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Post by percy on Jun 23, 2015 20:45:35 GMT 12
Around 5 or so years ago I wrote an article in NZDTR Magazine that discussed the speedway awards and suggested a number of changes that I believe would enhance the awards. I believe the integrity of the awards is very important for the sport. I'm happy that progress has been made and the awards have progressed in the last 5 years. This is the first year in which I have nominated myself for an award because I finally believe the awards have some integrity.
Having just returned from 9 meetings in the USA I've had time to sit down and analyse the winners of this years awards.
I have nothing against Peter Bengston winning the competitor of the year award. Peter has been in the upper echelon of the Superstock class for as long as I can remember. He and his team are fantastic ambassadors for the sport. They travel the miles each and every season, competing with integrity and respect for other competitors. However I'm struggling to mount a case for Peter winning the competitor of the year award based on this past season, especially when compared with a couple of other competitors.
The case for Peter Bengston
New Zealand Title - 2nd place
Grand Prix - Did not make podium
North Island Title - Did not make podium
World 240's - Did not make podium
Teams Events - Winner @ PN, 2nd place @ Akl
The case for Luke Keegan
New Zealand Title - Winner (3rd straight year)
Grand Prix - Winner
South Island Title - Winner
Super Dirt Cup - 2nd place
The case for Brad Mosen
New Zealand Title - Winner
Grand Prix - Winner
North Island Title - Winner
International Midget Series - One 2nd place finish (Boxing Night)
Luke Keegan is only the 2nd Modified competitor in the history of the class to win 3 straight New Zealand titles (Glen Free the 1st). Furthermore he won the title at the home track of his main opponent Jamie Fox. After sweeping the SNZ Titles and finishing 2nd in the only other major Modified event, if Luke Keegan wasn't the competitor of the year then what exactly does he have to do to be competitor of the year?
Brad Mosen also swept the SNZ titles, the first Midget competitor to do so for roughly 30 years. Not even Michael Pickens has achieved that and Brad also represented New Zealand overseas (remember the speedway season hasn't yet finished).
This is the most important competitor award we have in the sport. Can someone please explain how Peter Bengston won this award over Luke Keegan and Brad Mosen? I know winning isn't everything but historically it has seemingly had a heavy weighting for this award. What exactly did Luke and Brad do to miss out on the award to someone who won a total of zero SNZ Allocated Titles?
I'd like Barry Brown to post a list of the winners of this award over the last decade. It would be interesting to analyse how many Superstock competitors have won this award compared with other classes.
If we are to keep moving forward with the awards we need a superior level of robustness when it comes to deciding the winner. If the premiere competitor award lacks integrity it's hard to have faith in the rest of the awards, including the award I won.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2015 21:11:41 GMT 12
I'll translate....
So I think I thought the Speedway awards were finally worthy of a nomination of myself, by myself, for myself. Seems in my category they picked the right winner but in one of the major ones they didn't so in hindsight maybe the awards weren't worthy of a nomination of myself, by myself, for myself.
You say you have nothing against Peter B winning the award but then imply giving it to him lacks integrity. I respect your your right to question if the award went to the right person as you hopefully respect my right to call your post pretty dang disrespectful.
The problem with the supreme award is,much like the Halberg awards among others, you are never ever comparing apples with apples, so I don't believe you can ever say the wrong guy won.
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Post by Admin on Jun 23, 2015 21:45:47 GMT 12
As I've said many a time, competitor awards should be data driven and not judged. The only one that should be judged is the sportsman award.
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Post by Murray Guy (Grandad) on Jun 23, 2015 21:46:43 GMT 12
I'm assuming you mean Overall Sportsperson of the Year
First things first, what were / are the qualifications? Read what SNZ says.
Personally, if a significant weighting was put on 'SNZ Title' achievements then that makes a mockery of the criteria posted.
For the most part (not always), my observations and experience suggest, those who achieve podium status most often are least likely to be of a mind to put aside a helliva lot of time for others. Success nearly always has a self-goal orientated focus accompanying it.
Looking at the list most of us would only know anything of substance about a handful at best.
As a Director I'm sure they are very reliant on matching nominees to a series of tick boxes and scoring within, couple with first hand feedback.
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Post by beachboy on Jun 23, 2015 21:55:58 GMT 12
How many competitors did Luke and Brad come up against in each of the titles you have mentioned and how many races for each title meeting?
looks like we need to add an open wheel competitor of the year award to keep everyone happy.
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Post by BarryB on Jun 23, 2015 21:58:22 GMT 12
Firstly it's the "Sportsperson of the Year", not "Competitor".
Up until 2002 SNZ had their own, separate from the NZ Speedway Awards winner. I don't have the SNZ list (but do seem to remember Muzza Gordge, Glenn Smith, King George and Willie Noonan all winning at different times, and I think Brett Horrobin too) but since 2003 they've been one in the same.
