Andy Cottyn Appreciation Trophy

History:

At the annual pre-season press banquet in advance of Western Speedway’s twenty-fifth year of operation in 1978, the track’s founder Andy Cottyn was honoured with a commemorative plaque along with a new award, the “Andy Cottyn Appreciation Trophy”, which would be be given each season to the winner of a special main event. Following it’s awarding in 1990, it was retired to the Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame’s Museum under the Speedway’s grandstands where it resided until the track’s closure in 2022. For the 2023 induction ceremony, the trophy was brought back by the Hall of Fame’s Executive to be given each year to an individual for their commitment to Island auto racing.

2023 winner – Rob Leighton

Rob Leighton always had an undeniable love for the sport of auto racing. Saratoga Speedway was a big part of his life from 1998 through 2008 and when the opportunity came a few years ago, it wasn’t difficult for him to transition back into the world of motorsport with the purchase of the track.

Although he finds that owning a racetrack has it’s challenges, it has been a huge success and Rob truly feels like it is where he and his family are supposed to be.

Rob Leighton was humbled to be chosen as the first recipient in many years of the Andy Cottyn Appreciation Trophy for his commitment to Island auto racing.

2024 winner – Dave Ireland

Dave Ireland has been a part of the racing community for many years starting with his active involvement in 1966. He is now and has been the name behind so much of the information and history of racing on Vancouver Island posted on the Victoria Auto Racing Hall of Fame website and the Hall of Fame Facebook site. The web page was started in 1991.

The racing community is truly grateful to Dave for his dedication and hard work keeping us all up to date on current events and also making us aware of how important the past accomplishments were so that there will always be a future for racing on the Island.