CAMS Service Award for Mike Hicks

22 December 2013 / Words by Bryan Shedden, Photos by David Lawler

The 2013 CAMS New South Wales Motorsport Awards on 30 November was a very special event at Rydges Hotel, Bathurst.

The night marked 60 years of motorsport for CAMS and was the 75th anniversary of the Mount Panorama track.

The function was hosted by well known personality Greg Rust and attended by more than 150 people representing an array of motorsport disciplines across the State of NSW.

The inspirational evening presented a chance to recognise the efforts of those people who exceeded the standards of excellence in our sport, not only through their driving ability but also via their passion and endless hours of dedication and commitment for everything motorsport.

The MX-5 Club of NSW was presented with a 20 Year Milestone Recognition award, received on our behalf by Competition Secretary, David Lawler. Thank you David.

The best was yet to come. Mike Hicks attended the event as Chairman of the NSW Supersprint Panel to award the winners of the Supersprint Championship. Mike was pleasantly surprised and honoured when he was called back to the stage to be presented with a highly prestigious CAMS Service Award. I nominated Mike for this award some months earlier. The citation reads:

Awarded for distinguished service to the motorsport community through his role as Competition Secretary for the Mazda MX-5 Club of NSW. Since 2001, Mike Hicks has been responsible for the organization of club track days, driver training days, and a Supersprint round each year. These events have grown from modest beginnings and their tremendous popularity underpins the growth and success of the MX-5 Club. The grass roots opportunity that these efficient and friendly events provide, now sees up to 180 members participating in motorsport each year. Mike has extended his contribution to the broader motorsport community via his Chairmanship of the CAMS NSW Supersprint Panel, and representation on the CAMS NSW State Executive Council and Australian Sport and Development Commission.

Thank you to Jean Cook, David & Gaynor Lawler and (of course) Cobie Hicks who attended the awards night and celebrated with Mike.

A few months ago at our Club AGM, in thanking Mike for his many years of service, I said "The Club has already bestowed Mike with our highest honour of Life Membership, and I wish we could award it to him again!" With this in mind, it was wonderful to hear Mike subsequently thank the Committee and tell us that the CAMS Service Award meant as much to him as his Life Membership.

Congratulations Mike!