Asian Motor Sports

A1 Team New Zealand’s driver Matt Halliday has achieved one of New Zealand motorsports highest honours when he was awarded the Jim Clark Trophy during the Motorsport Awards dinner, in Auckland, on Saturday night. Halliday has always hoped his name would one day be added to the trophy which is highly regarded worldwide.

The Trophy was instigated in the memory of the popular Scottish double Formula One Champion, Jim Clark who was a regular visitor to New Zealand and won the Tasman Championship in 1965, 1967 and 1968. Unfortunately he was killed during a Formula Two race in Germany in April 1968. Recipients of the Award must have competed at a National or higher level and showed a sportsmanlike attitude while “Putting up the most meritorious racing performance during the season.”

Halliday has certainly fulfilled that criteria over the past season by helping guide A1 TEAM.NZL to fourth place overall in the inaugural A1GP Series, the World Cup of Motorsport.

“In receiving this trophy I feel rather humbled when perusing the list of former winners. I’ve given New Zealand motor racing 110% on and off the track and will always continue to do so.

I am indebted to all the people who have helped me throughout my career, in particular Grant Baker and Shane McKillen and over the last 12 months, Colin Giltrap and the guys at A1 TEAM.NZL. I also thank Porsche New Zealand, Glenn Cotterill and International Motorsports for their contribution to the Porsche GT3 campaign.”

Halliday said after the prize giving ceremony.