6 Hours of Silverstone: British drivers target RAC Tourist Trophy

There are few trophies in the world of sport – let alone in motorsport – that can boast the heritage of the Royal Automobile Club’s Tourist Trophy, which was first awarded in 1905.

The world’s oldest motorsport trophy is engraved with the names of sporting luminaries such as Tazio Nuvolari, Stirling Moss, Graham Hill and Derek Bell to name but a few, and since 2012 has been awarded to the winners of the FIA World Endurance Championship season opener, the 6 Hours of Silverstone.

Last week seven of the championship’s British drivers and WEC CEO Gérard Neveu joined the RAC Club’s Chairman of the Motoring Committee Peter Read, other senior club figures, members and selected media for a special dinner to celebrate the Tourist Trophy’s history and its links to the WEC’s British round.  

Drivers present were:  Anthony Davidson (Toyota Gazoo Racing, LMP1), Oliver Webb (ByKolles Racing, LMP1), Oliver Jarvis and Alex Brundle (Jackie Chan DC Racing, LMP2), Harry Tincknell (Ford Chip Ganassi Team UK, LMGTE Pro), James Calado (AF Corse Ferrari, LMGTE Pro), Ben Barker (Gulf Racing, LMGTE Am).

Gérard Neveu spoke about the importance of the Trophy and its connection to the WEC: “You only have to see the names engraved on the trophy, and step through the doors of the RAC in Pall Mall to appreciate the history, and motorsport’s place in that history.  We are very privileged to be part of it, and really appreciate the opportunity for the WEC to have its name associated with the magnificent Tourist Trophy.” 

Oxfordshire-based Davidson lifted the Trophy in 2014, a memory he holds dearly, and he and his Toyota team mates plus all the Porsche LMP drivers will be competing not just for the victory but also the opportunity to add their names to the roll call of honour underneath the golden figure of Hermes.

“Having your name on that trophy is really special, it’s in incredibly good company when you look at the names on it, dating back to 1905,” said Davidson.

“It’s not something you think about before you enter the event, it’s something that hits you only when you’re standing on the podium and you suddenly remember that this is coming as well.”

Harry Tincknell acknowledges that he is unlikely to win the Tourist Trophy in his LMGTE Ford GT, but that doesn’t diminish his enjoyment of the event in the slightest.

“I love racing at Silverstone, because it’s my favourite track. Maggots and Becketts is the best section of corners in motorsport in my opinion, but there’s also the fact that it’s my home race which is great because I have all my family and friends there,” he said.

“Maybe one day I might be fighting for the Tourist Trophy myself, but it’s great that we’re still maintaining that history and hopefully one day I will see my name there alongside Anthony’s and all the other legends of the past.”

Harry Tincknell of Ford Chip Ganassi Team UK being interviewed by John Hindhaugh