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ACU Awards Evening

The great & the good of the Auto Cycle Union gathered at the Park Inn Northampton on Saturday 30th January for their annual Awards Presentation. 280 guests attended the Youth presentation in the afternoon & 450 guests filled the pallacial ballroom to honour the Adult Champions of 2009 i the evening.

The programme began with an introduction by the Chairman of the ACU, Jim Parker. Mr Parker reported that - despite the recession - the ACU has had another successful year. He then presented the Road Racing Awards as Road Race Committee Chairman.

The presentations were made between courses of an excellent meal that was produced by the staff of the Park Inn piping hot & with military precision. Warm Four Cheese Tart with a Sweet Pepper Salsa for a starter followed by Garlic & Rosemary Studded Leg of Lamb served with a Rich Minted Gravy & finally Sticky Toffee Pudding served with an Even Stickier Toffee Sauce. Lovely.

The Trials & Enduro Awards were conducted by ACU Trials & Enduro Committee Chairman John Collins assisted by ACU Trials & Enduro Secretary Mary Kerr & Metzeler's Chris Blomfield. Partly because the presentation was later this year in the rapidly diminishing "off Season", several riders were unable to attend in person. David Knight was on the podium at the IEWC in Barcelona. Paul Edmondson & Tom Sagar were freezing in Wales. Paul forwarded his apologies & thanked the ACU for the support that help him win his record breaking 16th Gold medal at the ISDE in Portugal. He also won the Meeten Prize. The ISDE awards were presented by the Right Reverend John Oliver & accepted on behalf of the teams by Greg Evans, Team manager Dusty Martin & Junior rider Jamie Paget. Greg also won the Arthur Prince award. The British Veterans did well in the European Enduro Championship in 2009 with Phil Smithson finishing 3rd & the British team on Phil Smithson, Karl Greenall & Julian Crimp were the runners up. The future is in the safe hands of Richard Ellwood & Lee Sampson in the Juniors. 

The Right Reverend John Oliver presents Julian Crimp, Phil Smithson & Karl Greenall with their UEM Vets team trophy	Edward Jones - Metzeler British ACU E1 2 Stroke Enduro Champion presented by Chris Blomfield
Daryl Bolter - Metzeler British ACU E1 4 Stroke Enduro Champion	Metzeler British ACU E3 Enduro Champion Jamie Paget
ACU E1 4 Stroke Expert Enduro Champion Craig Reynolds	ACU E2 Expert Enduro Champion Mark Roberts

The Stars were out at the ACU Awards in Northampton - ACU press release

Once again, the ACU celebrated in style the achievements of our World, European and British Champions from Road Racing, Motocross, Trials, Enduro, Grass Track and Supermoto at The Annual ACU Awards and Presentations held at the Park Inn Hotel in Northampton on Saturday 30th January.

Traditionally, the Youth Presentations were held in the afternoon, and 280 guests were delighted when John Collins, the Trials & Enduro Committee Chairman started the proceedings by introducing the triumphant FIM Womens Trials Des Nation's team - Becky Cook, Emma Bristow and Joanne Coles to present the Trials Awards. This was followed by Tony Noel welcoming Lewis Denham, the ACU/Speedway Star 500cc Solo Masters Champion to present the Track Racing Awards and finally, Gary Thompson invited Paul Winrow, ten times ACU Quad Champion to present the Motocross and Quad Awards. Awards winners, some as young as six years of age were invited to collect their well earned trophy for their performances in 2009 and, with great pride, the youngsters were called up one by one to receive their accolades.

ACU General Secretary Gary Thompson, responsible for organising the Awards commented, "It takes a lot of work to put together both the Adult and Youth Awards, but to see the pride on the faces of these young riders when they hear their names called really does make it all worthwhile. Over the years it is just very gratifying to watch the progression these youngsters make as they take on the worlds best. We only have to look at the fantastic achievements of Cal Crutchlow, Alexz Wigg and Michael Brown to name but a few to reassure us that what we are doing is right. Yes, there are other organisations that encourage riders to participate in their events, but, at the end of the day, if someone wishes to compete at international level and aspires to be a World or European Champion, then the ACU as the recognised governing body can hopefully help them to reach their full potential and go on to achieve their dreams".

