The season is over, the race suits have been hung up for a break, and the race cars have been torn to shreds for their next round of upgrades. But there was one more event on the Demon Energy D1NZ calendar, one that required no driving, and the suits were not flameproof or covered in rubber. We are, of course, talking about the Demon Energy D1NZ Awards evening held on July 16 at Auckland's ASB Showgrounds.

A chance for teams to get together and celebrate the achievements both on and off the track, it's become an institution of the series, and also makes for one hell of a good night and an unenviably not-so-good following morning. But that wasn't stopping anyone from making it a big one, and, by all accounts, it's a highlight of the season.

D1NZ CEO Brendon White commented, “It’s important to host the awards night to bring everyone together — the drivers in D1NZ are just a big family of people sharing the same passion, so it’s refreshing to get the downtime to celebrate all their hard work together and get excited for the epic season ahead.”

You may have seen the voting going down online leading up to the awards. The fact that they aren't voted on by a panel, but instead on social media by fans and the drivers' peers, is the best thing about the awards. Let's check out the winners ...

Pro Awards

D1NZ Giant Killer: Gaz Grove — winner of a $4000 ECU package thanks to Link ECU.

Pro — Best Personality: Cole Armstrong

Pro — Best Drifting Style: ‘Fanga Dan’ Woolhouse

Pro — Standout Run of the Season: Daynom Templeman Pro — Smoke Machine: Daynom Templeman

Pro — Best Presented Engine Bay: Daynom Templeman

Pro — Best Presented Car: Jaron Olivecrona

Pro — Angle King: Michael Prosenik

Pro — Best Tandem Battle: Michael Prosenik vs Adam Hedges at Baypark

Pro — Most Improved: Dylan Woolhouse

Pro — Sportsmanship Superstar: Phil Sutherland

Pro — Fan Favourite: Nico Reid

Pro-Sport Awards

Pro-Sport — Standout Run of the Season: Ian McShean
Pro–Sport — Fan Favourite: Ian McShean

Pro–Sport — Best Personality: Jase Brown

Pro–Sport — Best Drifting Style: Kieran Stewart
Pro–Sport — Hardest Charger: Kieran Stewart

Pro–Sport — Smoke Machine: Chad McKenzie
Pro–Sport — Angle King: Chad McKenzie
Pro–Sport — Best Tandem Battle: Chad McKenzie vs Vincent Hopkins at Baypark (Vincent won)