Royal Automobile Club Awards trophies at the international concours of elegance, Hampton Court Palace

The Royal Automobile Club recognised a number of classic cars at The Concours of Elegance event last weekend, awarding two of the hotly-contested trophies - the new Club Trophy and the annually awarded Spirit of Motoring Trophy.

Front-runners for the Club Trophy included entries from the Bentley Drivers’ Club, Aston Martin Owners’ Club, Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club, Ferrari Owners’ Club, Bristol Owners’ Club, The Royal Automobile Club, Jaguar Drivers’ Club, Maserati Club, AC Owners’ Club, Lamborghini Owners’ Club, Jensen Owners’ Club and the Gordon Keeble Owners’ Club. The Club Trophy judging team was selected by the Royal Automobile Club, with the judges including HRH Prince Michael of Kent, Ben Cussons (Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club Motoring Committee), David Gandy (British Model and classic car enthusiast), Mark Knopfler OBE (Dire Straits), Tiffany Darke (Editor, Style Magazine), and Amanda Stretton (TV Presenter and racing driver). The 2014 Club Trophy was presented to Nigel Allen for his outstanding 1968 Ferrari 275 GTB/4. In addition to winning the coveted prize, Nigel’s Ferrari has been automatically entered into the 2015 Concours event line-up.

Speaking of the award, Ben Cussons, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club’s Motoring Committee said, ‘The Royal Automobile Club is delighted to recognise the spirit and dedication of car club members and to support the grass roots concours movement in the UK. The passion for our automotive heritage that the car clubs show is as strong as ever’.

The Royal Automobile Club is also responsible for awarding The Spirit of Motoring Trophy, an annual award presented at the judges’ discretion to the person or car who most epitomises the Spirit of Motoring. This year it was presented to Jonathan Turner. Jonathan is a keen racer and rally driver, who has participated in events all over the world and believes passionately that cars should be driven. He demonstrated this, when having completed a two-year restoration of Donald Healey’s 1934 Triumph Dolomite 8C SS Corsica Roadster, he participated on the 1,000 Mile Trial, despite knowing that the car had been selected for the Concours of Elegance, where its appearance would be at a premium.

Notes to Editors

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 the Club’s 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 motor sports event. The Club promoted the first pre-war and post-war Grands Prix at Brooklands in 1926 and Silverstone in 1948 respectively, whilst 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 Motor Sport Association (MSA), Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and RAC Foundation, while continuing to promote its own motoring events, such as the free-to-attend Regent Street Motor Show and the Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run held on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd November 2014.

The Royal Automobile Club also awards a series of historic trophies and medals celebrating motoring achievements. These include the Segrave Trophy, the Tourist Trophy, the Simms Medal, the Dewar Trophy and the Torrens Trophy.

www.royalautomobileclub.co.uk/motoring

Media Relations: Rebecca Leppard

Email: Rebecca@eventspr.co.uk

Tel: 01452 260063/M: 07749 852481