The judging panel of the world’s most important motoring and motor racing book awards have chosen this year’s finalists, and they cover everything from Formula 1 mavericks to single-seaters that rely on nothing but pedal power.
The Royal Automobile Club’s Motoring Book of The Year Awards is taking place for the eleventh year in a row. The world’s leading motoring writers and publishers will gather at a special event in London’s Pall Mall on Wednesday 30 October, where the winners – including the overall Book of The Year winner – will be revealed.
We founded these Awards in 2013 to recognise excellence and celebrate success in the motoring literary world,” said Jeremy Vaughan, Head of Motoring at the Royal Automobile Club.
“We are proud to lend our considerable support to the industry so that motoring book ideas and publications continue to thrive and be credited. The Club is thrilled at the interest the Awards generate, and also with the high quality of entries we receive each year. We would like to extend an enormous thank you to the judges, who this year had an especially tough time sifting the entries down to the final shortlist”
Titles under consideration were published between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024. There are four categories: one each for motoring- and motor racing-related subjects at affordable prices, and the same for more expensive titles that can include limited and bespoke editions – covering the entire spectrum of book publishing.
The overall trophy is awarded to the title (in any category) the judges consider stands above every other. In addition, the Club will present a Lifetime Achievement Award to recognise an individual who has made a significant contribution to the UK’s motoring book industry, as well as the Graham Robson Trophy for Best Debut Author.
Chairman of the judging panel Simon Taylor said: “Our judges had dozens and dozens of books to assess. Almost everything has merit, and we applaud anyone who has the inspiration and tenacity to have a car book published. It’s been a delight to see such impressive and diverse titles across all categories, as well as so many debut authors. In our finalists, though, the calibre of research and authorship is exceptionally high.”
In strictly alphabetical order, here is the shortlist in each category – with one of them certain to scoop the coveted overall Royal Automobile Club Motoring Book of The Year Award.
Books About Motor Cars & Motoring Costing No More Than £50
- MG Century: 100 Years―Safety Fast! by David Knowles, published by Motorbooks at £45.
- Morgan: An English Enigma: The Vintage and Classic Years by Martyn Webb, published by The Crowood Press at £45.
- Three Men in a Land Rover: 40,000 miles, 40 countries, one unique adventure by ‘Waxy’ Wainwright, Mike Palmer and Chris Wall, published by Porter Press International at £35
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Books About Motor Cars and Motoring With No Price Limit
- BMW Behind the Scenes by Steve Saxty, published by Seven Spoke Publishing at £239.95.
- Nash-Healey: A Grand Alliance by John Nikas with Hervé Chevalier, published by Dalton Watson Fine Books at £195.
- The Austin Pedal Car Story: The fascinating history of Austin’s J40 and Pathfinder from 1946 to present day by David Whyley, published by Porter Press International at £85.
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Books On A Motor Sporting Subject Costing No More Than £50
- Emeryson: The Life of Paul Emery. His Cars, Engines And Racing by Graham Rabagliati, published by Enigma Publishing at £50.
- Goldie: The Amazing Story of Alfred Goldie Gardner, the World’s Most Successful Speed-Record Driver by John Mayhead, published by National Motor Museum Publishing at £20.
- McLaren Formula 1 Car by Car: Every Race Car Since 1966 by Stuart Codling, published by Motorbooks at £45.
* * *
Books On A Motor Sporting Subject With No Price Limit
- Benetton: Rebels of Formula 1 by Damien Smith, published by Evro Publishing at £60.
- Derek Warwick: Never Look Back by Derek Warwick with David Tremayne, published by Evro Publishing at £60.
- The Last Eyewitness: The pioneering motor racing photography of Maurice Louis Branger 1902-1914 by Doug Nye, published by Porter Press International at £195.
Best Debut Author
- Happy Lucky Days: My Life in Racing by Bob Evans, published by BHP Publishing at £32
- JaguarSport XJR-15 A personal history of the design and development of the legendary supercar by Peter Stevens, published by Porter Press International at £149
- Three Men in a Land Rover: 40,000 miles, 40 countries, one unique adventure by ‘Waxy’ Wainwright, Mike Palmer and Chris Wall, published by Porter Press International at £35
The award committee consists of six expert judges who are independent of the Royal Automobile Club, and represent the UK’s most informed motoring literary critics, including Mick Walsh of Classic & Sports Car, Gordon Cruickshank of Motor Sport and Mark Dixon of Octane – plus Ian Titchmarsh from the British Racing Drivers’ Club and, representing the retail sector, Ben Horton, of specialist bookseller Horton’s Books, and Christian Whitehead, of famous Oxford bookstore Blackwell’s. The judging panel is chaired by respected motorsport writer, commentator and historian Simon Taylor.
The Motoring Book of the Year Awards form just one part of the Royal Automobile Club’s London Motor Week from 28 October to 2 November 2024. It is centered around the historic clubhouse on London’s Pall Mall, and culminates on Saturday 2 November with the St James’s Motoring Spectacle – a festival of cars past, present and future, for which Pall Mall is closed to through-traffic all day, and which is absolutely free-to-enter for members of the public and their families.
A few hours afterwards, at dawn on Sunday 3 November, the annual RM Sotheby’s London-to-Brighton Veteran Car Run – also organised by the Royal Automobile Club – begins in nearby Hyde Park. The Run remains the world’s longest-running motoring event, and this year celebrates its 128th year..
The Royal Automobile Club
The Royal Automobile Club was founded in 1897 and its distinguished history mirrors that of motoring itself. In 1907 the Club was awarded its Royal title by King Edward VII, sealing its status as Britain’s oldest and most influential motoring organisation.
The Club’s early years were focused on promoting the motor car and its place in society, which developed into motoring events such as the 1000 Mile Trial, first held in 1900. In 1905, the Club held the first Tourist Trophy, which remains the oldest continuously competed-for motorsport event. The Club promoted the first pre-war and post-war Grands Prix at Brooklands in 1926 and Silverstone in 1948 respectively, while continuing to campaign for the rights of the motorist, including introducing the first driving licences.
Today, the Club continues to develop and support automobilism through representation on the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and RAC Foundation while promoting its own motoring events including London Motor Week each October, which culminates in the RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.
The Royal Automobile Club awards a series of historic trophies and medals celebrating motoring achievements. These include the Segrave Trophy, the Tourist Trophy, the Dewar Trophy, the Simms Medal, the Torrens Trophy and the Diamond Jubilee Trophy.
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