Prodrive Honoured at RAC Gathering of Rally Greats
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An incredible line-up of motorsport heroes gathered in London as the Royal Automobile Club presented Prodrive with its Diamond Jubilee Trophy on 31 October, reflecting the great esteem in which the British company is held, as everyone reminisced about 40 years of Prodrive success in rallying, sports-car racing, touring cars and Formula 1 into the early hours.
First awarded in 1957, when the Royal Automobile Club celebrated its 60th anniversary, the Diamond Jubilee Trophy is only occasionally given for ‘An outstanding contribution in the field of automotive transport or motorsport’. This year’s event represented just the seventh time the Trophy has been won, and the first since 2016.
Three years before founding Prodrive, David Richards won the 1981 World Rally Championship as co-driver to Ari Vatanen, and the Flying Finn was on hand to recall their time together. Amongst the other drivers and crew members present that were able to contribute to the Prodrive story were Saeed Al-Hajri who scored Prodrive’s maiden win on the 1984 Qatar International Rally, Colin McRae’s father Jimmy. Derek Ringer, Robert Reid, co-driver to Richard Burns, Petter Solberg, Phil Mills and nine-times World Champion Sébastien Loeb, who talked about their assault on the gruelling Dakar Rally.
As he accepted the trophy, David Richards CBE said, “Succeeding in any form of motorsport is an enormous challenge but we’ve always recruited the best people in the business and had a clear philosophy about everything we do. The culture this has created is one of ‘just make it happen’, yet do it in a way that you will be proud of.”
We are delighted to honour Prodrive with our Diamond Jubilee Trophy,” said Duncan Wiltshire, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club. “David’s leadership is truly inspirational, and the results of his skills in organisation and motivation speak for themselves – as does the fact that so many great names are here to celebrate Prodrive’s ongoing success.
“To excel in just one area of motorsport today is an exceptional achievement, but to do so in so many – and to foster so much talent both behind the wheel and behind the scenes – is a magnificent achievement.”
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