The first of December was an unbelievable night at the Salle des Etoiles in Monaco, Monte Carlo. The third edition of the FIM Off-Road Awards was a superb celebration where all the Off-Road World and European Champions received their prize after an extremely tough but successful season of racing.
All the authors of this fantastic 2007 season were given a prize representing the reward of their hard work. The riders, the Federations and the organizers played a very important role this year, cooperating with Youthstream, FIM and UEM in the organisation of a superb season of sport.
Kawasaki’s Katherine Prumm was present to accept her award for Women Motocross World Cup winner 2007. Katherine Prumm is becoming a big name in the sport, as it’s her second award in a row on the Molson Kawasaki KX250F.
There was this year also a new award created by Youthstream President Giuseppe Luongo. After the sad passing of Jan de Groot, earlier this year, Giuseppe created a special award to keep the name of Jan de Groot for always in the sport that he loved so much. Jan was known for his professionalism, kindness but also in discovering young talented riders. For that reason the “Jan de Groot Award” was created for the most talented young rider in the FIM Motocross World Championship. Tommy Searle was the first to win the Jan de Groot award, which was handed over by Jan’s wife Ellen de Groot – Van Veen.
Steve Guttridge - Kawasaki’s European Racing Co-ordinator enthused: “Katherine did another great job for us this season on the Molson Kawasaki and we applaud her efforts with Kawasaki for the progression of the sport for women both on and off the bike.”
Steve Guttridge continued: “I’m also so glad that Youthstream created this young talent award in the memory of Jan. It’s perfect for what he was famously admired for. He knew how well Tommy Searle had been nurtured through the Team Green youth system and I remember that he could clearly see his riding talent from the first time they met so I’m sure he would have agreed the nomination and been proud for Ellen to present it.”