The evening was a much more formal affair with 450 guests suitably dressed for the occasion. A fantastic array of Awards and Trophies lit up the stage as the Chairman Jim Parker and Gary Thompson welcomed everyone to the presentations. Legendary stars such as John Cooper and Sammy Miller were amongst those invited to present awards. FIM World Sidecar Champions Ben and Tom Birchall, UEM Superstock champion Gino Rea and the successful Trials Des Nations girls were amongst the many riders who had made the trip to Northampton to have their achievements recognised.

Jim Parker remarked, "This event is always a special and important occasion in the ACU calendar. I am delighted to see so many of our Award winners together in one room. No other organisation in motorcycle sport can boast so many Awards being presented in so many different disciplines - both Off Road and within Road Racing. It was also a pleasure to meet with so many of our Sponsors and Organisers, whose continuing support is very much appreciated and integral to the success of our championships".

2009 winners
FIM ROAD RACE CHAMPIONS
FIM Supersport World Champion Cal Crutchlow
FIM Sidecar World Champions Ben Birchall & Thomas Birchall 
Grand Prix 125 World Championship Bradley Smith - 2nd
UEM ROAD RACE & DRAG CHAMPIONS
European Superstock 600cc Champion Gino Rea
International Classic Grand Prix Cup - 350cc Lea Gourlay - Champion Ian Simpson - 2nd Richard Parker - 3rd
International Classic Grand Prix Cup - 250cc Steve Clark - 2nd
Vintage Road Racing Cup Class 5 - 500cc Nigel Hall-Smith
European Top Fuel Drag Bike Champion Ian King
European Pro Stock Championship Martin Bishop - 3rd
ACU ROAD RACE, DRAG & SPRINT CHAMPIONS
Buff ACU British Supermono Champion Mark Lawes
R&G Suzuki GSX-R Trophy Champion Ross Conolly
GP250cc ACU National Champion Jason Davis
Yokohama ACU FSRA British F2 Sidecar Champions John Holden & Andy Winkle
Yokohama ACU FSRA British F2 Sidecar Cup Champions Dean Henry & Ian Smith
The Dunlop Trophy for the most promising ACU Road Race Academy Rider Tim Hastings
David Bailey Trophy Danny Kent
British Scooter Champion Charles Edmonds
Top Fuel Drag Race Champion Steve Woollatt
Super Streetbike Drag Race Champion Richard Stubbins
Competition Bike Drag Race Champion Ivan Birch
Prostock Drag Race Champion Dave Beck
Funnybike Drag Race Champion Kevin Charman
British Sprint Champion Alan Tinnion
ACU SUPERMOTO CHAMPIONS
Proppa.com ACU British Supermoto Championship Elite Class - Christian Iddon (19) Lites Class - Oliver Harrison SM Cup - Bruce Dingle Junior Class - Joe Collier SXV Challenge - Bruce Dingle
Lockton Award for Outstanding Contribution To ACU Motorcycle Marshalling Derek Archer
FIM TRIAL CHAMPIONS
Women's Trial World Championship Becky Cook - 2nd
Women's Trial des Nations - 1st (22 but also check CD) Emma Bristow Joanne Coles Becky Cook
Trial des Nations - 2nd Michael Brown James Dabill Dougie Lampkin Alexz Wigg
FIM Junior Trial World Cup Champion Alexz Wigg (23.1, .2, .3 and.or .4)
FIM Youth Trial Cup Champion Jonathan Richardson (23.4, 24.1, .2 and/or.3)
UEM TRIAL CHAMPIONS
UEM Trial Championship Alexz Wigg - 3rd
UEM Women's Trial Championship Becky Cook - 2nd
UEM Junior Trial Cup Champion Jonathan Richardson
UEM Youth Trial Cup Jack Sheppard - 2nd
ACU TRIAL CHAMPIONS
ACU Events Ltd British Solo Trials Champion James Dabill
