Entries are now open for the 2022 Guild of Motoring Writers Awards, with the winners set to be presented with their awards during a black-tie dinner held at the Royal Automobile Club in December.
This year’s awards include two new categories, the Mercedes-Benz Technical Publication of the Year and the Torque Agency Group Business Publication of the Year.
The period for submitting entries will last until midnight on Friday 30th September and, following judging, finalists will be announced in November. Work published between 1st October 2021 and 30th September 2022 will be eligible for consideration.
The awards presentation will be held at its traditional home of the Royal Automobile Club on 1st December, during the Guild’s Annual Dinner, which always features leading figures in automotive journalism and the industry.
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 Suzuki Award for the Montagu of Beaulieu Trophy. The closing date for entries is 30th September 2022. An individual piece of material (such as a story or feature) can only be submitted into one category.
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 Motoring Award
- Open to Guild members only
- £500 plus trophy
New for 2022, this award merges the AA’s previous Campaigning Journalism and Safety awards. The scope of this category is wide and entries should focus on how their writing advances campaigns that impact motorists. From road safety to electric vehicles, or roads maintenance to environmental issues, we want to see examples of how entrants have built and delivered their case to improve the lives of all road users. 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. Judges are also looking for writing that shows depth of passion and commitment to improve the roads for all regardless of whether they are inside or outside a vehicle.
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.
Footman James 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.
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.
Iveco Industrial Commercial Vehicle Writer of the Year
- Open to Guild members only
- £500 plus trophy
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.
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 reviews the entries of all the category winners to select the most outstanding performer.
Mercedes-Benz Technical Publication of the Year
- Open to members and non-members
- £500 plus trophy
New for 2022, this award is open to technology publications that have shown an increased focus on automotive. The judges are looking for publications that have successfully translated automotive content with a focus on cutting-edge technology and innovation to a consumer audience that they can easily understand.
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.
Prodrive Motorsport Cup
- Open to Guild members only
- £500 plus trophy
The award recognises an outstanding achievement by a Guild member in the world of motorsport either writing about or competing in motorsport at any level.
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 Journalist of the Year
- Open to Guild members only
- £500 plus trophy
For the most outstanding example of electric vehicle (EV) journalism by a Guild member. The judges will be looking for an article (or series of articles) specifically related to the use of EVs that are informative, innovative and also entertaining, but not a vehicle review.
We classify an EV as a vehicle where power to the wheels is provided by one or more electric motors, using electricity generated on or off the vehicle.
Suzuki 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 members, 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.
Torque Agency Group Business Publication of the Year
- Open to members and non-members
- £500 plus trophy
New for 2022, this award is open to all automotive business media publications, be they retail, fleet, commercial vehicle, engineering, aftersales, supply chain or manufacturing. Judges are looking for clarity in editing, design and writing together with well-researched content which helps readers understand the complexities of the business side of the UK auto industry, as well as examples of innovative approaches titles have taken to embrace digital channels to help them engage and inform their audiences.
As well as the above awards there will also be presentations for the Driver of the Year, Rider of the Year, The Guild of Motoring Writers’ Special Commendation sponsored by Kia, the Pemberton Trophy and the President’s Trophy.
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