Entries are now open for the 2021 Guild of Motoring Writers Awards, with the winners’ presentation planned at a black tie dinner at the Royal Automobile Club in December.
The period for submitting entries will last until midnight on Thursday 30 September and, following judging, finalists will be announced in November. Work published between 15 December 2020 (the submission deadline for the delayed 2020 awards) and 30 September 2021 will be eligible for consideration.
Preparations are under way for the awards presentation to return to its traditional home at the Royal Automobile Club early in December, a year after Covid restrictions meant our awards were held online.
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 Mercedes-Benz Award for the Montagu of Beaulieu Trophy. The closing date for entries is 30 September 2021. 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: http://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: [email protected]
The awards categories and criteria are as follows:
AA Campaigning for Safety Award
Open to Guild members only
£500 plus trophy
Introduced in 2020, this award mergers the previous Campaigning Journalism and Safety awards, the scope of this category is wide and entries should focus on areas of safety such as road and motorway conditions or design; safety of road users whether in vehicles, on cycles or pedestrians; cycling; the environment including pollution and new technology; infrastructure and maintenance; car parking; young drivers; legislation. The judges will be looking for a piece of writing that provokes, challenges or encourages real change among authorities, car makers and road-users in general and which shows depth of passion and commitment for the safety of all whether inside or outside a vehicle.
Audi Photographic Awards
Open to Guild members only
£250 in each category plus trophies
There are two categories, General and Motorsport, each of which carries a £250 prize.
Entrants in each category supply a portfolio of six images taken on assignment during the eligible period which have been submitted for publication – although they do not necessarily have to have been published. Supporting material showing published photographs is encouraged. Photographers can enter both the general and the motorsport categories.
The judges are looking for an innovative or instinctive angle on photographing vehicles or motorsport action in all its diverse outlets. The winner will be selected for his or her range of photographic techniques across the full selection of their entered work.
BCA Feature Writer of the Year
Open to Guild members only
£500 plus trophy
For the best general feature (not regular column) dealing with any aspect of the motoring scene by a Guild member. The judges are looking for a feature that takes a fresh or novel approach to a topic and one which demonstrates well researched material that is both entertaining and informative.
Candidates are required to enter just one feature for consideration.
Bentley Editor of the Year
Open to Guild members only
£500 plus trophy
First presented in 2010 this award goes to the editor who demonstrates they have balanced the demands of publishers and readers while nurturing journalistic talent and successfully making the critical decisions that turn a good publication into a great one.
The judges are looking for strong leadership, innovations in the approach to editing and a keen understanding of the target audience and their requirements as well as supporting the development of their staff.
CNH Industrial Commercial Vehicle Writer of the Year
Open to Guild members only
£500 plus trophy
Returning for 2021, this award is presented for features that best represent the world of commercial vehicles. These can either be on the latest innovations in vehicle technology or innovative use of commercial vehicles in day to day business. The judges are looking for a fresh and interesting approach to the subject.
Genesis Award for Automotive Technology Journalism
Open to Guild members only
£500 plus trophy
Recognising engineering excellence for technical audiences, the judges are looking for an ability to write features that are valued by specialists in the subject yet which are also interesting and easily accessible to non-specialists.
Mercedes-Benz Award for the Montagu of Beaulieu Trophy
Open to Guild members and non-members
1st £500 and two years’ free Guild membership
2nd £200 and one year’s free Guild membership
3rd £100 and one year’s free Guild membership
This award, open to Guild and non-Guild writers, is presented to the person judged to have made the greatest contribution to recording, in the English language, the history of motoring or motorcycling in books.
Prova PR Business Writer of the Year
Open to Guild members only
£500 plus trophy
This award recognises excellence among Guild members who work in business media, both print and online. Judges will be looking for clarity of writing and well researched articles that help readers understand the complexities of the business side of the UK auto industry from a retail, fleet or manufacturing perspective.
RAC EV Consumer Journalist of the Year
Open to Guild members only
£500 plus trophy
For the most outstanding example of electric vehicle (EV) consumer journalism by a Guild member. The judges will be looking for an article (or series of articles) specifically related to consumer use of EVs that are informative, innovative and also entertaining, but not a vehicle review.
We classify an EV as a vehicle that uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for propulsion. An electric vehicle may be powered through a collector system by electricity from off-vehicle sources or may be self-contained with a battery, solar panels, fuel cells or an electric generator to convert fuel to electricity.
RM Sotheby’s Classic Writer of the Year
Open to Guild members only
£500 plus trophy
Presented to the journalist offering the best example of an article or feature (but not books) reporting on the world of classic vehicles of any age. Entries should demonstrate an extensive knowledge of the subject and an interest in promoting the cause of classic motoring, whether it be cars, motorcycles or commercial vehicles. The judges will be looking for material which shows a genuine enthusiasm for the subject and that is both engaging and informative for the reader.
loop/The Guild of Motoring Writers Journalist of the Year
Open to members and non-members
£500 plus trophy
This flagship award is supported by loop, a specialist automotive PR and communications agency. In 2019 a new format was introduced making this an award for the ‘best of the best’ – the judging panel reviewed the entries of all the category winners to select the most outstanding performer. As well as the above awards there will also be presentations for Driver of the Year, Rider of the Year, Guild of Motoring Writers Special Commendation sponsored by Kia, the Pemberton Trophy and the President’s Trophy.
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