FINAL CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: THE ROYAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB DEWAR TROPHY
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 via email.