MARTIN Meadows has been voted the BTRDA Driver of the Year.

Meadows, who was pipped for the Gold Star title on the final round, collected the surprise award at the championship's annual awards evening in Sutton Coldfield.

"I couldn't believe it when they read my name out, " said Martin, who was due to collect his trophy as runner-up.

"This has been a great year, and dominating the class for 1600cc cars the way we have, has been fantastic.

"Better than that, though, was the chance to win the Gold Star. We were right in there fighting for the title until the final round."

Martin and co-driver Ian Oakey lost out in the championship race to Nik Elsmore, whose Nissan Sunny had a telling 70bhp advantage over the Clitheroe driver's Proton Compact.

BTRDA chairman Mike Broad paid tribute to their performance this year.

He said: "To drive a 1600cc car into a championship-winning position the way he has was phenomenal. "It made it one of the most exciting seasons we've ever had, and if Martin's car had been as powerful as Nik's, there would have been only one result."

Added Martin: "Winning the Rally Driver of the Year award is a tremendous fillip for the end of the year, I've felt that I have been driving as well as ever this season, but when a totally impartial group of people get together and decide the same, it does you a power of good.

"None of this would have been possible without the help of a lot of people, and this award is as much for them as me. I certainly couldn't have done it without their input."

And Meadows is planning a return to the BTRDA Gold Star for the Millennium - starting the new campaign as deserved favourite for the title.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.