Awards

Each year, WAPA makes three awards:

The Golden Gear Award
This is presented during the annual WAPA Gala, in January. The award, honors a person, or an entity that has made an outstanding contribution to the automotive industry. Some of the past winner include: J.D. Powers, Brian O'Neill, IIHS, Carroll Shelby, Robert Lutz, Carlos Ghosn and John W. Hetrick designer of patented airbag.

The John Lynker Award
This award is named for the founding member of the association who was a legendary automotive journalist at Washington?s WTOP-AM, CBS radio station. In addition, John was a newspaper columnist and magazine contributor. WAPA began presenting this annual award in 2002 to recognize the most significant advance in safety or technology in the auto industry.

The Golden Quill Award
This is made each year at the WAPA Gala to honor an outstanding piece of journalism in print, broadcast or on the Web or for a series in those mediums that makes a contribution to the public good related to motor vehicles and or the motor vehicle industry. Journalists writing within the Washington Baltimore area are eligible to compete for the award. Entries are submitted to a judge from outside of the Association and the award carries a check of $500.