The Torrens Trophy is awarded to an individual or organisation for demonstrating "Outstanding Contribution to the Cause or Technical Excellence of Safe and Skilful Motorcycling in the UK".[1] It is named in honour of The Motor Cycle editor and Royal Automobile Club (RAC) vice-president Arthur Bourne, who wrote a column under the pen name Torrens.[3][4] The RAC established the trophy to recognise "outstanding contributions to motor cycle safety" before extending its purpose to include individuals considered to be "the finest motor cyclists".[4] The trophy, an eight-pint silver tankard,[5] has been awarded infrequently since 1979 by the Torrens Trophy Nominations Committee, which is composed of a panel of experts;[1][6] it is only presented if, in the opinion of the RAC, the achievement can be justified to deserve the award.[3][6] The winner is honoured at a ceremony at the RAC's Pall Mall clubhouse and headquarters in London.[6][7]
Torrens Trophy | |
---|---|
Awarded for | "Outstanding Contribution to the Cause or Technical Excellence of Safe and Skilful Motorcycling in the UK"[1] |
Country | United Kingdom |
Presented by | Royal Automobile Club |
First awarded | 1979 |
Currently held by | Triumph Motorcycles Ltd (2023)[2] |
The inaugural recipient was Frederick Lovegrove in 1979.[8] It has been awarded to two organisations in its history,[8] the Transport and Road Laboratory in 1980 for promoting safer motorcycle braking systems[9] and the German automotive marque BMW nine years later for the development of its anti-lock braking system for its production motorcycles.[10] Emma Bristow was the first woman motor cyclist to be awarded the accolade when she was named the 2020 recipient.[11] Since its establishment, the award has not been presented during five periods in history: from 1982 to 1988, between 1990 and 1997, from 1999 to 2007, between 2009 and 2012.[8] As of 2022[update], the accolade has been won seventeen times: Superbike riders have won it four times, with road motorbike racers recognised twice, and Grand Prix motorcycle riders and motorcycle speedway competitors honoured once.[8] The 2023 winner is Moto2 World Championship control three-cylinder engine supplier Triumph Motorcycles Ltd.[2]
Recipients
Year | Image | Recipient | Nationality | Citation[8] | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1979 | Frederick Lovegrove | GBR | — | [8] | |
1980 | Transport and Road Laboratory | GBR | "for its work in promoting safer braking systems for motorcycles"[9] | [9] | |
1981 | Dave Taylor | GBR | "for his vast contribution to motorcycle road safety" | [12] | |
1982–1988 | Not awarded | [8] | |||
1989 | BMW | GER | "for their contribution to motor cycle safety through their development of their anti-lock braking system" | [13] | |
1990–1997 | Not awarded | [8] | |||
1998 | Ian Kerr | GBR | "for 20-years of tireless work in promoting safe and responsible motorcycling" | [13] | |
1999–2007 | Not awarded | [8] | |||
2008 | James Toseland | GBR | "for his immense contribution to raising the profile of motor cycle racing in this country" | [14] | |
2009–2012 | Not awarded | [8] | |||
2013 | Tom Sykes | GBR | "for being crowned the 15th World Superbike Champion, the fourth from Great Britain and only the second rider to win for Kawasaki in the series for 20 years" | [15] | |
2014 | Shane Byrne[a] | GBR | "for becoming the first man in history to be crowned MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship on four occasions (2003, 2008, 2012 and 2014)" | [17] | |
2015 | Ian Hutchinson[b] | GBR | "for his outstanding determination, courage and overcoming adversity to win multiple TTs" | [19] | |
2016 | Cal Crutchlow[c] | GBR | "for being the first British rider to win a premier class World Championship Motorcycle Grand Prix in 35 years" | [7] | |
2017 | Jonathan Rea[d] | GBR | "for being the first rider to win three consecutive World Superbike Championships" | [21] | |
2018 | Tai Woffinden[e] | GBR | "for being the most successful British speedway rider in history" | [3] | |
2019 | Peter Hickman[f] | GBR | "for his three Isle of Man TT victories and for setting the world's fastest road race lap record of 136.415 miles per hour (219.539 km/h) at the Ulster GP" | [24] | |
2020 | Emma Bristow | GBR | "for claiming her 7th consecutive FIM Women's Trial World Championship" | [11] | |
2021 | Crescent Yamaha | GBR | "for winning the riders, teams & manufacturers titles in the 2021 FIM World Superbike Championship" | [25] | |
2022 | Mike Trimby | GBR | "for his tireless work to improve circuit safety and represent the riders, teams and commercial side of MotoGP" | [26] | |
2023 | Triumph Motorcycles Ltd | GBR | "for its sterling work in the Moto2 World Championship" | [2] |