The Gentleman Magazine Issue 18 | December 2019 | Page 41

The Personality category (supported by HERO) had not
one but two winners. In a category for individual personal
achievement, why have a ‘two-person’ winner? It’s simple; twin
brothers Paul and Andrew Wood come as a pair! In 2019 the
twins achieved their long-held dream: the 8.0 Litre Bentley by
Gurney Nutting, owned by Sir Michael Kadoorie, restored by
Paul and Andrew and their team in 2009 and maintained by
them ever since, became the first-ever British-restored car to
win Best in Show at Pebble Beach. The judges felt that winning
the Pebble Beach Concours award with a car they previously
prepared 10 years ago, a British brand and an outstanding
car against a truly world-class field deserved the ultimate
recognition.
The Jim Clark Motorsport Museum, which opened in June this
year, was the winner of the Collection category (supported by
Total), the judges commenting that: “The museum conveys a
sense of place like few others, linking the stories of Jim Clark
and the nearby towns, and encouraging visitors to explore those
links through a trail that takes in his farm and grave, amongst
others. It has done an extraordinary job in attracting over 1,000
visitors a month to Duns, which is not on the normal tourist
trail and requires a committed journey to reach.”
Jeremy Vaughan, Head of Motoring at the Royal Automobile
Club commented: “Tonight’s inaugural Historic Awards
continued the Club’s extensive history of celebrating the
achievements of pioneers and champions of their industry.
The Club congratulates not only our deserved winners but
each of the category finalists too. Furthermore, I would like
to recognise the Club’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner,
Allan Winn who transformed Brooklands into what is now a
remarkable destination with exhibits and attractions that could
only be dreamt of 15 years ago.”
The 2020 Royal Automobile Club Historic Awards will be held
on a similar date next year – nominations will open in the
spring.
For further information please visit the Awards’ website www.
royalautomobileclubhistoricawards.co.uk.
Judging for the Restoration category included a ‘head-to-head’
judging session at which all the finalists were gathered together
at category partner Bicester Heritage. Against stiff competition
the winner was the 1967 Jim Clark Lotus Type 38 Indy car,
restored by owner Nick Fennell and Classic Team Lotus. The
judges commented: “The Lotus just pipped the other finalists
to first place with the team's remarkable attention to detail
and its quest to return 38/7 to 1967 Indy 500 specification –
right down to having the correct spring made for an obscure
fuel valve. The dedication to finding original parts to return
the car to the correct asymmetric suspension, two-speed ZF
transmission and accurate livery is truly inspirational.”
The Gentleman Magazine | 41