As was the case last season, the Guild will have passes available for members to attend race meetings at Silverstone in 2023, kindly provided by the BRDC (British Racing Drivers Club).

Six passes in total have been provided and these are ideally intended for working Guild members to be able to use the BRDC facilities at the circuit, or those unable to obtain accreditation for a meeting but who are intending to be working at it.

The deal between the Guild and the BRDC is yet another benefit of GOMW membership.

Tim Beavis, as chair of the Guild’s Motor Sports sub-committee, is ‘curating’ the process and members should contact him to avail themselves of a pass complete with car parking. 

Passes will be available for meetings throughout the season with the exception of the British GP.

Interested members should contact Tim, with the planned publication for work and an address to send the pass to. He can then collate and send out passes as required – they will need to be returned to him immediately after use ready for the next event and others to use.

Image: Jakob Ebrey / BRDC

The Guild of Motoring Writers Big Day Out makes its return to Castle Combe circuit next month (writes Simon Harris), and entries are now open for members to spend a day on track.

Entries for the event on Wednesday 26th April will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and are primarily for Guild members. Any guest drivers they wish to nominate will be placed on a reserve list to fill places left vacant by member-drivers.

Entry forms can be obtained from John Griffiths and must be completed and returned by 14th April. The entry fee for Guild drivers on this strictly no-profit event is £50, guest drivers £75 and passengers £15.

The event is sponsored once again by Suzuki GB, and we are grateful to Alun Parry for his continued support. A number of Suzuki cars will be available for testing on the roads in the area in downtime between drivers’ circuit slots. Honda will also bring three test cars to the event for road driving, and has kindly offered to pay for attendee breakfasts in the circuit café.

At the end of the event, all participants are invited to tea at nearby Middlewick, home of Guild president Nick Mason.

There is a need to streamline administration at the circuit on the day, with one of the most time-consuming problems being non-signing of the mandatory safety disclaimer forms required by the circuit.

Therefore, from this year Guild drivers should now ensure that they email copies of the disclaimer form attached alongside their entry forms to ANY guest drivers they wish to nominate and intending passengers. They should return the completed forms directly to John Griffiths.

Only those who have supplied completed disclaimers, whether drivers or passengers, will receive wristbands allowing them on track.

Castle Combe allows a maximum of 12 cars on track in any one session. To allow all participants to have adequate track time (2 x 15 mins in morning, 2 x 15 mins afternoon plus two ‘free’ sessions at end of play) the total number of drivers is limited to 60.

All participants should note that Guild members really do have first call on these places, and that only if driving slots remain vacant can Guild members’ guest drivers be accommodated. (Past experience, however, suggests that such places are likely to be available and guest drivers and passengers will be heartily welcomed.)

It is inevitable that some entrants may wish to make changes/substitutions as the day itself draws near. The admin team will do their utmost to accommodate, as in the past, but we do request they be minimised. Entrants may also enter more than one car, subject to spaces being available.

Final instructions will be issued immediately after the close of entries. They will cover timings, noise testing (under 100dB), the mandatory safety briefing, refreshment arrangements and other relevant details.

Please note that the circuit paddock will close at 6pm on the evening before the event and motorhomes/trailers are welcome to occupy it overnight, as per a normal pre-race meeting evening. At 6pm, however, the circuit gates will be locked, no ifs or buts.

Be advised that four hotels are within easy or relatively easy reach of the circuit: Travelodge (M5 services) and Premier Inn, Chippenham (both modestly priced); Castle Hotel and Manor House Hotel, both in Castle Combe itself (and more credit card-melting). Previously Chris Adamson has also organised a group dinner at the Premier Inn’s Brewers Fayre and this can be continued if there is enough demand. Please give an indication when returning your entry form.

We look forward to seeing many of you at this extremely popular annual event.

Celebration was the order of business at the annual Guild of Motoring Writers Dinner and Awards on Thursday 1st December. 

Members and their colleagues from the PR side of the industry, plus some very special guests, filled the banqueting room of the RAC Club in Pall Mall for the Dinner and Awards. Accolades on the night went to Guild members for the excellence of their work in 2022, to others for their meritorious service to the Guild, and to major names in the automotive industry celebrating their achievements.

