The Bill Smith Merit Award was donated by the late Bill Smith – a former Director of the ACU and a former member of the TRC, in the days of Bill Rawlinson, Tony Noel and Colin Sweby.
Bill’s aspirations were that the current ACU Track Racing Committee identify a person who has shown an outstanding contribution to the sport of Track Racing, either during the past season or during the period that have been involved within the sport.
Previous winners of this award include Sally Palmer, John Hiscock (following his retirement from the sport), Alan Whale and Zach Wajtknecht (when he won the FIM Youth World Long Track Crown).
For 2021 the TRC unanimously agreed that the Bill Smith Merit Award should be presented (posthumously) to Steve Brace for his involvement in the sport over many years, both at Club, Centre, National, European and World championship level.
Steve was outstanding for his kind and caring helpful approach to riders, supporters and indeed anyone with an interest in our sport. For this reason he will always remain in our thoughts.
The award has been presented to Steve's son Gary and wife Julie, who accepted the award on Steve's behalf. I am sure you will agree with me and all of the TRC that Steve is a very worthy name to be added to this special award.