BDN Industry Awards
Pictures: Mark Manning
AWARDS 2013
TROOPER SMITH
SHOCK
with a standing ovation when he went on stage to receive the British Dealer News Lifetime Achievement Award. The presentation took place at the annual BDN Industry Awards
I
ceremony, held at the Holiday Inn Hotel, next to Birmingham Airport, on Sunday 20 January, on the evening of the EXPO show’s first day at the NEC, Birmingham. Delighted to be recognised for his contribution to the industry, this seasoned dealer, who took up road racing in 1953, would never let such an occasion get the better of him. He went straight into character by heavily criticising the way riders are poorly rewarded at some race events. Members of the audience, who
were perhaps expecting a more ‘corporate’ and conventional response, were shocked at first, but this quickly turned to admiration when they realised the four times Isle of Man TT winner had the riders’ best interests at heart (read his views on page 19). During the evening eight major awards and five merit
Essex comedian Ian Irving has the audience in stitches.
awards were presented by BDN editor Brian Crichton, who started proceedings with a review of 2012. The awards ceremony was hosted by BDN’s Graham Sanderson as Master of Ceremonies. Following the awards, the audience was entertained by Essex comedian Ian Irving, who proved to be a very popular turn. A feature on Bill Smith appeared in the December 2009 edition of British Dealer News. Full list of winners overleaf
rascible, irrepressible, indomitable, outspoken, and a man who has achieved so much in the bike world – that’s Chester dealer Bill Smith, 77 (right). His accomplishments, spanning 60 years, were acknowledged
Above: Lifetime Achievement Award winner Bill Smith was the fi rst to import Honda (1960) and sold a record 3280 Hondas in 1978. He raced bikes from 1953 to 2002. Below: Awards presenters Graham Sanderson (left) and Brian Crichton.
46 MARCH 2013
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72