Race Retro invites nominations for annual Historic Motorsport Awards

The 4th International Historic Motorsport Show – now known by the shorter name of ‘Race Retro’ – has opened nominations for the annual Historic Motorsport Awards. For the first time, the public is invited to take part in the process.

These hotly contested Awards recognise the achievements of the very best drivers, riders, navigators, organisers, companies and journalists of the European historic motorsport world. Between now and March, a panel of expert judges will be considering nominations from across Europe, drawing both upon their own experience and suggestions from the public. The panel includes Graham Robson (Chairman), George Beale, Dean Butler, Robert Coucher, Tony Dron, Gunnar Elmgren, Colin Francis, Dave Gittins, Martin Grant-Peterkin, Mike Jackson, Jamie Knight, Flavien Marcais, Marcus Pye, Carol Quiniou, Ian Shapland, Carol Spagg, Mick Walsh, Grahame White, Paul Wignall, Barrie Williams, Simon Woodall and Jason Wright.

“There is always good-natured but heated debate among the judges as to who should win each Award,” says renowned motorsport historian Graham Robson, Chairman of the 2007 panel. “While each of the judges has specialist knowledge in certain areas, we felt we should be inviting suggestions from spectators and enthusiasts, too. Perhaps there is an event, or an individual, who has been overlooked in the past? We want to take spectators into account when deciding on the final winners.”

In keeping with tradition, the shortlisted nominations will be announced in February 2007. The final winners will then be announced at the Historic Motorsport Awards Charity Dinner held on the Saturday night of the three-day ‘Race Retro’ show, which this year takes place on 23-25 March 2007 at Stoneleigh Park, near Coventry.

There are 14 categories in the 2007 Historic Motorsport Awards:

Race Meeting of the Year – Championship or Series of the Year – Competition Club of the Year – Speed Event of the Year – Road Rally of the Year – Stage Rally of the Year – Off-Road Event of the Year – Motorcycle Event of the Year – Motorsport Company of the Year – Restoration of the Year – Rally Driver of the Year – Navigator/Co-Driver of the Year – Race Driver of the Year – Journalist/Photographer of the Year

The judges would welcome suggestions from historic motorsport enthusiasts to help them draw up a shortlist of nominations – and decide the final winners. Please send suggestions, with very brief reasons (up to 50 words and specifying which category!), to historicawards@mac.com.