A family deeply woven into Top of the South Speedway was front and centre at the club’s 2025–26 awards night, with long-time competitor Ian Burson receiving the highest honour.
Ian was visibly emotional as he was named Club Sportsperson of the Year at the Milestone Homes Top of the South Speedway awards night held last weekend, capping a demanding and memorable season.
It has been a busy year for the Burson Race Stable, fielding two Super Saloons, two Super Stocks and a Ministock. Ian was joined at Greymouth’s final meeting by son Jack, who was racing his newly acquired Super Saloon. Ian also returned to Super Stock racing in his Higgins car, joining good friend Jason Moir, who has been campaigning the other Super Stock from the shed.
Daughter Aimee raced the Ministock throughout the season, with the team’s new race engine delivering promising results.
Ian has been racing for 26 years, amassing four New Zealand podium placings, three New Zealand Grand Prix titles and seven South Island titles in Super Saloons. Although he has been unable to race that class at his home track in recent years due to low numbers, he travelled extensively across the country this season. He is now looking ahead to the New Zealand Championship returning to Nelson in 2028.
Stock car driver Riley Eathorne was named Club Competitor of the Year and also claimed the Open Club Championship and Best Presented awards. His third placing at the New Zealand Stock Car Championship was the highlight of his season. He also competed at the New Zealand teams event with the Cromwell club and remains part of the Tasman Thunder squad as plans take shape for the coming season.
The Harrop Cup for the person contributing most to the club was awarded to Geoff Watson, whose retirement hours are often spent at the speedway during the week painting, cleaning and tidying. Geoff continues to race his Production Saloon and regularly assists fellow competitors with their cars.
Richard Ross received the Official of the Year award, the Tony Coppell Memorial Tray, in recognition of his work as club captain while also remaining an on-track competitor in the Production Saloon class.
The Nelson Knights were named Team of the Year after a demanding second half of the season. Multiple New Zealand title events, teams racing and club commitments were complicated by ferry crossing issues and rainouts, yet the team still claimed the Teams title in Stratford on a tight turnaround.
Grade Sportsperson awards went to Bailey Bensemann (Quarter Midgets), Scarlett Gray (Ministocks), Taylor Lynch (Streetstocks), Richard Ross (Productions), Gus Dawson (Sprint Cars) and Shane Harwood (Super Stocks).
Stirrer prizes were awarded to Andre Musgrove (Streetstocks), Ben Taylor (Super Stocks) and Kohu Whalon (Stock Cars). Most Improved honours went to Kynan Bezett (T.Q.s), Scarlett Gray (Ministocks), Morgan Wells (Productions) and Blake Stilwell (Quarter Midgets).
Rookie trophies were claimed by Niko Harper (Quarter Midgets) and Conley Webley (T.Q.s), while season points winners were Cort Higgins (Ministocks), Easton Salter (Productions), Blake Stilwell (Quarter Midgets) and Shane Harwood (Super Stocks).
