Motor Press Guild 2013 Dean Batchelor Awards

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• published: 03 Jan 2014
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— Story by Brad Nelson; photos by Myles Regan Peter BrockPeter Brock took home the Big Prize from MPG's 19th annual celebration of excellence in automotive journalism, capturing the Dean Batchelor Award for his new book, "Corvette Sting Ray: Genesis of an American Icon," in front of an appreciative audience at the Petersen Automotive Museum on December 10, 2013. Brock's latest work also won Best Book of the Year. The ceremonies began with Best Book of the Year, presented by Eric Dahlquist, Sr. who presided over the judging panel with Larry Crane and David Woodhouse. In addition to Brock's book, two more made the finalist grade: Tyler Alexander's "McLaren from the Inside," and "The Cars of Vel Miletich and Parnelli Jones" by Jim Dilamarter and Ren Wicks, Jr. Dahlquist shared some of the judge's comments on all the books but those for "Genesis" were telling: "A real page turner." "The characterization of people like Bill Mitchell were spot on." "Picture selection and illustrations were perfect." Harold Osmer and Harry PallenbergNext up, Peter Starr presented the Best Audio/Visual of the Year award. Starr was head judge of the class with help from co-judges Steve Heuer and Tyler Purcell. The finalists were, "Where They Raced: Speed Demons in the City of Angels" by Harold Osmer and Harry Pallenberg (pictured at right); "2013 Tesla Model S Review - L.A. to Vegas the Hard Way" by Micah Muzio and Michael Delano for KBB.com; and "Jeff Zwart - Pike's Peak International Hill Climb 2013" by Will Roegge. Osmer and Pallenberg's film about racing in Los Angeles took the prize. Said Starr, "It is an engrossing and well-produced film about a subject which appears to have been lost and buried in the ever-expanding metropolis of Los Angeles. For a car guy who is a lover of racing and fascinated with history, it's engaging and will teach you something about the genesis of racing history in Los Angeles." Myles ReganMPG's "unofficial official" photographer, Myles Regan (pictured at left), presented the Best Photograph of the Year. Mark Elias and Ed Justice, Jr. also judged. Three finalists vied for the award: "Time's Up" by Bob Chapman, published in Porsche Panorama; "Dicing with Giants: Aston Martin GT4" by Robert Kerian, published in Road & Track; and "Frozen in Time" by Randy Wells, published in Porsche Panorama. Chapman took the prize for his photo of a Porsche GT, which Regan described: "As photographers, we know how tough it can be to get an image of a race car that we haven't seen, and Bob's image of a Porsche GT through the trees is a fresh example of a competitor at speed. This image really tells a story and reinforced the narrative." Mark Vaughn and Rex ParkerThe Best Article of the Year finalists covered a broad spectrum and MPG's Aaron Gold led the judging panel, ably supported by Mark Vaughn and Zach Bowman. Vaughn presented the award in his inimitable style, elevating the already lively mood. "Anyone that is selected to be a judge for the Dean Batchelor Award must first of all have not been nominated," said Vaughn. "I'm not hurt that my own 'Hyundai Elantra Mid-Cycle Refresh' was not chosen." No worries, Mr. Vaughn—there were some very worthy finalists for Best Article: "GM's Road Not Taken" by Robert Cumberford, published in Automobile magazine; "How Honda Hustled to Redo Civic" by Mark Rechtin, published in Automotive News; and "Theater of the Absurd" by Pete Stout, published in Porsche Panorama. After all the "Best Of" winners were announced, more levity ensued when ace ventriloquist and comedian Jeff Dunham took the stage. Dunham began with a photo retrospective of some favorite cars from his past and present, revealing a notably eclectic love for the automobile. The passion had to start somewhere and the Bradley GT was it for Dunham. Other favorites included the second-generation Batmobile and a '71 Mercury Marquis that went particularly well with his light blue prom tux back in the day. "Some of these crap cars, they have souls," noted Dunham. Indeed. After his crazy car tour, the master of speaking without moving lips and his prickly buddy Walter gave their own rendition of "The Night Before Christmas." Santa may have cringed a little but a hoot was had by all. The Dean Batchelor Award presentation was the last of the evening and Brock's outstanding work had three tough competitors to overcome. It wasn't easy to choose a winner but head DBA judge Jason Fogelson and his panel, Preston Lerner and Tara Weingarten, found inspiration: "We tried to channel our inner Dean Bachelor. We took the word "excellence" very seriously and we applied it rigorously to each of the four MPG Best of the Year category winners." Ultimately, "one work clearly stood out for us," he said. Congratulations Peter, and to all the Best of the Year winners! We look forward to more great automotive journalism in 2014.