Among the latter the Young Rider and Driver of the Year trophies were presented to speedway champion Dan Bewley and British Touring Car Championship winner Tom Ingram. One of the BTCC’s most famous names, Jason Plato, won the Outstanding Achievement in Motorsport Award, while Motorsport UK head David Richards CBE took the President’s Trophy and Formula One driver turned commentator Martin Brundle was made an honorary member of the Guild. 

Commenting on what he described as another busy year, Guild Chair Richard Aucock also paid tribute to several members lost in 2022, especially in recent times. But he added that the Guild is attracting lots of new members, and looking forward to an equally busy 2023 which among other highlights will see the return of the Guild Classic. Next year’s event is set to be based in Wales and titled Guild Classic Cymru.

Friend of the Guild

There are only ever a maximum of 25 Friends of the Guild and this year joining their ranks is former Kia UK PR, now head of PR and Communications at Genesis Europe, Jon Walsh. He was presented with his tankard by Guild Chair Richard Aucock. 

Life membership

A very surprised Colin Dawson was awarded Life Membership of the Guild, recognising the many years he spent masterminding essential communications, particularly Update, the hard-copy predecessor to the current News Briefs digital newsletter.

Pemberton Trophy

The citation of the Pemberton Trophy reads ‘for an outstanding contribution, not necessarily journalistic, to the cause of motoring’. It was presented to veteran journalist, former Guild Chair and now Vice-President and Trustee of the Guild Benevolent Fund, John Blauth. 

The competitive awards were presented as follows (photos of the winners can be found on the Awards section of the website here);

Guild/MICA Young PR Professional of the Year, in association with HCVA

The joint award made by the Guild and MICA – the Motor Industry Communicators Association, and sponsored by HCVA – the Historic & Classic Vehicles Alliance was open to entrants aged 30 and under, judges looking for the best examples of performance, professionalism and practice in automotive PR.

The winner was Elizabeth Waddup, Automobile PR & Events Manager at Honda UK, and she received her award from Guild Chair Richard Aucock, MICA Managing Director Richard Gotch and HCVA CEO, Garry Wilson.

The judges felt that Elizabeth had shown an outstanding understanding of the accelerating rate of change in our industry, not just as a vehicle manufacturer but also from the dealer and customer perspectives, and were impressed by how this understanding is reflected in her work.

AA Campaigning for Motoring Award

New for 2022, this award merges the AA’s previous Campaigning Journalism and Safety awards. From road safety to electric vehicles, or roads maintenance to environmental issues, the judges wanted to see examples of how entrants have built and delivered their case to improve the lives of all road users.

The winner was Lucy Radley for a piece in Commercial Motor highlighting mental health and wellbeing in the industry. Judges felt her reporting showed how severe the issue can be, and how, until recently support wasn’t available. The feature highlighted how the industry is acknowledging and changing to offer support where it’s so vitally needed.

Unfortunately Lucy was unable to be at the dinner so her award was collected from AA PR manager Tony Rich by Commercial Motor Technical Editor Colin Barnett. 

 BCA Feature Writer of the Year 

The hotly-contested Feature Writer of the Year Award was won by James Taylor for a feature in Car magazine on the Lucid Air electric saloon, combining a first drive with an interview with Lucid CEO Peter Rawlinson. Judges felt the piece skilfully balanced driving impressions with insight into the development process and market aspirations and James received his Award from BCA Head of PR Tim Naylor. 

 Footman James Classic Writer of the Year 

Again attracting the most entries among all the Award categories this year, the Classic Writer of the Year Award was presented by David Bond, Managing Director of sponsor Footman James, to Giles Chapman. The judges felt all three of Giles’ submitted features stood out while the profile of Geneva-based old car dealer Simon Kidston really got under the skin of the man, a fabulous piece of writing. 

 Genesis Award for Automotive Technology Journalism

Now in its third year, the Genesis Award for Automotive Technology Writing was presented by Genesis Motor UK head of PR & Communications Simon Branney to Tom Geggus. Tom submitted a multimedia feature produced for Autovista24 which included a podcast, a video and a whole host of related articles – a very comprehensive piece of multimedia journalism. The judges were most impressed with his ability to make technical subjects easy to read. 

