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This past December 9th the Northant Crew held our seventh annual Christmas Dinner and Awards night. After a splendid three course dinner at the White Hart pub in Great Houghton, Northamptonshire I gave out various awards, some more serious than others.
(1) Driving Miss Daisy Award for commitment to speed limits and careful driving! ; Nathan, Shandy, Jason
(2) Sultan of Brunei Award for huge car collections: Ian Page (7 cars)
(3) Blag of the Year : Edward "Ozzy" Carter - 2 cars for £340
(4) Northampton Borough Council Award for Fence & Lamp post maintenance : Shandy Kerti
(5) Lost Sheep Award (no longer yank owners/users): Scott Austin / Mike York / Steve Ellis / Rich Ahern
(6) Best pre 50 John Willet 41 Caddy
(7) Best 50 John Willet 53 Caddy
(8) Best 60 Geoff Carverhill 62 Pontiac Bonneville
(9) Best 70 Karen Smith 79 Camaro
(10) Best 80 : Phil Harrison, 86 Camaro RS
(11) Best 90 : Paul Davis, 99 C5 Vette convertible
(12) Best 00 Martyn Qugley-Phipps 00 Z28
(13) Best Chevy : Art Burgess 88 Chevy Astro
(14) Best Chrysler : Derrick Limbert 97 Eagle Vision
(15) Best Ford : Ian Page 96 Mustang Cobra
(16) Best Truck Paul MacSweeney 68 Chevy C-10
(17) Best Van : Jo Quigley-Phipps, 95 Astro Van
(18) Best SUV : Paul Verallo 00 Chevy Blazer
(19) Best F Body Pam Tune 94 Trans Am
(20) Pontiac Owners Club Best Pontiac : Alan & Marie, 94 Firebird / Neil Lesingham (79 Tran Am)
(21) NASC Best Custom : Jason 88 Lincoln Towncar custom
(22) NASC Best Street Car : Nathan Bovingdon 1980 Trans Am
(23) BMW Owners Club award : Nathan Bovingdon / Steve Ellis
These two shamefully attended Northants AACI meets in two different BMW's each. Nathan in his 730i & our brother's M3, Steve in his two M5's! I am happy to report both were booed heavily by those in attandance!
(24) Long Distance Award : Dean & Barb Johnson (Yorkshire)
(25) Bart Award for High Attendance without your car : Paul "Bart" Thomas / Steve Ellis /
(26) AACI President's Award - Ian Page rising to CEO
(27) Sarah & Neil Award for Outstanding Newcomer Karen Smith / Mary Deeble / Ozzy Carter
Sarah and Neil had been with us for two years and were totally committed to the Northants Crew, often the first to arrive at meetings and always the last to leave. They emigrated to Canada this year and we re-named the Rookie of the Year award in their name.
Karen Smith has been with us since March 2005 and owns a red 79 Camaro. Since buying the car she has become a regular at our meetings and was instrumental in the foundation of the Cruising Angels section of the AACI and won the 1st place 'Angels' award at the Summer Nationals in June.
Mary Deeble has been with us since August and the AACI for the last two years. Many of you will remember Mary's husband 'Hardcore Dave' Deeble who passed away in January 2005 following a long battle with cancer. This year Mary has thrown herself into the scene and the Northants Crew is pleased to have her. She was a natural choise for this award.
Edward "Ozzy" Carter has been with us since just September. In this time he has really got into yank ownership and the club with two cars. He is always early to meets and even got to a meet despite having driven across Germany, France and England that day. You can't beat commitment like that!
(28) Achievement of the year - John Marsh for the restoration of Pete Harris' Challenger
John Marsh, a long time member of our Crew spent the first three months of the year restoring Pete's Challenger to it's former glory. The hard work was worth it as the car went on to pick-up Best Mopar and Best 70's at two Billing shows, Best of Show at the Mopar Euro-Nationals and claimed the small matter of the Classic American magazine Car of the Year heat winner at the Mopars. A massive achievement that had to be recognised by us. John has also built at 69 Camaro out of boxes. More on that in 2006 I expect.
(29) Paragon Resto of the year -Paul MacSweeney, 68 Chevy C-10 stepside pick-up
Paul's Chevy was a real turnaround for him. Previously he had owned a Mustang but wanted a V8 and the truck came up. Following a battle with the paint shop the truck was ready in August and looks the mutt's nuts.
(30) AACI Classic of the Year - Neil Lesingham, 1979 Pontiac Trans Am 6.6
(31) Paragon Car of the Year 68 Mustang Coupe - Dan Springall
A natural pick for top honours. Dan's ultra clean Mussie had previously won Classic of the Year and Restoration of the Year at the last two dinners and was overdue for the top vehicle award we give. Anyone who has seen the car will know why it got the trophy. Well done Dan.
(32) R.W.D Member of the Year Shandy Kerti
Our top area award went to a deserving winner. Shandy has been with us for two years and never misses a meet. He uses his yanks all year round and encourages others to do the same. He has a massive knowledge of all American vehicles and has been instrumental in the recruitment of three members this year alone. Look for the upcoming issue of Torque magazine for an interview with Shandy, our Member of the Year 2005.
Thanks to all who attended especially those who travelled so far.
I would like to thank Paragon MOT & Service Centre for sponsoring the Car & Restoration of the Year trophies, R.W.D. Prestige and Performance Cars Ltd for sponsoring the Member of the Year Trophy and to the AACI for providing the Classic of the Year cup. Also special thanks to the Pontiac Owners Club-UK for sponsoring the certificates.
Special thanks to Mark Ashman of the NASC for endorsing the two awards in his club's name.
BMW did not endorse the use of their name or logo.
Next year's event is already being planned.
All the best
Toby Bovingdon
AACI Vice CEO
Northants Area Rep
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Paul MacSweeney collects his Restoration of the Year award
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Neil Lesingham wins Classic Of the Year for his 79 Trans Am
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A delighted Dan Springall winning Car of the Year for his 68 Mustang coupe
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A Stunned Shandy Kerti wins Member of the Year
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Check out past articles in our local event archives
Northampton Branch of the AACI - Christmas Dinner and Awards Night 2004
Damn Yankees Mayday Nationals
Northampton Branch of the AACI - Christmas Dinner and Awards Night 2003
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