Royal Automobile Club Wins Rally of the Year 2015

The Royal Automobile Club has won the 2015 Rally of the Year at the International Historic Motoring Awards for the second consecutive year for the 1000 Mile Trial. The awards ceremony, which took place on 19th November at London’s St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel, resembled a ‘Who’s Who’ of historic motoring as famous names from the world of motoring, motor sport and industry gathered together for the events’ fifth annual awards.

Royal Automobile Club - Pictured Left to Right - Peter Foubister, Peter Read

The Club’s Motoring Committee Chairman, Peter Read, who collected the award, said ‘The 1000 Mile Trial has received many accolades since its relaunch in 2014 we are delighted to have won Rally of the Year 2015 for the second consecutive year, especially against such a high calibre of contenders’.

Launched in 2011, the International Historic Motoring Awards recognises and celebrates the skills and achievements of the worldwide historic motoring industry and comprises 14 award categories ranging from Museum of the Year through to Motor Sport Event and Lifetime Achievement. The awards are judged by an international panel of leading authorities.

The original 1000 Mile Trial was organised by the Club back in 1900 and was created to show a sceptical public that the automobile would become a viable means of transport for the future. The event was one by Charles Rolls. In 2014 the Royal Automobile Club revived the 1000 Mile Trial, recreating the original event that the Club promoted in 1900 which started and finished at Woodcote Park, the country clubhouse in Surrey. The event caught the imagination of competitors and the public alike in 2014 and again this year 2015, where crowds of people turned out to see the wonderful Pre-War vehicles from around the world.

The 1000 Mile Trial has rapidly become a ‘must do’ event for Pre-War vehicle owners – any automobile registered prior to 1940 is eligible – from an Austin to a Rolls-Royce. As well as being a premier reliability trial for Pre-War vehicles, it also features speed tests off the public highways and hill climbs, plus a superb social element with stunning hotels, stately homes, museums and gems of British culture. The 1000 Mile Trial will return once again on 11th to 16th July 2016.

Staff