The Andalusian Automobile Federation held its annual Gala of Andalusian Champions in Macael on Saturday; an annual event which this year has chosen the province of Almeria to recognise the best regional drivers and co-drivers, as well as the work of clubs and officials who stood out during the past 2022 season.
The event, which was attended by more than half a thousand people and chaired by the highest representative of Andalusian motor racing, Manuel Alonso and the Mayor of Macael, Raúl Martínez, was also attended by authorities such as the Vice-President of the Royal Spanish Motor Racing Federation, José Vicente Medina; the Provincial Deputy for Sports of the Almería Provincial Council, José Antonio García Alcaína; the Regional Government of Andalusia’s Regional Delegate for Sports in Almería, José Ángel Vélez; the regional delegate for Industrial Policy and Energy of the Junta de Andalucía, Guillermo Casquet; Alfonso Escribano Del Vando, president of the CAFD (Andalusian Confederation of Sports Federations); Sebastián Plaza Mellinas, president of the Federación Murciana de Automovilismo; as well as mayors from various municipalities in the province of Almería where motor racing events are organised and media specialised in the motor racing sector from all over the country.
In total, more than 170 awards were presented to the winners of the 14 regional competitions which formed part of last year’s calendar on the great night of Andalusian motor racing. The FAA also took advantage of the event to distinguish personalities and institutions from the world of motor racing for their work in favour of the sport in Andalusia.
Thus, the Escudería del Mármol received plaques of recognition for the organisation of the Best Mountain Race 2022 for the 46th Subida a Macael, an award that was collected by its president, Ana Belén Tapia; the CD Villaviciosa MotorSport for the I Rallye Valle del Guadiato, which was collected by its president Rafael Madueño; and the Escudería KRS Kids Racing School, which was collected by its president Juan Sánchez.
In the same way the Andalusian Federation paid tribute to the best Andalusian sportsmen and women who last season won Spanish Championship titles. Thus, the co-driver from Almeria, Osel Román, received his distinction as co-driver winner of the Clío Trophy Spain 2022; the 18 year old from Cordoba, Isidro Callejashizo, as Spanish TC Champion; the 16 year old Marco Aguilera, from Malaga, as winner of the Spanish Touring Car Championship; Salvador España and Miriam Antelo, also from Malaga, were the new Spanish Junior Dirt Rally Champions; Javier Burillo and Raquel Cecilia Jimena were the Spanish Off-Road Regularity Champions; Rafael Muñoz Cámar as winner of the Dakar Classic 22 in the truck category; and Francisco José Ávila Martínez, from Macael, was the Spanish SIM-Rally Champion.
Although for sporting reasons they could not be present at the gala, the national titles in the Spanish Karting Championship 2022 were awarded to Aarón García from Malaga in the Junior category; to Iván González from Marbella as best rookie in the Mini category or to Abraham Schelvis from Granada in `Academy’.
The event closed with the distinctions awarded to FAA official Ignacio Campos Luque, to Juan Ángel Ruiz Fernández for the promotion of Karting in Almería; to the director-manager of the specialised magazine Autohebdo Sport, Gabriel Alonso Sabarino; to the Malaga journalist Alejandro Triviño; to the company Servicios Sanitarios U24; to the owner of the Almería Circuit José Antonio García ‘Nono’ and finally to Alberto Dorsch, manager of the Toyota Kobe Motor dealership.
The City Council of Macael for its close collaboration in the organisation of the event, and the Regional Government of Andalusia’s Department of Sports, an award withdrawn by the territorial delegate in Almeria, were also recognised by the Andalusian motor racing family.
Award winners from Almeria
Among the long list of award winners from Almeria last night were the co-driver who won the 2022 Andalusian Asphalt Rally Championship, the vicar Alejandro Leseduarte; or the eight times champion of the speciality José Antonio Aznar, this year third in the CARA. Another Automóvil Club de Almería driver, Antonio Molina, was also recognised at the gala as the winner of the Andalusian Rally-Cronos 2022 Championship.
Other local drivers also received recognition, such as Osel Román, who this year was proclaimed winner of the Clío Trophy Spain together with Miguel García from Murcia; or the 18 year old Hugo García, junior winner of the Andalusian Circuit Championship and champion of the 600 c.c. Cup. 600 c.c. In addition, the Macaelense Francisco José Ávila Martínez, champion of the Spanish Asphalt Rally Championship in SIMRALLYE was also awarded in this ‘Gala de Campeones 2022’ by the highest sports body of Andalusian motorsport.