RAC Tourist Trophy - A rich and relevant history

The drivers and teams will be fighting for the legendary Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy at the 6 Hours of Silverstone this weekend, the first round of the 2015 World Endurance Championship.

Six previous winners of the great trophy are racing here this weekend and five of them joined the Chairman of the Motoring committee – Ben Cussons at a special event welcome press conference at Silverstone today.

Andrea Bertolini (winner in 2006), Anthony Davidson (2014), Emmanuel Collard (1998), Loic Duval (2013) and Pedro Lamy (2004) all recalled getting their hands on the impressive trophy and etching their names on to its ornate base.

“The Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy is a very special award with a rich and varied history,” said Cussons. “It is very pleasing for the Trophy to now be awarded to a Championship that celebrates and rewards efficiency and technology like the WEC does. It is has almost come full circle as 110 years ago when it was first awarded, efficiency was the aim of the inaugural event.”

The Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy dates back to 1905 when it was first awarded to John Napier after he won an efficiency race at a Highlands Course in his Arrol-Johnstone car. The actual trophy depicts Hermes, who was the son of Zeus and Maia. He was the swift god, who used his speed for the service of Jupiter. The Trophy is made from 18 carat gold.

“It is nice for it to come almost full circle,” said Cussons. “110 years ago it was a race that rewarded efficiency and now here we are with a wonderful Championship like the WEC.

Among some of the most famous names that have captured the Trophy are Rudolf Caracciola, Carroll Shelby, Tazio Nuvolari, Stirling Moss, Graham Hill and Derek Bell.

The Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy will be presented on the podium after the 6 Hours of Silverstone this Sunday.

You can watch the whole race via the official WEC App by clicking here - http://www.fiawec.com/app.html