Isuzu Photographer of the Year

Top quality in photography was the focus of the next two Awards and Isuzu Product & PR Manager Brian Wheeler presented the trophy in the General category to Jonathan Fleetwood. Jonathan triumphed for the second year in succession with a portfolio judges felt excelled in both quality and content – technically first-class but equally highly pictorial. 

The Motorsport category award went to Drew Gibson – Drew won the award in 2020 and was highly commended last year. The judges agreed his high-quality portfolio displayed a mastery of techniques plus evidence of him looking for the different angle to capture highly pictorial images. 

IVECO Commercial Vehicle Writer of the Year 

Iveco replaced sister company CNH as the sponsor of the Commercial Vehicle writing trophy and Brand Marketing & Communications Manager Lisa Fuller presented the Award to Louise Cole. A holistic, exhaustively researched and well-argued appraisal of the era of unprecedented technological and legislative change now facing all truck makers, operators and users earned Louise her third triumph in the category. 

Mercedes-Benz Technical Publication of the Year 

Mercedes-Benz transferred its sponsorship to a more technically-orientated Award this year, with judges looking for publications that have successfully presented automotive content to a consumer audience, with a focus on technology and innovation that can be easily understood.

The winner was Veloce Publishing for Inside the Machine, a publication that gives a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the automotive industry through the development stories of three very different, but highly significant, vehicles. Veloce director Rod Grainger received the award from Mercedes-Benz Automotive PR Manager Hunter Skipworth. 

Prodrive Motorsport Award 

This ever-popular award recognises an outstanding achievement by a Guild member writing about motorsport at any level and this year provided Car magazine’s James Taylor with his second triumph of the evening, receiving his trophy from Prodrive Marketing & PR manager Jamie Stanton.

James wrote an exceptional piece about the Race of Remembrance, a prestigious event that really epitomises the spirit of motor racing. Judges felt his eloquent writing style and thoroughness helped to create a truly immersive reader experience. 

Prova PR Business Writer of the Year 

Prova PR has now sponsored the Guild’s Business Writer of the Year category for 14 straight years, and this year the winner was Jack Carfrae. Writing for Transport News, Jack explained in simple terms how time-of-use energy pricing works and how the right technology can unlock its potential to save fleets money whilst also potentially delivering valuable data to inform further efficiencies. Judges felt this was a strong, easy-to-read commercial/business piece that doesn’t skimp on technology insight.

Jack is based abroad and was unable to attend the dinner, so his award was collected by his former editor and Guild Vice-Chair Simon Harris from Prova PR Director of Strategy Gill Holtom. 

RAC EV Journalist of the Year 

This award recognises the increasing role electric vehicles are playing in today’s motoring arena and RAC Senior Press Officer Rod Dennis presented the trophy to Mark Bursa.

In a series of articles for Professional Driver, Mark guided readers through the various aspects of switching to an electric vehicle – the target audience being the self-employed (such as taxis and private hire) who are responsible for obtaining and maintaining their own vehicles and for whom the move to EVs is essential. Aspects covered included the slow pace of EV infrastructure and how rising domestic electricity prices are impacting home charging. 

Torque Agency Business Publication of the Year 

This, the second new award for 2022, was open to all automotive business media publications, and the judges were looking for clarity in editing, design and writing, together with well-researched content which helps readers understand the complexities of the business side of the UK auto industry.

Winner of the inaugural award was Auto Retail Profit and its Editor, Guild Chair Richard Aucock, stepped up to receive the trophy from Torque Agency Group Associate Director, Alex Michaelides. The judges felt that the publication demonstrated a laser-like focus on its purpose without becoming dry or repetitive. Features are well-researched and insightful, with the breadth of industry contributors clearly demonstrating the title’s reputation within the sector. 

Bentley Editor of the Year

The Bentley Editor of the Year trophy was presented by one of the award’s judges, Ray Hutton, to Erin Baker of Auto Trader. The judges commented that under Erin’s direction Auto Trader has expanded to become an important publication in its own right, now among the five most valuable automotive media outlets in the UK. It is tough to get recognition for independent editorial content in a highly commercial advertisement medium, but Erin has done just that. 

