By Bill Oldroyd

Once again, an SOS regular has been nominated for an international award.  We are pleased to announce that the 2004 SOS Champion, Cody Geldart of Mossley has been nominated for the prestigious National Sprint Car Poll 360 Rookie of the Year Award.  This is a significant award that is presented to the rookie sprint car driver across North America in the 360 category who has demonstrated excellence and whose accomplishments were outstanding.

Geldart had a dream season in 2004.  Not only did he capture the SOS Series Title, he won his first ever sprint car feature and backed it up with four more wins during the season.  Consistency is key to winning any championship and Geldart sure proved this by finishing in the top five in twelve of the fifteen SOS points races.  This would be considered excellent by anyones standards.  But when you take into account that he is only sixteen years old, this shows a level of maturity well beyond his years.

Not only did Geldart have a stellar year with the SOS, he also competed internationally.  In February, Geldart, along with Glenn Styres from Ohsweken made the trip to Florida to compete in the 360 Winternationals.  Geldart, Styres and Warren Mahoney from Lefroy were also invited to compete at Knoxville in the Brobix Tournament of Champions.  In a field of over sixty of the best 360 drivers from around the world, Geldart qualified for the “A-Main” and finished a very respectable twelfth.

During the past five years, SOS drivers have been nominated four times for the National Sprint Car 360 Rookie of the Year Award which is a real tribute to our club.  Keith Dempster from Alton was nominated in 2000; Billy Krull of Wheatfield NY was nominated and selected as a co-winner in 2002; and last year, Kyle Patrick from Tilbury joined this group.

Congratulations to Geldart on his nomination!  Receiving international recognition is a very special honor indeed, and speaks well for the caliber of drivers who compete on a regular basis with the SOS.