1995 Bryce Collings (Midget)
1996 No Awards
1997 Maurice Cowling (Super Saloon)
1998 Stan Hickey (Superstock)
1999 Bryce Townsend (TQ Midget)
2000 Murray Pierce (Super Saloon)
2001 Peter Huijs (TQ Midget)
2002 No Awards
2003 Alan Wakeling (Sprintcars)
2004 Tama Arapere (Modified)
2005 Stan Hickey (Superstock)
2006 Steve Williams (Super Saloon)
2007 Toby Lardelli & Michael Bond (Sidecar)
2008 Phil Towgood (Saloon)
2009 Malcolm Ngatai (Superstock)
2010 Peter Rees (Stockcar/Superstock)
2011 Peter Rees (Stockcar/Superstock)
2012 Joe Faram (Superstock)
2013 Shane Penn (Superstock)
2014 Jason Bunyon (Solo)
2015 Peter Bensgton (Superstock)
I don't mind providing the list, but just remember these competitors are all champions.
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Post by boner87 on Jun 23, 2015 23:16:59 GMT 12
I would would say competitor of the year is more some one who goes everywhere, helps anyone, is fair etc.
A sportsperson of the year would be a "champion"
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Post by Murray Guy (Grandad) on Jun 23, 2015 23:30:37 GMT 12
I would would say competitor of the year is more some one who goes everywhere, helps anyone, is fair etc. A sportsperson of the year would be a "champion"
Boner87. Hmmmmmmmm. How did you arrive at that handle? You don't have to answer! 
Anyway, an observation. This open discussion is interesting in that it identifies the diverse thoughts and understandings we all have.
Unlike Boner87, I apply less of an emphasis on the 'champion status' when the term 'sportsperson' is used.
I phrase which puts me in a certain age bracket was , "you're a good sport", or "gidday sport". This referred to someone helping you out, a mate.
In contrast, a competitor to me is competitive, out to win, over, around or through another, whatever it takes.
So, Boner87, tell us .... if you can! 
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2015 8:36:41 GMT 12
The whole Speedway Awards system is a crock of sh-t . Winners Super Saloons = 1 NZ Mini Sprints 1 NZ Saloons 1 NZ Modifieds 1 NZ Sprint Cars 1 NZ Stock Cars 1 NZ Super Stocks 2 NZ  Has to be something personal or rigged there .. I certainly agree with Percy on his comments.. |
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Post by Wiseowl on Jun 24, 2015 9:37:55 GMT 12
Good Morning Gentlemen
This is my first posting for months but I just had to get off the perch in the Barn for this one.
Isn't discussion fantastic..
I guess that's why we are not like monkeys still in trees !! human communication.. great stuff
I can see you guys arguing about this topic till next years awards LOL
Reading these posts just proves how difficult it is to have everyone agreeing with each other to decide the "Winner" of this Title.
So now imagine how in the heck the voting panel made a decision !!
God Help them !!
I wouldn't want the job !!
Cheers
Wiseowl
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Post by midway on Jun 24, 2015 9:41:16 GMT 12
Percy got the wooden spoon award , :)he is yet to be presented with it ..but for once have to agree a long his lines that is posted
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Post by HadleyMotorsport on Jun 24, 2015 9:44:29 GMT 12
Take nothing away from the drivers that have won the award, all big names in their own right, but I do feel myself its generally pretty predictable that a Stockcar/Superstock driver will win.
The only non contact class person to win in the last 7 years had to win his 9th NZ title in 11 years, including three runs of three peat 1NZ's, race in both the UK and NZ - and if I remember the speech well from the last awards, help out the class and future stars along the way.
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Post by midway on Jun 24, 2015 9:47:41 GMT 12
Good Morning Gentlemen This is my first posting for months but I just had to get off the perch in the Barn for this one. Isn't discussion fantastic.. I guess that's why we are not like monkeys still in trees !! human communication.. great stuff I can see you guys arguing about this topic till next years awards LOL Reading these posts just proves how difficult it is to have everyone agreeing with each other to decide the "Winner" of this Title. So now imagine how in the heck the voting panel made a decision !! God Help them !! I wouldn't want the job !! Cheers Wiseowl You arent perched outside the Hookers night club by chance |
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Post by BarryB on Jun 24, 2015 10:14:00 GMT 12
Good Morning Gentlemen This is my first posting for months but I just had to get off the perch in the Barn for this one. Isn't discussion fantastic.. I guess that's why we are not like monkeys still in trees !! human communication.. great stuff I can see you guys arguing about this topic till next years awards LOL Reading these posts just proves how difficult it is to have everyone agreeing with each other to decide the "Winner" of this Title. So now imagine how in the heck the voting panel made a decision !! God Help them !! I wouldn't want the job !! Cheers Wiseowl I think there's a whole bunch of names on there that could have won without surprising, but could still be questioned if you pull the whole thing apart? We all know what they all did ON the racetrack, but we don't know what else most of them do off it. All I can say, looking at the list of nominees, that you could put them before 4 different judging panels and come up with 4 different winners. We're so lucky to have so many top people/drivers choosing speedway as their weekend hobby. Barry B |
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Post by Admin on Jun 24, 2015 10:24:24 GMT 12
Sportsman - a person who exhibits qualities highly regarded in sport, such as fairness, generosity, observance of the rules, and good humour when losing
Seems to me Sportsman of the year isn't/shouldn't be focused around winning races or championships but is a judgement based on the above qualities.