Montagu of Beaulieu Trophy

This year sees the Montagu of Beaulieu Trophy share its 50th anniversary with its founding partner, the National Motor Museum and welcome a new sponsor in Suzuki UK. Open to both Guild members and non-Guild members alike, the award caters exclusively for books and the entry list reflected an interesting and eclectic mix of submissions.

CEO of the National Motor Museum Trust, Dr Jon Murden and Suzuki Head of Press and PR Alun Parry presented the first, second and third-place awards. The winner was Jon Pressnell for Marcel Pourtout – Carrossier, the first book devoted entirely to the company behind the rakish Darl’mat Peugeots of the 1930s. Unfortunately Jon was unable to attend the dinner so fellow member Russell Hayes collected his trophy.

Second place went to Ian Wagstaff for his book Formula One’s Unsung Pioneers – The story of the British Racing Partnership and how it launched motorsport into the modern era, while in third was Michael Barton with Fast Lady – The Extraordinary Adventures of Miss Dorothy Levitt.

Sue Baker Journalist of the Year, sponsored by loop

Before this award, sponsored by loop, was presented Guild Chair Richard Aucock announced that it was to be renamed in honour of our sadly recently departed member Sue Baker, a trailblazer for women in automotive journalism. 

The judging panel carefully assessed the winning entries of the Guild Awards looking for submissions with a particular emphasis being placed on initiative and endeavour – Richard and loop Head of Agency Tim Bowdler presented the Award to Erin Baker. 

Kia UK Special Contribution to Motoring

The final honours of the evening were bestowed by the Guild to those which have made a notable impact on the automotive world during the past 12 months. First was the Special Contribution to Motoring, presented by Guild Chair Richard Aucock and Kia UK Head of Press and PR Daniel Sayles to John Hogan.

John went from nine years in the Army to work experience at Autocar, stints in journalism and PR, then staffer, editor and finally owner of Superbike. He has written a biography of Isle of Man TT legend John McGuinness, freelanced for titles across the world and is now communications head at Norton Motorcycles, having saved the company with his investigation of its previous owner. 

Young Rider of the Year

The Guild’s two prime motorsport awards now specify that they are awarded for entrants aged under 30, and the Young Rider of the Year Award this year went to Dan Bewley. Starting speedway racing just five years ago Dan won a championship in his first season and has continued to rack up titles, in 2022 winning the British Championship with a flawless 18-point maximum, back-to-back Grand Prix races in Cardiff and Wroclaw and, as part of the Great Britain team, finishing runner-up in the Speedway of Nations.

Training commitments in Poland prevented Dan attending the Dinner so his trophy was collected by Guild member and lifelong speedway fan Ian Wagstaff. 

Young Driver of the Year

Tom Ingram was named the 2022 Guild Young Driver of the Year. This season Tom finally achieved his dream of winning the British Touring Car Championship, triumphing in a three-driver shoot-out at the final round with two wins and a fifth place. Starting his career in karting, Tom has been in the BTCC since 2014, racked up 25 race wins and two independents titles, and been a contender for the overall title in four of the last five season finales.

Tom was unable to attend the Dinner so his trophy was collected by Guild News Briefs Editor and BTCC specialist Andrew Charman.

Outstanding Achievement in Motorsport

Another award new for 2022, this recognises an outstanding achievement made by a British driver or rider of any age in any form of motorsport and a very worthy recipient of the inaugural award was Jason Plato.

Jason took his first race victory in a kart in 1989 before making his way up the single-seater ladder. He won Championships in both the Formula Renault Eurocup and Spider Cup but is best known for his exploits in the British Touring Car Championship, where since his debut in 1997 he has amassed 97 race wins and two championship titles. He is also well known as a TV presenter, mainly on Fifth Gear.

Interviewed by the evening’s master-of-ceremonies, Ben Edwards, following the trophy presentation, Jason told the remarkable story of how his BTCC career might not have started had he not doorstepped Renault BTCC and F1 team boss Frank Williams. He also emphasised that while he had stepped back from the BTCC at the end of 2022, he had not necessarily retired!

Jason later commented, “I am truly honoured to receive this award from the Guild. To be applauded in this way is really quite something.”

