W. Stephens Award (awarded by the Glen Region to the person who exemplifies the NYSRRC founders "In the Spirit of the Sport") was presented to Tom Brown of the Glen Region. Tom was also unable to compete this season, but was always around, helping other drivers, driving the pace car, or doing whatever else was necessary to keep the races going.
The Scuderia DOM Award ("The Jim Burleigh Award") was presented to Marie Sheehe. Marie is the past NYSRRC Administrator, and is at many races working or chiefing Timing and Scoring, and otherwise making her presence felt. As noted by emcee Ed Zebrowski, Marie is not quiet, but usually working behind the scenes to make events successful.
The 2006 Eddie Whitmore Award (chosen by the FV drivers) went to Mike O'Brien, of the Glen Region.
The 2006 Chairman's Award was presented by the current NYSRRC Administrator, Tim Meddaugh, to Jim Sheridan. Tim felt that Jim should be recognized for his spirit of the sport when he left his wrecked Spec Miata (at a rather terreible crash at the Fun One) to go to the aid of another driver.
The Top Ten point-getters were: Charlie Campbell (Mohud) 289 points, David Lendrum (MoHud) 232, Mark Fickensher (MVR) 203, Thomas Riley (NER) 197, Darrell LaPoint (NER) 190, Brad Barnhouse (MVR) 176, Windell Holmes (NYR) 174, Geoffrey Stim (MoHud) 172, Chris Pluta (FLR) 170, and Meg Meyer (SJR) 168.
There were 19 class winners. They were: AS Tom Lane (Glen), CF JD King (SJR), CSR Joseph Rodomista (NYR), EP Pedro Ortiz (NYR), FM Jim Esgrow (Glen), FV Robert DePalma (FLR), GP Jonathan Waterhouse (MoHud), GT1 Peter Andrighetti (NER), ITA Brad Barnhouse (MVR), ITB Dan Thiel (FLR), ITC Meg Meyer (SJR), ITS Bill Weaver (Glen), SM Charlie Campbell (MoHud), SPU Ken Fisher (WNY), SRF Mark Fickensher (MVR), SSC Mary Hartman (FLR), and SSM Darrell LaPoint (NER).
Approximately 60 people attended the banquet. There were balloons, small race cars, and candles at each table. Several door prizes of 1/2 off future races were given out.
Emcee Ed Zebrowski introduced and presented the awards (including his own 2nd place in SSM). It was a nice night, and everyone is looking forward to next season.