Motor Press Guild 2013 Dean Batchelor Awards

• Report rights infringement
• published: 03 Jan 2014
• views: 154

— Story by Brad Nelson; photos by Myles Regan Peter BrockPeter Brock took home the Big Prize from MPG's 19th annual celebration of excellence in automotive journalism, capturing the Dean Batchelor Award for his new book, "Corvette Sting Ray: Genesis of an American Icon," in front of an appreciative audience at the Petersen Automotive Museum on December 10, 2013. Brock's latest work also won Best Book of the Year. The ceremonies began with Best Book of the Year, presented by Eric Dahlquist, Sr. who presided over the judging panel with Larry Crane and David Woodhouse. In addition to Brock's book, two more made the finalist grade: Tyler Alexander's "McLaren from the Inside," and "The Cars of Vel Miletich and Parnelli Jones" by Jim Dilamarter and Ren Wicks, Jr. Dahlquist shared some of the judge's comments on all the books but those for "Genesis" were telling: "A real page turner." "The characterization of people like Bill Mitchell were spot on." "Picture selection and illustrations were perfect." Harold Osmer and Harry PallenbergNext up, Peter Starr presented the Best Audio/Visual of the Year award. Starr was head judge of the class with help from co-judges Steve Heuer and Tyler Purcell. The finalists were, "Where They Raced: Speed Demons in the City of Angels" by Harold Osmer and Harry Pallenberg (pictured at right); "2013 Tesla Model S Review - L.A. to Vegas the Hard Way" by Micah Muzio and Michael Delano for KBB.com; and "Jeff Zwart - Pike's Peak International Hill Climb 2013" by Will Roegge. Osmer and Pallenberg's film about racing in Los Angeles took the prize. Said Starr, "It is an engrossing and well-produced film about a subject which appears to have been lost and buried in the ever-expanding metropolis of Los Angeles. For a car guy who is a lover of racing and fascinated with history, it's engaging and will teach you something about the genesis of racing history in Los Angeles." Myles ReganMPG's "unofficial official" photographer, Myles Regan (pictured at left), presented the Best Photograph of the Year. Mark Elias and Ed Justice, Jr. also judged. Three finalists vied for the award: "Time's Up" by Bob Chapman, published in Porsche Panorama; "Dicing with Giants: Aston Martin GT4" by Robert Kerian, published in Road & Track; and "Frozen in Time" by Randy Wells, published in Porsche Panorama. Chapman took the prize for his photo of a Porsche GT, which Regan described: "As photographers, we know how tough it can be to get an image of a race car that we haven't seen, and Bob's image of a Porsche GT through the trees is a fresh example of a competitor at speed. This image really tells a story and reinforced the narrative." Mark Vaughn and Rex ParkerThe Best Article of the Year finalists covered a broad spectrum and MPG's Aaron Gold led the judging panel, ably supported by Mark Vaughn and Zach Bowman. Vaughn presented the award in his inimitable style, elevating the already lively mood. "Anyone that is selected to be a judge for the Dean Batchelor Award must first of all have not been nominated," said Vaughn. "I'm not hurt that my own 'Hyundai Elantra Mid-Cycle Refresh' was not chosen." No worries, Mr. Vaughn—there were some very worthy finalists for Best Article: "GM's Road Not Taken" by Robert Cumberford, published in Automobile magazine; "How Honda Hustled to Redo Civic" by Mark Rechtin, published in Automotive News; and "Theater of the Absurd" by Pete Stout, published in Porsche Panorama. After all the "Best Of" winners were announced, more levity ensued when ace ventriloquist and comedian Jeff Dunham took the stage. Dunham began with a photo retrospective of some favorite cars from his past and present, revealing a notably eclectic love for the automobile. The passion had to start somewhere and the Bradley GT was it for Dunham. Other favorites included the second-generation Batmobile and a '71 Mercury Marquis that went particularly well with his light blue prom tux back in the day. "Some of these crap cars, they have souls," noted Dunham. Indeed. After his crazy car tour, the master of speaking without moving lips and his prickly buddy Walter gave their own rendition of "The Night Before Christmas." Santa may have cringed a little but a hoot was had by all. The Dean Batchelor Award presentation was the last of the evening and Brock's outstanding work had three tough competitors to overcome. It wasn't easy to choose a winner but head DBA judge Jason Fogelson and his panel, Preston Lerner and Tara Weingarten, found inspiration: "We tried to channel our inner Dean Bachelor. We took the word "excellence" very seriously and we applied it rigorously to each of the four MPG Best of the Year category winners." Ultimately, "one work clearly stood out for us," he said. Congratulations Peter, and to all the Best of the Year winners! We look forward to more great automotive journalism in 2014.