ACU Events Ltd British Solo Trials Championship Expert A Champion Sam Connor
ACU Events Ltd British Solo Trials Championship Expert A Best 125cc Award Ben Morphett
ACU Events Ltd British Solo Trials Championship Expert B Champion Sam Ludgate
ACU Womens Trials Champion Becky Cook
Womens Intermediate Champion Emma Morphett
ACU Novogar Trials Champion Chris Pearson
ACU Novogar Trials Championship Best 125cc Award Jonathan Richardson
ACU Novogar Trials Championship Best Over 40 Award Mick Boam
ACU British Sidecar Trials Champions Jon Tuck & Matt Sparkes
ACU Intermediate Sidecar Trials Championship Seemond Stephens & Gary Davey ACU Clubmans Sidecar Trials Champions Gareth Andrew & Keith Morcom
ACU Clubmans Sidecar Trials Championship Best Newcomers Award David Willcocks & Michael Ripper
ACU Traditional Trials Series (Sponsored by Normandale) (Normandale logo from Board 8) Class A Carl Batty (33) Class B David Pye (34) Class C Mark Reason (35) Class D Ashley Hall (36) Class E Clive Charlton (37) Class F Jon Bliss
ACU Sammy Miller Products Trial Championship Best British Performance Paul Anstey (39) Pre Unit Rigids Steve Allen (40) Pre Unit Springer Martyn Wilmore Two Stroke Brad Jones Unit Construction Paul Anstey Pre Unit Sidecar Paul Fishlock & Debbie Merrell (41) Unit Sidecar Ian Hannam & Debbie Smith (42) British Specials Twinshock Phillip Wiffen
ACU Trail Bike Champion Julian Page
British Bike Trial Championship Femina Lois Morgan Junior Ryan Trickett Senior Mathew Burge Elite Daniel Butler
ISDE AWARDS
ACU British ISDE Trophy Team Paul Edmondson Greg Evans David Knight Euan McConnell Tom Sagar Si Wakely
ACU British ISDE Junior Trophy Team Lee Edmondson Oliver Moyce Jamie Paget Ashley Wood
Welsh Motorcycle Federation Award Best British Club Team MCC of Wales A Andrew Edwards Dylan Jones Gethin Price Gemma Williams - Team Manager Mike Davies - Team Manager 2nd
Meeten Award Paul Edmondson
Arthur Prince Award Greg Evans
Tim Ward Award Andrew Edwards
UEM ENDURO CHAMPIONS
UEM Enduro Championship Veterans Class Phillip Smithson - 3rd
Enduro Veteran Team Trophy - 2nd Julian Crimp Karl Greenall Phillip Smithson
UEM Enduro Indoor Junior Cup Richard Ellwood - 1st Lee Sampson - 2nd
ACU ENDURO CHAMPIONS
Metzeler British Solo Enduro Champion David Knight
Metzeler British ACU E1 2 Stroke Enduro Champion Edward Jones
Metzeler British ACU E1 4 Stroke Enduro Champion Daryl Bolter
Metzeler British ACU E2 Enduro Champion David Knight
Metzeler British ACU E3 Enduro Champion Jamie Paget
ACU Expert Enduro Champion Rheinallt Davies
ACU E1 2 Stroke Expert Enduro Champion Rheinallt Davies
ACU E1 4 Stroke Expert Enduro Champion Craig Reynolds
ACU E2 Expert Enduro Champion Mark Roberts
ACU E3 Expert Enduro Champion Ben Begbie
ACU Clubman Enduro Champion Gareth Davies
ACU E1 Clubman 2 Stroke Enduro Champion Kalem Hicks
ACU E1 Clubman 4 Stroke Enduro Champion Frazer Norrie
ACU E2 Clubman Enduro Champion Gareth Davies
ACU E3 Clubman Enduro Champion Keith Wooster
ACU Veteran Clubman Enduro Champion Carl Tiley
ACU British Sidecar Enduro Champion Gareth Andrew & George Edgvean
ACU Sidecar Enduro Clubman Champions Alistair & Sharon Nevill
ACU Sidecar Enduro Newcomers Award Roger James & Sam Wilkinson
Best Woman in Sidecar Enduro Anne Giles (88)
Indoor Enduro Championship Pro-Expert Class Richard Ellwood
Clubman Class Dewi Ritchie
Trial Cross Class Jonny Walker
British Quad Cross-country Champion Paul Winrow
