25-year-old Whincup, who grew up in the suburb of Greensborough in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, celebrated long into the evening as the winner of the 49th Australian Touring Car Championship, joining legendary past winners including Allan Moffat, Peter Brock, Ian Geoghegan, Craig Lowndes, Dick Johnson, Mark Skaife and Jim Richards.
“I am absolutely honoured to be awarded the 2008 Australian Touring Car Championship title, to have my name alongside such greats as Ian Geoghegan, Peter Brock and Dick Johnson is normally something you only dream about.” said Whincup.
Outgoing Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) President Colin Osborne has been recognised for his service with a Recognition Award, Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chairman Ron Walker and former Australian Formula 1 driver turned distinguished motorsport official Tim Schenken were both presented with CAMS Membership of Honour.
Retired Chief Executive of V8 Supercars Australia Wayne Cattach, owner of Oran Park Raceway Tony Perich and long-time competitor and official Ann Thomson from Queensland were each made Life Members of CAMS.
Top Porche Prize goes to Aussie
Australian race driver Alex Davison has won the Porsche Cup, awarded by Porsche to its most successful privateer sportscar competitor in the world.
First assigned in 1970, privateer Porsche racers competing internationally earn points based on their results and the strength of each series they race in. Sportscar legends Bob Wollek, Klaus Ludwig and Bernd Schneider are among the past winners.
At the annual Porsche awards night in Weissach, Germany, Davison was crowned the 2008 winner and received the keys to his prize, a new Porsche 911 Turbo. The accolade comes after Davison’s impressive year, which included time in the European Le Mans Series, American Le Mans Series and FIA GT Championship behind the wheel of Porsche’s 911 GT3 RSR.
Since relocating to Europe in March, Melbourne-born Davison has raced in nine different countries, at 14 different circuits and in six different championships.
Davison, 29, finished second in the GT2 class in the European Le Mans Series, was second in class in the Sebring 12 Hour, contested the 24 Hours of Le Mans and won GT2 on debut in the FIA GT Championship, during his busy year.
