Image: Keith Muir.

Multiple Australian champion Matt Walters has been announced as winner of the 2013 RK Chains Samurai Award, one of the sport’s most historic and prestigious prizes.

The award, the most highly regarded rider recognition award in Australian road racing hosted by Rapid Bikes, has been running since 1987 and has been awarded to a who’s who of Australian road racers since its inception.

Walters was nominated the latest Samurai Trophy winner after clinching last year’s Australian Prostock and Australasian Superbike Championships aboard a privateer Kawasaki Connection/Rover Coaches ZX-10R.

“The panel have voted Matthew Walters as the winner and I would like to congratulate Matt,” commented Rapid Bikes editor Jeff Ware. “He rode very well during 2013, really giving the established front-runners and factory riders a hurry up and I see no reason why he can’t win the title in 2014.

“The RK Chains Samurai Award is awarded to the ‘Rider of the Year’ based on best new talent, most improved and outstanding effort. Matt ticks all of those boxes.

“A special thanks must got to Link International for continued support of up and coming young riders in Australia, with both a high commitment of sponsorship and with this prestigious annual trophy.”

Walters will be presented with the trophy at the opening round of the 2014 Australasian Superbike Championship at Wakefield Park on 14-16 March.

RK Chains Samurai Award roll of honour:
2013 Matthew Walters
2012 Josh Hook
2011 Mike Jones
2010 Troy Herfoss
2008 Pat Medcalfe
2007 Jason O’Halloran
2006 Jamie Stauffer
2005 Mark Aitchison
2004 Adam Fergusson
2003 Kevin Curtain
2002 Shannon Johnson
2001 Josh Brookes
2000 Craig Coxhell
1999 Broc Parkes
1998 Anthony West
1997 Martin Craggill
1996 Mark Willis
1995 Rip Crocker
1994 Anthony Gobert
1993 Troy Corser
1992 Michael O’Connor
1991 Mat Mladin
1990 Daryl Beattie
1989 Rene Bongers
1988 Mick Doohan
1987 Grant Hodson