I think Percy unwittingly summed it up in this paragraph
'Peter has been in the upper echelon of the Superstock class for as long as I can remember. He and his team are fantastic ambassadors for the sport. They travel the miles each and every season, competing with integrity and respect for other competitors.'
If there are some that feel shortchanged then perhaps there needs to be more Sportmanship awards as I'm sure each class has people that are regarded as sportsmen by their peers, fans and officials.
Separate awards may devalue the overall Sportsman of the year award. Not to mention a whole lot more judging work to be done.
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Post by percy on Jun 24, 2015 12:48:14 GMT 12
Thanks to everyone who has posted constructively on this topic. It has been interesting to read the various perspectives and it has helped me come up with the following solution.
I'd like to see the various competitor of the year awards and sportsperson the year awards scrapped and replaced by the following:
- Contribution to Club
- Contribution to Speedway
- Special Achievement Award
There may be more that I haven't yet thought about.
It is not my intention that each award would only be awarded to one competitor per season. Some years nobody might win an award but in most years I'd expect multiple recipients for each award.
I wouldn't necessarily regulate the awards to one season. For instance Contribution to club could be awarded to a 10-Year club President who has lifted membership by 50%, or a driver who hasn't missed a working bee in 20 years. Or it may be awarded to someone who has spearheaded a 6-month project that yields outstanding results for a club.
Under this system Peter Bengston could have been acknowledged for his long-term contribution to Speedway whilst Luke Keegan and Brad Mosen could have received a Special Achievement awards for achieving something that hasn't been done for 30 odd years.
I believe my system would also be less controversial (without totally removing controversy) and would see a wider variety of competitors recognised on awards night as opposed to handing out awards to 1nz's which is what we seem to do most years.
Would like some feedback on this idea.
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Post by thewatcher on Jun 24, 2015 17:21:49 GMT 12
Im curious to know who the judges are to be honest as think that could explain a lot of what or who won what as it isnt transparent enough as everything is behind closed doors .
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Post by boner87 on Jun 25, 2015 9:06:12 GMT 12
I would would say competitor of the year is more some one who goes everywhere, helps anyone, is fair etc. A sportsperson of the year would be a "champion"
Boner87. Hmmmmmmmm. How did you arrive at that handle? You don't have to answer!
Anyway, an observation. This open discussion is interesting in that it identifies the diverse thoughts and understandings we all have.
Unlike Boner87, I apply less of an emphasis on the 'champion status' when the term 'sportsperson' is used.
I phrase which puts me in a certain age bracket was , "you're a good sport", or "gidday sport". This referred to someone helping you out, a mate.
In contrast, a competitor to me is competitive, out to win, over, around or through another, whatever it takes.
So, Boner87, tell us .... if you can!
I'm just going off other awards (halbergs) where the sportsperson of the year is some who has to exceptionally well etc. this is why I would put competitor of the year as as some one who is not necessarily a champion but someone who is a great competitor of the sport which doesn't mean they have to be a winner. Just my opinion that's all |
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Post by spdwayorthehway on Jun 25, 2015 14:44:30 GMT 12
Since it's sportsperson of the year, then other years shouldn't come into it.
I think the whole thing comes down to what is written about the person in the nomination.
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Post by BarryB on Jun 26, 2015 8:48:09 GMT 12
Over the years I've often thought I'd quite to see a "Special Acehievement Award", as Percy said, one that could possibly be awarded a person, a group of people, or maybe even 2-3 different people/groups in the same year, but perhaps not awarded again for another few years if nobody achieves anything "special". Just something random that could be considered every 12 months, so as to be able to recognise somebody that achieves something out of the ordinary that is not really covered by any of the other regular categories.
That thought went some way to being fixed this year with one brand new category, the "Innovation of the Year", but their could arguably be room for this award annually AS WELL AS that mentioned above.
The Awards night has a budget obviously, so the organisers do need to know how much everything is going to cost out at well in advance. That requires the number of trophies needing to be made to be pretty well be set in stone a reasonable way out too, which makes it pretty difficult to go down the "in most years I'd expect multiple recipients for each award" path too. Mind you, there's ways around most thnigs.........
Barry B
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