THE BANQUET (continued)

Next up was the introduction of the newly elected 2006 MTRA Board of Directors.  First the introduction by Doc Riley of this year's new MTRA President, Jeff Bursey!!  Congratulations to Jeff on the new post, and best of luck to him in leading the organization this year.  The rest of the new Board members were also announced.  Directors not pictured include Andy Hoffman, Scott Bryant, and George Eisenhart.

2006 MTRA President Jeff Bursey.

2006 MTRA Chairman of the Board Bob Chandler.

2006 MTRA Safety Director Tim Hall.

2006 MTRA Vice President Bobby Holman.

After the introductions, new President Jeff Bursey gave a short speech about his vision for the MTRA and promised to give his all to do a great job in his new post.  Click below to see video of his speech and hear what he had to say.

Click Here to View the new MTRA President's Speech!!  (4.73 MB)

George Eisenhart was called to the podium next to present awards for the Monster Nationals champion for 2005.

2005 MONSTER NATIONALS CHAMPION

After starting by thanking everyone for voting him onto the Board of Directors, Eisenhart presented the Championship to, you guessed it...Mark Hall and the Raminator team!!  In one of the more humorous parts of the evening, Eisenhart did not have the trophy ready to present to Hall, so he unfurled from inside his sport coat Hall's award...a 2005 MTRA T-shirt!!  Click below to view our video of the award presentation!!

Click Here to View the Award Presentation and Acceptance Speech!!  (2.25 MB)

2005 MTRA DRIVER OF THE YEAR

The first MTRA award to be presented would be the most prestigious of them all.  The 2005 MTRA Driver of the Year Award.  The winner of the Monster Nationals championship and the Special Events Points Series Championship, this year the award would go to Mr. Mark Hall and the Raminator team.  Click below to view our video of the award presentation and acceptance speech!!

Click Here to View the Award Presentation and Acceptance Speech!!  (6.19 MB)

2005 MTRA TRUCK OF THE YEAR

The next award to be presented would be the Truck of the Year award, as voted on by the MTRA membership.  This award would also be received by the Raminator team.  Click below to view our video of the award presentation and acceptance speech!!

Click Here to View the Award Presentation and Acceptance Speech!!  (2.12 MB)

2005 MTRA MOST IMPROVED TEAM OF THE YEAR

With the completion and debut of a great looking new truck over the course of the year, this award would go to Nitemare and Andy Hoffman!!  Click below to view our video of the award presentation and acceptance speech!!

Click Here to View the Award Presentation and Acceptance Speech!!  (2.60 MB)

2005 MTRA ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

There were only two nominees in this category this year, Rick Long and Shane Smith.  The announcement came and it would be Rick Long taking the prize for his accomplishments in Bigfoot #11!! Click below to view our video of the award presentation and acceptance speech!!

Click Here to View the Award Presentation and Acceptance Speech!!  (1.81 MB)

2005 MTRA MECHANIC OF THE YEAR

The winner of this award would be, once again, Roy Hooser of Bigfoot!!  Click below to view our video of the award presentation and acceptance speech!!

Click Here to View the Award Presentation and Acceptance Speech!!  (3.22 MB)

2005 MTRA WEEKEND FROM HELL

After enduring a hellish trip trying to get out of Houston, TX along with most of the rest of the city's population in advance of Hurricane Rita, the Flame Motorsports team also experienced a tough weekend at the show they were competing in, dealing with breakage and other mishaps.  This award was kind of a no doubter after hearing the story, and it was accepted by owner Nels Wickander on behalf of David Smith and Daron Basl.  Click below to view our video of the award presentation and acceptance speech!!

Click Here to View the Award Presentation and Acceptance Speech!!  (2.14 MB)

2005 MTRA SAFETY AWARD

This year's Safety Award would be given to the man who created the Monster Truck, and whose primary concern is keeping the sport safe.  A great choice for this award, Mr. Bob Chandler!!  Click below to view our video of the award presentation and acceptance speech!!

Click Here to View the Award Presentation and Acceptance Speech!!  (1.39 MB)

2005 MTRA SPORTSMANSHIP OF THE YEAR

In my opinion, there couldn't have been a better choice for this next award.  Receiving his second plaque of the night, Andy Hoffman!!  Click below to view our video of the award presentation and acceptance speech!!

Click Here to View the Award Presentation and Acceptance Speech!!  (2.13 MB)

2005 MTRA PROMOTER OF THE YEAR

The only Monster Truck promoter to use only MTRA-certified trucks, George Eisenhart takes this award for his Image Promotions!!  Click below to view our video of the award presentation and acceptance speech!!

Click Here to View the Award Presentation and Acceptance Speech!!  (2.20 MB)

2005 MTRA SPONSOR OF THE YEAR

After seeing how much this sponsor has dedicated itself to helping the MTRA during the meeting, there couldn't have been a better choice.  Congratulations to Vinyl Images for being the 2005 MTRA Sponsor of the Year!!  Click below to view our video of the award presentation and acceptance speech!!

Click Here to View the Award Presentation and Acceptance Speech!!  (1.76 MB)

2005 MTRA LONGEST DISTANCE TRAVELED

Unfortunately I didn't catch this gentleman's name, but this award is given to the person who traveled the furthest distance to attend the MTRA weekend, and having come down all the way from Canada, this man certainly earned this award!!

2005 MTRA JR. MEMBERSHIP AWARD

And finally, the award given to the best driver and truck in the eyes of the MTRA Jr. Membership goes to Dan Runte and Bigfoot #15.  Click below to view our video of the award presentation and acceptance speech!!

Click Here to View the Award Presentation and Acceptance Speech!!  (3.18 MB)

2005 MTRA DOC RILEY RECOGNITION AWARD

Upon finding out that Doc Riley would be stepping down from the Board of Directors following this year, the other MTRA Directors wanted to do something nice for Riley in recognition of all of his work with the MTRA over the years.  Thus, they gave Riley a very special award as a thank you for everything he has contributed.

With all the awards presented and the new Board of Directors announced, there was only one thing left to do...Find out who won the raffle items!!

MORE FROM THE BANQUET!!