Last weekend saw the SRO Motorsports Group hold its annual awards night, which this year took place in Venice, Italy.
Alongside the champions in GT World Challenge Europe and Asia, Intercontinental GT Challenge, the 24 Hours of Spa, and SRO’s other European and Asian championships, multiple personnel were recognised through the organisation’s special awards.
The Allan Simonsen Award, presented to a British GT driver who embodies the speed and spirit of the Dane, was presented to GT3 drivers’ champion Kiern Jewiss, who triumphed alongside Charles Dawson for 2 Seas Motorsport in his rookie campaign.
“It’s been a rollercoaster two years, so to stand here at the end of it all as British GT champion and the Allan Simonsen Award winner is a little bit surreal,” Jewiss said. See Mo Rehman’s story on Kiern on DSC later today.
“A lot of previous recipients – and there are some amazing names on the list – knew, raced against or were friends with Allan, but I was only 10 when he lost his life at Le Mans.
“To be honest, it’s not something that I remember happening, but everyone I’ve spoken to speaks very highly of him, and he was obviously a legend in the British GT paddock. So yes, I’m very proud to join the list of winners, and hopefully – like the GT3 title – it’s something I can defend next year.”
Ajith Kumar won the Philippe Charriol Award, which is given to an outstanding amateur driver. Actor Kumar contested the GT4 European Series this year, displaying both passion and sportsmanship whilst exposing the series to his significant fanbase.
19-year-old Gaspard Simon won the inaugural SRO GT Academy for his performance in the FFSA French GT Championship, and as such has received funding towards a GT World Challenge Europe programme next year.
Another new award was the GT World Challenge Promoters Award, which was given to Zou Sirui for their work on GT World Challenge Asia’s Beijing round. The series’ maiden street-circuit event drew an attendance of over 30,000, the largest in series history.
SRO’s American and Australian series will host their own award shows at a later date, ahead of the commencement of SRO’s 2026 season at February’s Bathurst 12 Hour.
Images courtesy of SRO
