MOUNT Gambier sprintcar racer Steven Lines was honoured Saturday night by Speedway Australia as its Sportsperson of the Year.
It was a huge achievement for Lines, who has been at the pointy end of the sprintcar field for many years.
In the recent season he achieved his second World Series Sprintcars title, in a battle with Kerry Madsen which came down to the final lap of the final race.
Originally Lines’s team – Horrell Motorsport – had no plans to compete in every round of the series, but that soon changed as Lines remained in contention, winning Speedweek then remaining close to the lead until the finals in Perth.
That was the catalyst for the honour, which Lines said was pleasing.
“I was happy first to get nominated and then to get the award,” he said.
“I did not think I was worthy of it from my side, but obviously they thought we were.
“It was good for everyone involved.
“Obviously they put me up in lights, but it is the whole team, the whole deal.”
Speaking to Lines it was clear the team effort was the big factor in his WSS title.
He said once the team decided to commit, the remainder of the season panned out well.
“We never planned to do the full World Series, but we put ourselves in a position where we had to make a decision,” Lines said.
“It ended up paying off.
“We went over west and we were pretty decent in Perth.
“It made the whole trip worth it.”
Again Lines acknowledged his team for providing the platform he needed to achieve his goal.
“I was pretty happy with everyone who put in the effort, all the boys for the work they have done,” he said.
“Throughout the year we had ups and down, but stood up when we had to.
“It is one of those sports that can bring you down pretty quick, so to get back up and do what we did, I think it was a huge achievement.
“I am more proud of that than anything else.”
However, even with a good car, Lines still had to fight off Madsen for the title.
Lines said it was a tough prospect heading to Perth for the final.
“It was hard racing and it was mentally tough too,” he said.
“He is one of those guys who have been around for ever and every time he hits the track he can bang out a lap.
“He always keeps the pressure on, so you just have to hold yourself together.
“I think a lot of people might have doubted us towards the end – they probably thought he was going to run away with it.
“We had good car speed so just had to make it happen.
“I have always been pretty good over in the west, but anything could have happened.
“We just put ourselves in a position to have a chance and it all panned out well.”
Apart from his own award, Lines said it was pleasing to be at the same table as Bill Barrows when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“It was a huge achievement for Bill and well deserved,” he said.
“It was good to be there and share that with him.
“All the work and effort he has put in was rewarded.
“I did not get to see him race a lot, but have seen the aftermath of what he has done for our speedway and others.
“He loves speedway and puts his heart and soul into it, which is half the reason he has been inducted.
“I am a big fan of the Hall of Fame.
“Blokes who have raced their whole life have paved the way for others to come through and should be recognised.”
