Amazingly, the august RAC Club has been celebrating and championing motoring achievements for more than 125 years and their glitzy clubhouse in exclusive Pall Mall is home to some of the most spectacular motoring trophies, including the British Grand Prix and Tourist Trophy.
Now in their fifth year, the prestigious RAC Historic Awards annually celebrates exceptional events, people, endeavors and innovation in the UK historic motoring sector, a burgeoning growth industry that adds an estimated £18 billion to the British economy each year and generates some 113,000 jobs, many for highly skilled artisan restorers, engineers, and technicians.
Each year worthy award winners are carefully selected by an eminent panel of independent judges taken from the main sectors of the national and international historic motoring world, journalists, organisers, competitors and suppliers, all respected experts in each particular category.
Castle Combe Racing Club was delighted to receive a nomination for their annual historic race meeting, The Autumn Classic, as a candidate for best Competitive Event of 2023. But reaching the final three was not a foregone conclusion of success, as the September race meeting faced two other strong events in the form of the Super Touring Power race meeting at Brands Hatch and VHRA Pendine Sands Hot Rod Races, two stellar competitive meetings with their own unique and popular style.
So, it brought great delight to hear the genial master of ceremonies, inspirational sailor, adventurer, and broadcaster Hanna White, announce The Autumn Classic as category winner.
Introduced in 2012 as the brainchild of former circuit marketing manager the late Rodney Gooch, the Autumn Classic has long been a spectator and competitor favorite, combining a unique mix of competitive historic racing blended with themed feature displays, paddock attractions and entertainment.
The prestigious award – a replica of the iconic Edwardian RAC chrome car badge – was proudly accepted (above) by Cat Dall’Occo Racing Club manager, George Marshallsay Circuit marketing manager, and Ken Davies, Club Chairman, who were interrogated by Hannah White about the event and Circuit.
Together with the emblematic RAC Trophy, the award included a framed certificate, magnum of the finest Piper-Heidsieck champagne and the exclusive winners’ logo, which Castle Combe Circuit and Racing Club are now permitted to display on stationery and for marketing purposes, demonstrating the tangible benefits of winning this esteemed annual award.
Next year the Autumn Classic will become a two-day event – 21 & 22 September – so the hard work to retain the trophy has already begun!
