Australian official Roger Chirnside has been recognised by the FIA with the honour of the Outstanding Official of the Year Award.
The 72-year-old from Victoria was bestowed the honour after being selected from an array of international officials.
The award pays tribute to exceptionally long and dedicated careers as officials in motor sport.
Chirnside will receive the award at the glamorous FIA Prize Giving Ceremony in Paris, France early next month.
“I feel very proud and a little bit humble to be thought of, to be able to receive this award and with it a great degree of excitement as well… there’s a lot of emotions running around at the moment so I’m very honoured,” said Chirnside.
“I believe it’s probably a fulfilment of everything I’ve done. Although one doesn’t be a volunteer with any thoughts of recognition, I’m enormously proud that I belong to first of all CAMS and to the fact that I’m Australian and well just the whole thing it’s just amazing.”
Starting his officiating career as a crowd control official at Sandown in 1966, Chirnside worked his way up as a flag marshal to then sector marshalling, to now being a valued member of the CAMS International Training Team.
Chirnside also touched on some of his favourite moments in his rich officiating career.
“Probably the first Formula 1 Grand Prix in Adelaide in 1985. The thrill of actually seeing those cars rather than seeing them on television was something I will never forget,” Chirnside added.
“Also my first trip overseas to officiate at the Le Mans 24 Hour, which was a huge thrill… I had a small CAMS badge on my overalls, which everyone wanted to know what it was so I was very proud of that.”
“The Grand Prix is the icing on the cake but every little meeting there is still the same thrill of being part of that and seeing people out there who are enjoying the thrill of it all.”
Chirnside now joins fellow CAMS officials Dr Brent May, Belinda Taylor, Adrian Stafford, Ewan Cole, Dr Rik Hagen, Steve Chopping and Dr Michelle Gatton as recipients of FIA officials awards.
VIDEO: Australian official to be awarded FIA award
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