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TPS Awards Dinner Held


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TPS Awards Dinner Held

 

Texas Pro Sedans mark their 38th Anniversary

 

The 2013 Texas Pro Sedans Series annual Awards Dinner was held at the Little Red Barn in San Antonio on Saturday evening, January 11th. The TPS Awards Dinner was held in the North Room which was filled with a large turnout of 61 Texas Pro Sedans drivers and their families, crew members, TPS officials, TPS sponsors and TPS fans who attended the season ending event. The TPS Awards Dinner was co-hosted by TPS Race Director & Chief Inspector David Mackey and TPS Publications Office Director Neil Upchurch.

 

During the Awards Dinner, 2013 Texas Pro Sedans Champion Sergio Hexsel of San Antonio received his fifth TPS Champions Plaque. It was presented by 2012 TPS Champion James Hogan. In his acceptance remarks, Hexsel sincerely thanked Merrell Racing Team Owner George Merrell and the crew and expressed his appreciation for their help in winning his fifth Texas Pro Sedans title. Hexsel expressed his appreciation to his wife Laura, and the #70h VW Scirocco sponsors for their support.

 

Jeff Meeks was the 2013 Texas Pro Sedans “Rookie of the Year”. His award Plaque was presented by TPS Race Director David Mackey.

 

Sergio Hexsel, Jeff Meeks and TPS Charter Member Mike Knotts were recognized for service to the Texas Pro Sedans

and received embroidered Hoosier racing jackets. The jackets were provided by TPS sponsor Tom Lorenz, President of Hoosier Racing Tires Southwest and presented by Central Texas Speedway TPS Hoosier Tire dealer Jerry Spencer.

 

For their 100% race participation during the 2013 season, cash awards were presented to TPS drivers #10m - Bruce Mabrito, #25 - J.J. Osburn III, #82 - Sterling Beck, #29 - Johnny Guerra and #70h - Sergio Hexsel.

 

Past TPS Champions attending the TPS Awards Dinner were recognized. They were Sergio Hexsel, Mike Merrell, Neil Upchurch, James Hogan and Paul Jett.

 

David Mackey presented a narrative summary recalling the 2013, 38th consecutive TPS racing season. He thanked Central Texas Speedway owner Tim Self, Dan and Kandy Monroe the Operators of CC Speedway and the Officials of San Antonio Speedway for hosting a total of nine 2013 TPS races.

 

Paul Jett, Bill Bailes and Neil Upchurch composed a panel of three veteran TPS drivers. They were the keynote speakers at the annual TPS Awards Dinner and answered questions from the audience, compared TPS to other motorsports events in their racing careers, told interesting stories about the 24 Hour races at the Autodromo of Monterrey in Mexico and related several humorous antidotes.

 

TPS Driver, Bruce Mabrito delivered his annual cleverly written TPS post season “Ode”. This year, Mabrito concentrated his presentation on reviewing the 2013 Texas Pro Sedans Series racing season. (Bruce's "ODE" is posted below)

 

Unique Sponsor Star Appreciation Awards plaques were presented to principle Texas Pro Sedans sponsor Patrick Limerick, owner of Janet's Cakery in Corpus Christi, Johnny Guerra of Guerra’s Lawn Service, Corpus Christi and to TPS Scales and purse sponsor George Merrell of Kingsland, TX. (Mr. Limerick and Mr. Guerra were unable to attend. Their awards will be presented at the first TPS Driver’s Meeting). Also recognized were Tom Lorenz of Hoosier Racing Tires Southwest and Jerry Spencer (CTS Hoosier Tires at Kyle), A-Line Auto Parts, Austin, Mabrito Motorsports and Buggy Warehouse, San Antonio, Charysse and Mike Knotts of 1518 Graphics in Schertz, Texas and Vinod Shah of Travelodge Airport Motel in Corpus Christi.

 

TPS officials receiving TPS Appreciation bonus checks were Race Director, David Mackey and Publications Director, Neil Upchurch

 

2013 TPS Officials who received recognition certificates were Pit Stewards, Jack Foy, Mike Merrell, James Hogan, Bill Jordan and Pit Assistants, Becky Mackey, Heather Mackey, Carol Merrell, George Merrell, Tory Christopher, Mary Markley, Lanny Young, Dawn Riley and Statistics Assistant, Laura Hexsel.

 

The season ending 2013 Texas Pro Sedans Series annual Awards Dinner was concluded with a TPS member business meeting. David Mackey covered several items requiring member consideration. Mackey also discussed the 2014 TPS nine race schedule with five events at Central Texas Speedway and four races at Corpus Christi Speedway. 2014 Rules and the Race Schedule were hand distributed.

