Motor Press Guild Names Dean Batchelor Award Winners

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 3, 2003 -- The Motor Press Guild last night presented its Dean Batchelor Award to Robert Genat and Don Cox during the organization's annual Holiday Awards Dinner at the Petersen Automotive Museum.

Genat, an accomplished author and photographer, and Cox, dry lakes racer and photographer were recognized for their book entitled, The Birth of Hot Rodding.

"Robert Genat's narrative and Don Cox's colorful photos have captured the true spirit of California's legendary dry lakes action dating back to times when each event was an exciting and unpredictable new adventure," said Wally Parks, founder of the National Hot Rod Association.

A self-proclaimed "gear head," Genat has restored two classic cars and is working on a chopped 1932 five-window coupe. He has written 25 books and more than 100 magazine articles on automobiles, aviation and law enforcement. Genat currently lives in Encinitas, Calif., with his wife Robin and operates Zone Five Photo.

Cox picked up his first camera when he was 10 years old. He honed his photographing skills in the Navy during World War II and continues to take pictures. When he headed to the dry lakes in the 1940s to race his Roadster, naturally he brought his camera. Cox was able to document California's dry lakes racing history first hand.

The Dean Batchelor Award was established in 1995 and annually recognizes outstanding achievements by automotive writers, photographers and broadcasters. It was named in honor of one of the icons of automotive journalism whose passion for automobiles led him to many positions at various magazines in the industry and also to author several definitive books. In addition, Batchelor was actively involved in motorsports, designing and building the "So-Cal Streamliner" racecar that was used as inspiration for the award.