WINNERS CELEBRATE AT GUILD OF MOTORING WRITERS AWARDS 2018

WINNERS CELEBRATE AT GUILD OF MOTORING WRITERS AWARDS 2018

Guild Awards 2018 - Winners

Award-winning motoring journalists, photographers, broadcasters and authors from the UK and Europe were honoured at the Guild of Motoring Writers’ Annual Awards on Thursday 29 November at the Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall, London.

A record-breaking total of 284 submissions (the most ever received in the 74-year history of the Guild) was entered in the professional categories, with further entries for aspiring young journalists and those making a special contribution to motoring and motorsport. Formula 1 commentator Ben Edwards was Master of Ceremonies for the awards.

The prized ‘Journalist of the Year’ title, supported by Renault, was awarded to John Evans who was singled out for his work that provided brilliant takes on interesting yet under-reported or simply unknown areas of the industry. Erin Baker was second with Christofer Lloyd in third.

The top Motoring Photographer was named as Drew Gibson, while the Motorsport Photographer of the Year was, for the second year running, Jakob Ebrey.

The Mercedes-Benz Montagu of Beaulieu trophy, for the best recording of the history of motoring in the English language, was collected by prolific author and noted Guild historian Karl Ludvigsen, for his comprehensive two-volume history of Reid Railton. Jonathan Wood and Graham Rabagliati were second and third.

In a closely-fought contest, the Newspress Young Writer of the Year was collected by Jack Phillips for a series of innovative reports with fresh angles and clever ideas – such as how the world of gaming is impacting on driver skills on the race track.

The ever-popular Feature Writer of the Year category, sponsored by British Car Auctions, attracted a massive 42 entries. The winner was Richard Webber for a feature that combined a road test with a visit to Jim Clark’s hometown.

Staying with motorsport, the Peugeot Motorsport Cup was won by Germany-based overseas Guild member Vaishali Dinakaran for her varied work in the field – including driving a Renault Formula 1 race car.

Courage and endurance are two of the qualities looked for in the Guild’s Driver of the Year. This year, these were very much in evidence from winner Billy Monger, who battled back from a horrific accident which resulted in him losing both legs, to return to single-seater racing. He received a standing ovation as he walked to the stage to collect his award.

Collecting the Rider of the Year trophy was British Superbike runner-up and soon to be Moto2 contender Jake Dixon.

Away from the world of journalism, the Guild’s award for a Special Contribution to Motoring, sponsored by Kia, was presented to Matthew Avery, head of research at Thatcham, for their contribution over 50 years to vehicle safety and security.

Author and Guild Benevolent fund-raiser Giles Chapman was recognised for his work over many years with the Pemberton Tankard.

The final presentation of the night was the President’s Trophy which was awarded to Aston Martin president and chief executive Dr Andy Palmer for his work in reviving the fortunes of the famous British brand.

GUILD AWARDS 2018 – WINNERS AND HIGHLY COMMENDED

AA Campaigning Journalist of the Year

Winner: Alex Grant

Highly Commended: Louise Cole and Maria McCarthy

GOMW Photographer of the Year – General

Winner: Drew Gibson

Highly Commended: Olgun Kordal and Matt Howell

GOMW Photographer of the Year – Motorsport

Winner: Jakob Ebrey

Highly Commended: Kel Edge and Jayson Fong

British Car Auctions Feature Writer of the Year

Winner: Richard Webber

Highly Commended: James Taylor and Rachel Boagey

Peter James Insurance Editor of the Year

Winner: Laurie Caddell

Highly Commended: Ben Klemenzson and Chris Rees

GKN Driveline Consumer Journalist of the Year

Winner: Claire Evans

Highly Commended: Maria McCarthy and Christofer Lloyd

IAM RoadSmart Safety Award

Winner: David Williams

Highly Commended: Louise Cole and Gustavo Ruffo

Market Engineering Award for Automotive Technology Journalism

Winner: Nick Hull

Highly Commended: Jorn Madslien and John Evans

Mercedes-Benz Award for the Montagu of Beaulieu Trophy

First: Karl Ludvigsen

Second: Jonathan Wood

Third: Graham Rabagliati

Newspress Young Writer of the Year

Winner: Jack Phillips

Highly Commended: Alex Kalinauckas and Sophie Williamson-Stothert

Peugeot Motorsport Cup

Winner: Vaishali Dinakaran

Highly Commended: James Taylor and Dan Trent

Prova PR Business Writer of the Year

Winner: Nick Gibbs

Highly Commended: Lem Bingley and Martin Kahl

Renault UK / The Guild of Motoring Writers’ Journalist of the Year

First: John Evans

Second: Erin Baker

Third: Christofer Lloyd

RM Sotheby’s Classic Writer of the Year

Winner: Mick Walsh

Highly Commended: Sam Dawson and Greg MacLeman

Guild Driver of the Year

Billy Monger

Guild Rider of the Year

Jake Dixon

President’s Trophy

Dr Andy Palmer (President and CEO, Aston Martin)

Special Commendation for a Contribution to Motoring sponsored by Kia

Thatcham Research

Phil Llewellin Student Journalist of the Year sponsored by CAR

Winner: Emily Macbeth

Highly Commended: Guy Hirst and Jake Horton

Sir William Lyons Award sponsored by Jaguar

Winner: Luke Chillingsworth

Highly Commended: Nathan Hine and Alex Whitworth

Pemberton Trophy

Giles Chapman