 

For members who didn’t attend, 2014 TPS Rules, 2014 Race Schedule, the 2014 TPS Membership Application form and current TPS Member paid status is available on www.TexasProSedans.com

 

With the large member attendance at the TPS Awards Dinner, a proper finishing touch was put on the 2013, 38th and consecutive Texas Pro Sedans Series season. TPS will initiate their 39th March of 2014.

 

The TPS business meeting was adjourned by TPS Race Director & Chief Inspector David Mackey.

 

 

Notes: Tory Christopher has provided numerous outstanding photos of persons attending the TPS Awards Dinner. They are posted next.

 

A Video presentation by Mike Knotts is posted as a reply at the bottom of this article.

 

This report was written for Speed Zone & TPS website posting by the TPS Publications Office Director.

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Tory Christopher captured the moment with his camera.

 

Thanks for the complete coverage Tory.

 

Mike Knotts' video documentation of the TPS Awards Dinner is posted next on this topic.

 

Thanks to Mike Knotts and Tory Christopher for all the different views and coverage .

 

 

This reply was written for Speed Zone posting by the TPS Publications Office Director.

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And here is the written version of Bruce's annual Ode:


CELEBRATING OUR 38TH SEASON OF TEXAS PRO SEDAN RACING !


By Bruce Mabrito


We’re here to celebrate our 38th


As we look into our rear-view mirrors with good reason.


We raced fast and furious turning left on three entirely different oval tracks,


And Texas rain never fell on us this year to make us look like slippery hacks!


As the Texas Pro Sedan member organization, we all sit and stand and yell THANKS and say


To Corpus Christi Speedway, Central Texas Speedway and San Antonio Speedway,


That we REALLY VALUE THEM, their efforts, and their different managements


Throughout the 2013 TPS racing season, always appreciating their ladies and gents!


Those of us who have raced at numerous tracks over the many years,


Really like the different layouts, different speeds, and different cheers!


And unless something really super-special gets underway and moving very quickly afoot,


Most of us at this Texas Pro Sedan 38th


Each of us sitting here today, from the bottom of our hearts, our toolboxes and each engine bay,


Sincerely THANK the managements of Corpus Christi Speedway and Central Texas Speedway!


Also, each of the Texas Pro Sedan DRIVERS, CREWS and TEAMS


Graciously and seriously thanks the TPS management in multiple reams!


Now, to our 2013 Texas Pro Sedan Champion in that quick No. 70 Scirocco, Sergio Hexsel,


Who easily took the 38th


Sergio won—incredibly—count them, SIX of our nine total TPS races,


And frankly some of us need to understand from where he pulls those aces.


CONGRATULATIONS to Sergio and everyone on his adept racing team,


They always showed up well-prepared, with mucho-quick racing steam!


And now, to our friendly Rookie-of-the-2013 TPS season, Jeff Meeks,


Who finished second in the championship and is no computer Geek!


Jeff consistently drove his wide No. 5 Ford into those left-hand corners deep,


And he is always so helpful to us when we have a problem and to Jeff we seek!


Twenty-eight different drivers scored points in the Texas Pro Sedan’s 38th


And all of us are pleased that the racing and competition was very well reasoned.


And then, of course, there is that very special classification of TPS thanks and kudos,


And those go to all of our SPONSORS, and each of us THANK THEM with red bows!


Texas Pro Sedan season,


season celebration know that SAS is forever kaput!


TPS season yet again, driving like a crazed Bracken bat out of hell!


season,

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like to see a vw bug back in the winner circle . if anyone can do it it is randy . but randy needs to hurry up that grey hair in starting to sit in good ...and that young man of his will have to take the reins soon ..... speaking of grey hair sure seems a lot of grey in each pic ..lol...sure glad my hair is blond .cough choke .sorry turning white ...

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sergio cant say what way its going to go .the motor is in another car so it is empty under the hood .but loan me a few thousand with 30 years to pay it back and i am sure i can work something out with the owner ...... sorta stayed away from racing after that dirt race .so we are just starting to talk about what we will do this year ..i would love to give kyle another shot .i left a lot on the table when that clutch let go in the last race ...sorta hurts when you know you have the car to beat that weekend and clutch lets go ....dont know if i could ever get the car hooked up like that again maybe one of those nights where the handling was a one time deal .i am sure you know what i mean only comes along once or twice in a life time ..

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