For Immediate Release
Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets
47th Annual Awards Banquet
Best Western, Niagara Falls, Ont.
November 17, 2012
by Cindy Lorenz
LUCAS OIL CAN-AM MIDGETS HOLD 47TH AWARDS BANQUET
The Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets celebrated at their 47th Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday night at the Best Western Cairn Croft Hotel in Niagara Falls, Ont. Rob Neely, 2012 Lucas Oil Can-Am Midget Champion, received the winners trophy as car owners Ken and Cindy Lorenz enjoyed their second Championship. Accepting his trophy Neely said "This Championship is extra special because when we had the wreck at Sauble Ken had doubts that we could fix the car for Sunday's race. Well, he got up early the next morning and went at it. The car was great and we finished 3rd. For the final race at Flamboro the car was set up perfect and good luck followed us through the night. I want to thank Billy Pippard for our "Zoom Zoom" this season and Justin Fraser for all his help. I would also like to thank my wife Yvonne and Cindy Lorenz for always being there to help and encourage Ken and me. I especially want to thank Lucas Oil for their continued support of the Can-Am Midget Racing Club. We are proud to run under their banner."
Terry Watts, emcee for the evening, thanked the Club's supporters this season. Thanks went to Lucas Oil for their 8th year as the series sponsor, Hoosier Tire/Bicknell Racing, Thom Boys Powersports and Equipment, Lincoln Welders, Ralph Webbe and Colormark LTD as well as Inside Track Motorsports News and Racetime Radio.
He also went on to mention the recent passing of long time members Bob Stanley and Craig Hill. Stanley, known as "Push Truck Bob" traveled for many years with the Club as our Official Push truck. Craig Hill was a car owner and driver for many years and was instrumental in the Club's long time association with Castrol Canada in its earlier years. May they both Rest In Peace.
The very prestigious "Lifetime Achievement Award" was given to Founding Member Albert Banyard. Being with the club since its early beginnings in 1965, he continues to work weekly as an Official at the track. He has held many positions in the Can-Am Midget Club, from Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and is an Honorary Board Member. He raced for 24 years at over 30 different tracks in the US and Canada in his familiar #8 Can-Am TQ Midget but you will now find him in his #8 red golf cart cruising the pits. He received a standing ovation from everyone at the banquet. Congratulations Albert!
The "Special Awards" of the evening were then given out. Adrian Stahle received the 2012 "George McIntyre Memorial Rookie of the Year" trophy. Capturing his very first win at Varney Speedway on his 18th Birthday and finishing 7th in points, this young man earned the respect of the other drivers in his first year in this very competitive series. He will be a driver to watch in 2013.
The "Albert Banyard Sportsman of the Year" trophy was given to David Balych. This special award has extra meaning because it is voted on by the car owners, drivers and Officials. Balych is always willing to lend a helping hand and earned this award. Congratulations David.
The "Rick Sykes Memorial Most Improved Driver" award went to Chris Holman. Capturing his very first feature win at the final race of the year at Flamboro Speedway and finishing 6th in the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midget points, Holman was thrilled with this trophy.
The "Harry Macy Mechanic of the Year" trophy went to car owner Ken Lorenz for the winning car. Rob and Yvonne Neely surprised him with a special 'surf board' trophy in honor of this award.
The "Official of the Year" award went to Race Director Terry Watts. This award is also voted on by the car owner, drivers and Officials.
The "President's Award" was given to Cindy Lorenz and Rob Neely by President Ken Lorenz noting all their encouragement for him to keep going and never giving up.
Trophies were given to the top 15 drivers in final points for the 2012 Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets. They were, 2nd place, Darren McLennan, owner Larry McLennan, 3rd place, Mack DeMan, owner Andy Mackereth, 4th place, James Gray, owner Wayne Gray, 5th place, Corey Moesker, owner Mark Moesker, 6th place, Chris Holman, 7th place, Adrian Stahle, owner Craig Mackereth, 8th place, Jeff Blackburn, 9th place, Todd Cresswell, 10th place, Tom Kyle, 11th place, Chris Bauman, 12th place, Dave Hickson, 13th place, Rob DiVenanzo, 14th David Balych, 15th Earl Caine.
A big "Thank You" went to Kim Banyard and Yvonne Neely for another great banquet and the celebrations continued until the wee hours of the morning.
For more information on the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets, contact Cindy Lorenz at clorenz74@yahoo.com
Linkback: https://www.canadianracingonline.com/smf/index.php?topic=16808.msg106203#msg106203
