The Royal Automobile Club hosted its inaugural Historic Awards at its Pall Mall clubhouse in London on November 21. Launched earlier this year, the awards were devised to celebrate the diversity and people involved in British historic motoring and motorsport, culminating with a special gala evening hosted by TV Formula 1 and sports presenter Lee McKenzie.
Greeting guests in the prestigious Rotunda was a two-car display featuring Sir Stirling Moss’ own Osca race car and Paddy Hopkirk’s Mini Cooper S, 6 EMO, which was still wearing the mud from its recent RAC Rally of the Tests victory with Steve Entwistle and Mark Appleton.
Awards were presented in seven categories, with winners including the Chateau Impney Hill Climb, which took top honours in the Competitive Event category, and The Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, which received the Motoring Spectacle award, supported by Footman James. In addition, The Jim Clark Motorsport Museum, which opened in June this year, was the winner of the Collection category and the Restoration category rather fittingly went to 1967 Jim Clark Lotus-Ford Type 38 Indianapolis Car, rebuilt by Nick Fennell and Classic Team Lotus.
The Royal Automobile Club Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to motoring and aviation journalist, Allan Winn, who was instrumental in the re-opening of the iconic finishing straight and aircraft factory at the Brooklands Museum in 2017. Winn was also part of the team that helped to raise funds for the museum to buy the 1933 24-litre Napier-Railton endurance record and track racing car, and he has since become the venue’s first vice president.
The 2020 Royal Automobile Club Historic Awards will be held on a similar date next year – nominations will open in the spring. For further information see www.royalautomobileclubhistoricawards.co.uk.
