No, your device is fine. Autointerests had their awards banquet for the 2021 & 2022 seasons on Feb 26, 2023. These banquets are always a great time, so I always make it to them when I can. I tried live streaming this one for the main events, and apparently coverage was top notch! “Network enhancement fee” money well spent. These are screenshots from the live stream. They’re low quality enough, I don’t think I’m going to watermark them. If you steal them, don’t worry. I’ll know they’re mine.
Anyway, I’ve gone to these since 2015 where we met Bill Caswell and his $500 BMW WRC Mexico story and prank calls happened later in the weekend. There’s been a few other honorable names to guest speak in the past as well. I remember Randy Pobst being there for one of them as well.
The banquet begins
This one lacked a guest speaker, but the catered tacos were excellent! Everything started off with the Spec Panther (spec time trials for the P71 Crown Vic) guys holding a meeting to discuss rule sets for the year before the actual banquet began. Once everyone was in and settled, food went around and the first round of trivia began. Did you know Volkswagen has a part number for sausages they feed the factory workers? I still have to order some of those.
Awards
Trivia then got broken up with awards and instructor advancements. There were 2 years worth that went out. The notable award is always the Todd Zavodney Excellence Award. Todd was a lead instructor for the group that suffered an untimely passing due to an aggressive form of cancer and was highly impactful on the organization during his time there. Steve was the first winner of the award.
Phil Rosenberg was the second individual given the award.
Todd stories usually accompany the award, and we got to hear one of an unacceptable lack of pickles (ok, it wasn’t just the pickles.) My story of hitting an oil slick on the front stretch of Mid-Ohio and Todd doing some sleuthing to track the bottle back to a Viper in one of the garages was told as well. Literal Mario Kart banana peel action.
More Trivia
Round 2 of trivia followed with tougher questions and bonus points. One of the questions was how many stars were in Subaru’s logo, which of course Jon knew, and he ended up winning. I think I need no further evidence this was all rigged. I rest my case. Congrats Jon and Steve!
Overall it was a day well spent and it was great meeting some new people by teaming up with them for trivia, and catching up with friends I’ve had for years all the same. Thank you to those who had contributed toward arranging everything and making another memorable banquet!
back to News