Defeated V8 Supercar title contender Craig Lowndes took some silverware home from the series awards banquet when he was presented with a second consecutive Barry Sheene Medal.

According to the judges - drawn from the major Australian media titles as well as motorsport magazines and commentators - the Triple Eight Race Engineering driver deserved the award for his outstanding leadership, personality, fan appeal and sportsmanship in 2006, traits highlighted as he put aside the controversial end to the season at Phillip Island at the weekend.

"It's an honour to receive this award two years in a row," Lowndes admitted, before praising his team for its performance during the season, "We've had a great year, winning Bathurst and coming so close to winning the championship. The entire Triple Eight Race Engineering team has done a sensation job all season and they should feel really proud of what we have all achieved this season.

"I also have to thank my 'whiz-kid' team-mate, Jamie Whincup, for bringing us the Bathurst victory. I think he really came of age this season, and is an outstanding team-mate."

V8 Supercars Australia chairman Tony Cochrane congratulated Lowndes on his achievements across the year, and confirmed that the four-time V8 champion aptly personified the late Barry Sheene.

"Craig more than fits the bill for this award, which is named after one of Australia's greatest motorsport identities," Cochrane said, "Craig, like the late Peter Brock - who was also a personal mentor of his - is a people's driver. He personifies all that this sport is about – giving back to the fans and the people."

Lowndes, who battled for the championship with Toll HSV Dealer Team's Rick Kelly to the last round, was joined by team-mate Jamie Whincup in being honoured for their Bathurst victory, while Jeld-Wen Motorsport's James Courtney won the Mike Kable Rookie of the Year Award for an outstanding season that included a third in the Mount Panorama race.

Ford won the manufacturers' title and Toll HSV the teams' championship, while Howard Racing's Adam Macrow was recognised for winning the 2006 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series. Australian motorsport legend Jim Richards was inducted into the sport's Hall of Fame.

Off-track awards went to The Courier Mail's Gordon Lomas, who won the media award for his coverage of the 2006 series, and Bartercard Miss V8 Supercar Cherie Mitchell, who was introduced as the 2007 'Face of the Series'.