ACU Quad Enduro Champion William Duggan
FIM TRACK RACING CHAMPIONS
FIM 1000cc Sidecar World Championship Rob Wilson & Terry Saunters - 3rd
UEM TRACK RACING CHAMPIONS
UEM Solo Grass Track Championship Glen Phillips - 3rd
ACU TRACK RACING CHAMPIONS
ACU Speedway Star British Masters Open Champion 500cc Solo Lewis Denham
ACU Speedway Star British Masters Open Champions 1000cc Sidecar Mark Cossar & Tom Cossar
British Grass Track 250cc Champion Harland Cook
British Grass Track 350cc Champion Jason Handley
British Grass Track 500cc Sidecar Champions Nick Radley & Abi Radley
British Grass Track Under 21's Champion Jamie Rodgers
British Master Challenge Champion 500cc Solo Tom Perry
British Master Challenge Champions 1000cc Sidecar Richard Thomas & Jason Barry
Best Pairs Champions 250 Solo Paul Simmons/Adam Shipp
350 Solo Richard Smith/Dave Mears
500 Solo Mitch Godden/Vince Kinchin
500 Sidecar Nick & Abi Radley/ Simon Beard & Mark Kearns
1000cc Sidecar Rod Winterburn & Liam Brown/ Colin Blackbourn & Martyn Smith
1000cc Left Hand Sidecar Danny Hollman & Ben Fitness/ Martin Cuff & Steve North
Pre 75 Champions 250 Richard Warry
350 Dave Norris
500 Dave Norris
British Short Track Champion Pete Boast
Brian Stibbs Trophy Rob Bradley & Shaun Simpson
Jim Rendall Trophy Jamie Rodgers
SPEEDWAY CHAMPIONS
Speedway Champion of Great Britain Chris Harris
British Sidecar Speedway Champions Matt Tyrell & Shaun Yates
British Under 21 Speedway Champion Lewis Bridger
British Under 18 Speedway Champion Jerran Hart
British Under 15 Speedway Champion - 500cc Ashley Morris
British Under 15 Speedway Champion - 250cc Brandon Freemantle
UEM MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONS
Goldspeed EMX-Quad European Champion Paul Holmes
ACU MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONS
Maxxis ACU British MX1 Motocross Champion Brad Anderson
Maxxis ACU British MX2 Motocross Champion Stephen Sword
Maxxis ACU British MX2 Manufacturers Award KTM
Maxxis ACU British MXY2 Motocross Champion Josh Waterman
Maxxis ACU British MXY2 Manufacturers Award KTM
Maxxis ACU British Veterans Motocross Champion Rob Herring
ACU British MMX Championship Ft: British Open Motocross Champion Kristian Whatley
ACU British MMX Championship Ft: British Under 21 Motocross Champion Scott Elderfield
ACU British MMX Championship Ft: British Open Class Quad Champion Paul Winrow
ACU British MMX Championship Ft: British Under 21 Quad Champion Paul Holmes
ACU British MMX Quad Qualifying Championship Andy Britton
National Quad Masters Motocross Championship Andy Britton
British Dirt Bike Bitch Ladies Motocross Championship Natalie Kane - Champion Kerry Wilson - 2nd Stacey Fisher - 3rd
Maxxis British Sidecar Motocross Champions Stuart Brown & Luke Peters
ACU Sidecar Clubmans Champions Colin Philpott & Stuart Dance
20 & 21) The Dunlop Trophy for the most improved ACU Off Road Academy Rider Josh Waterman
Interphone National Road Rally
MENCAP Varley Challenge Trophy Best Solo Martin Dunham
Basic Challenge Trophy Best Sidecar/3 Wheeler Peter Hancock & Eamonn O'Kane
News Chronicle/Daily Mirror Cup Best Scooter Darrell Milnes
Belstaff Challenge Best Services Rider Malcolm Geer
Diamond Jubilee Trophy Best Team 2PC AND NOT PC Simon Gardner David Shelley Martin Dunham
Oldest Combination Rider and Machine David Waters
Youngest Rider Gavin Spurgeon
Top Mencap Fundraiser Brian Stewart