The Royal Automobile Club is issuing a final call for nominations for the prestigious Dewar Trophy, with the closing date set for Tuesday 30 September 2025.
This historic award, first presented to the Club in 1904 by Sir Thomas Dewar MP, recognises outstanding British technical achievement in the automotive industry. It is only awarded in years when the Club’s Technical Committee identifies contenders of sufficient merit – making it one of the rarest and most distinguished accolades in automotive engineering.
Previous winners include some of the most celebrated names in motoring history. The first recipients, in 1906, were Dennis Brothers Limited of Guildford, whose 20hp car covered 4,000 miles. The most recent recipient, in 2024, was Cosworth, recognised for its development of ultra-high-performance internal combustion engines powering some of the world’s most exciting hypercars.
Since 1957, the Dewar Trophy has been awarded for outstanding British technical achievement in the automotive field during the preceding year, or for developments that have reached a significant stage of application or utilisation.
Eligible Fields for Nomination
Entries are invited across all aspects of automotive innovation, including (but not limited to):
- Internal combustion engine cycle efficiency improvements
- Race car technology
- Hybrid powertrains
- Fuel cells
- Lightweight structures
- Vehicle electronics and electrical systems
- Intelligent transport systems
- Material developments
- Safety and sustainability
- Vehicle aerodynamics
Simms Silver Medal – Also Open for Nominations
The Committee is also inviting nominations for the Simms Silver Medal, which honours outstanding contributions to motoring innovation by individuals or small companies. Named after the Club’s founding member Frederick Simms, the award celebrates genuine, innovative contributions to motoring. The most recent recipient, in 2024, was Maeving, for its British-designed and built electric motorcycles.
Judging Panel
All nominations will be rigorously reviewed by the Dewar Technical Committee, made up of leading experts from across the automotive industry.
-
- Ben Cussons, Chairman of the Dewar Technical Committee
- Steve Cropley, Editor-in-Chief, Autocar
- Pat Symonds, Motor Racing Engineer
- Professor David Greenwood, University of Warwick
- Dan Parry-Williams, Director of IQUAD Technology and past winner
A Legacy of Innovation
Over more than a century, the Dewar Trophy has recognised landmark achievements in automotive engineering. Recipients include Rover (1950, gas-turbine cars), Dunlop (1957, disc brakes), Alec Issigonis and the British Motor Corporation (1959, the Mini), and Keith Duckworth (1969, Cosworth DFV engine).
More recent winners include Ford (2012, EcoBoost engine), Gordon Murray Design (2016, iStream technology), JCB (2021, ABH2 hydrogen engine), Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains (2022, F1 powertrain in the Mercedes-AMG ONE), and YASA (2023, axial-flux electric motor).
How to Enter
The Dewar Trophy is free to enter, but entries must be received by Tuesday 30 September 2025.
- Submissions should include a supporting statement of up to 500 words, contact details, and any substantiating evidence.
- Shortlisted contenders will be invited to an interview with the Technical Committee.
The winner will be announced at a ceremony at the Royal Automobile Club’s Pall Mall clubhouse in London on Tuesday 28 October 2025.
Don’t miss the chance to have your achievement recognised alongside the most celebrated names in engineering history. Submit your nomination today to Jemma Rowe, email: Jemma.rowe@royalautomobileclub.co.uk
The Royal Automobile Club
The Royal Automobile Club was founded in 1897 and its distinguished history mirrors that of motoring itself. In 1907 the Club was awarded its Royal title by King Edward VII, sealing its status as Britain’s oldest and most influential motoring organisation.
The Club’s early years were focused on promoting the motor car and its place in society, which developed into motoring events such as the 1000 Mile Trial, first held in 1900. In 1905, the Club held the first Tourist Trophy, which remains the oldest continuously competed-for motorsport event. The Club promoted the first pre-war and post-war Grands Prix at Brooklands in 1926 and Silverstone in 1948 respectively, while continuing to campaign for the rights of the motorist, including introducing the first driving licences.
Today, the Club continues to develop and support automobilism through representation on the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and RAC Foundation while promoting its own motoring events including London Motor Week each October, which culminates in the RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.
The Royal Automobile Club awards a series of historic trophies and medals celebrating motoring achievements. These include the Segrave Trophy, the Tourist Trophy, the Dewar Trophy, the Simms Medal, the Torrens Trophy and the Diamond Jubilee Trophy.