Honorary Membership

The Guild had only five Honorary Members until the Guild Dinner, which saw the appointment of a sixth in Martin Brundle. Formerly a racing driver who had the measure of Ayrton Senna in Formula 3 and who rose to compete in 158 Grand Prix races for such teams as Benetton, McLaren and Williams, Martin has since forged an equally successful career behind the microphone as an expert pundit on F1. Learning his trade alongside the legend that was Murray Walker, Martin is today a lynchpin of Sky’s F1 coverage.

Martin described his award as “a great honour indeed”.

President’s Trophy

The final award of the evening was the President’s Trophy and presented by Guild President Nick Mason, newly returned from the latest section of his highly successful Saucerful of Secrets tour playing early Pink Floyd material.

The Trophy went to David Richards CBE, a man whose involvement with motorsport spans most forms of four-wheeled competition. As a professional rally co-driver he won the World Rally Championship title with Ari Vatanen, and having hung his helmet up he then developed his company Prodrive into one of the largest multi-disciplined motorsport specialists in the world, winning championships in a host of on and off-road categories including World Rally titles with such star names as Colin McRae and Richard Burns. 

As if this isn’t enough, David now heads the motorsports governing body in the UK, Motorsport UK. Ben Edwards commented that reading through David’s extensive CV, it’s hard to find an area of motorsport he hasn’t influenced. 

The Guild has commissioned new Christmas card designs, which are available for sale in packs of 12.

 Designed by Netherlands-based overseas member Drew Meehan, who has been creating and printing his own personal Christmas cards for many years, the Guild committee decided to commission a new card as well as repurposing two of his previous works.

The new card depicts an iconic 1964 Morris Mini Cooper S, as driven to victory by Paddy Hopkirk in the Monte Carlo Rally of that year. The car is passing the frontage of the Royal Automobile Club in London – the spiritual home of the Guild of Motoring Writers.

The other designs in the Guild collection are of a 1939 Lagonda V12 ‘Le Mans’ passing the Houses of Parliament, and a 1939 Alfa Romeo 6C2500 Graber on a festive red background. All cars are driven by Father Christmas, and the inside of the cards is left blank for personal greetings and messages.

Drew’s first Christmas card was created on a whim in 2001 as an homage to the Art Deco posters of the legendary artist Geo Ham. It received such a positive reaction from friends and family that he used subsequent years to highlight special moments in his life, becoming a personal souvenir in both good and tough times to those closest to him. 

More than 20 years (and cards) later, Drew has found that the designs resonate with people around the world. He hopes that they will now bring joy and connection to a new audience of guild members and their car-loving friends and family. 

The Guild cards will be sold in packs of 12, with four cards of each design included. Priced at £15 (including postage and packaging) for UK deliveries, with postage rates for overseas deliveries on application.

Cards may be obtained by emailing Guild General Secretary Melissa Chadderton.

Simon Harris

• Four weeks to enter work for 2022 Guild of Motoring Writers Awards
• New categories and sponsors with cash prizes
• Awards presented at gala dinner at Royal Automobile Club on 1st December

Entries are now open for the 2022 Guild of Motoring Writers Awards, with the winners set to be presented with their awards during a black-tie dinner held at the Royal Automobile Club in December.

This year’s awards include two new categories, the Mercedes-Benz Technical Publication of the Year and the Torque Agency Group Business Publication of the Year.The period for submitting entries will last until midnight on Friday 30th September and, following judging, finalists will be announced in November. Work published between 1^st October 2021 and 30th September 2022 will be eligible for consideration.

The awards presentation will be held at its traditional home of the Royal Automobile Club on 1^st December, during the Guild’s Annual Dinner, which always features leading figures in automotive journalism and the industry.

Guild judges will select from up to three submissions per entry, with the best single piece of work from three entrants selected to make up the finalists of each category.

Books only are eligible to be entered into the Suzuki Award for the Montagu of Beaulieu Trophy. The closing date for entries is 30 September 2022. An individual piece of material (such as a story or feature) can only be submitted into one category.

For full details on all the award categories, prize money and an entry form go to: https://www.gomw.co.uk/enter

Candidates are advised to read the online instructions carefully before entering. If you have any questions about the entry procedure or want to apply for Guild membership contact Honorary Secretary, Richard Netherwood email: honsec@gomw.co.uk.