The clock is ticking in the search for historic car excellence

30.08.2024

Final call for nominations for the 2024
Royal Automobile Club Historic Awards

With the 23 September deadline for the Royal Automobile Club Historic Awards fast approaching, Britain’s classic motoring enthusiasts and industry professionals alike have just a short time left to play their part in celebrating excellence.

Nominations for outstanding events, individuals, organisations and achievements during the past year can still be accepted over the coming three weeks, and are invited in the following categories:

  • Museums & Collections – recognising achievements by museums and collections large and small, as long as they’re accessible to the public.
  • Competitive Event – celebrating everything from stage rallies and hillclimbs to race meetings, regularity trials, race series and even individual races.
  • Innovation – rewarding initiative and creativity in the development of new products and services.
  • Motoring Spectacle – for classic motoring events of all sizes with no element of timed competition. Eligible events include concours d’elegance, tours, club gatherings and classic vehicle shows.
  • Outstanding Journalism – for the very best print, digital or broadcast feature in a UK-based media outlet.
  • Personal Endeavour – celebrating individual achievement within the British historic motoring or motorsport world.
  • Restoration – recognising the superlative skill, research and sensitivity to a vehicle’s history that makes a world-class restoration.
  • Young Achiever – this award acknowledges individuals aged 18-30 who are the rising stars of Britain’s historic motoring industry.

Head of Motoring for the Royal Automobile Club, Jeremy Vaughan, said: “We’ve already received some very strong nominations. These highlight the skill and creativity within the British historic motoring and motorsport world and will certainly challenge our panels of expert judges – once entries close on 23 September – as they whittle the lists down to select finalists from the full selection.

“It’s so important that we celebrate exceptional achievements and events in this £18bn industry, and we look forward to receiving yet more nominations from both professionals and enthusiasts. We urge everyone who is thinking about nominating to make sure they do so in time… this is the final call!”

Eligibility is based on achievements made between 1 October 2023 and 23 September 2024. Candidates can nominate themselves or be nominated by a third party. Nominations are made through a simple online form on the Awards’ website, and the winners will be revealed at a glittering awards’ evening at the Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall on Thursday, 21 November.

Formula 1 presenter Lee McKenzie will host what is always a highlight of the historic motoring calendar, at which the Club will also present the coveted Royal Automobile Club Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of an individual who has made a truly outstanding contribution to British motoring and/or motorsport heritage over many decades.

Since their inception, the Awards have recognised a remarkable range of individuals, institutions, events and achievements, underlining the breadth of the historic motoring world.

Each category is assessed by its own handpicked, independent and expert specialist judging panel, headed by its own Lead Judge. This year’s Lead Judges are Sarah Bennett-Baggs (Editor, Auto Addicts and an active historic motorsport competitor), Alastair Clements (Editor-in-Chief, Classic & Sports Car), Steve Cropley (Editor-in-Chief, Autocar), Vanessa Marçais (historic motorsport organiser), Lizzie Pope (Associate Editor, Classic & Sports Car), Simon Taylor (journalist, author, publisher, motor racing commentator and car collector) Ian Titchmarsh (motorsport commentator and Trustee of Silverstone Heritage) and Allan Winn, Director and former CEO of Brooklands Museum.

The Awards extend the Club’s 127-year pedigree in recognising motoring accomplishments. Today, the Club presents a series of internationally recognised accolades, including the Segrave Trophy, the Torrens Trophy, the Simms Medal, the Dewar Trophy and the oldest trophy in motorsport – the Tourist Trophy.

For further information or to make a nomination, please visit royalautomobileclubhistoricawards.co.uk.