The Royal Automobile Club has unveiled an impressive panel of judges for its first-ever Concours d’Elegance. The judging panel features revered car designers, legendary racing drivers, and beloved television personalities – all united by a shared passion for motoring, past and present.
Set against the idyllic backdrop of the Club’s Woodcote Park estate in Epsom, the event will take place on Wednesday, 9 July. The Concours promises a celebration of automotive excellence, styled as a classic English garden party.
The main Concours d’Elegance will comprise seven captivating and diverse classes, with expert judges selecting a winner in each category, along with the highly coveted Best in Show award.
The Chairman of the Judges will be Club Vice President Ben Cussons, who will lead the proceedings and be instrumental in guiding the panel through the deliberations to the final winners.
The Grand Tourers category will be adjudicated by historic motorsport competitor and concours curator Vanessa Marçais. The glamorous Riviera class will be judged by television personality and classic car enthusiast Alan Titchmarsh CBE, alongside RM Sotheby’s Director of Research, Michael Squire.
The Mille Miglia tribute class will see influential designer Marc Newson CBE RDI partnering with seasoned historic racer Katarina Kyvalova. Meanwhile, five-time Le Mans winner Derek Bell MBE and Georgina Wood – Managing Director of Rolls-Royce specialist P&A Wood – will assess the elegant entries in the Coachbuilder’s Art and Limousines category.
Two final classes complete the set: Peter Stevens, designer of the McLaren F1 and Jaguar XJR-15, will oversee the London to Brighton veterans with Allan Winn, vice-president of the Brooklands Museum, while motorcycle enthusiast and collector Michael Quinn, the grandson of Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons.
“We are delighted that our inaugural Concours has attracted such a distinguished panel of judges. It’s a reflection of the Club’s esteem in the industry and the outstanding quality of automobiles on display,” said Duncan Wiltshire, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club. “Selecting a Best in Show will be no easy task, but we are confident the award will be bestowed upon something very special.”
Following the judging, a prize-giving ceremony will honour all class winners, followed by a spectacular procession of the winning cars.
Club members have also been invited to display their own treasured cars in the Lockton Members’ Paddock or in the RM Sotheby’s Supercar Boulevard. In total, over 200 extraordinary automobiles will be on display, spanning more than a century of motoring excellence.
Six special Feature displays will complement the six central Concours categories, all detailed at the end of this new feature.
Many of these rare cars come from the private collections of Club members, alongside prestigious contributions from museums, notable collectors, and global enthusiasts.
Royal Automobile Club Concours d’Elegance: Category Descriptions
Grand Tourers: There and Back
Judges: Vanessa Marçais
Celebrating the stylish speed of Grand Touring cars, this class spans the golden years from the late 1930s to the 1960s – an era when traversing continents in power and luxury was the ultimate motoring dream.
Riviera: Great Rays of Sunshine
Judges: Michael Squire & Alan Titchmarsh CBE
Evoking open-top motoring along the Mediterranean coast, this class pays tribute to cars designed to be seen and admired, echoing the elegance of the Riviera lifestyle.
Mille Miglia: 1000 Miles on the Clock
Judges: Katarina Kyvalova & Marc Newson CBE RDI
A salute to the legendary endurance race from Brescia to Rome and back. This class features some genuine participants from both the original (1927-1957) and revived (post-1977) eras, each car telling a story through its patina and provenance.
Coachbuilder’s Art: Handmade Perfection
Judges: Georgina Wood & Derek Bell MBE
This category celebrates coachbuilt masterpieces – unique or limited-production cars from the 1920s to 1950s – defined by handcrafted bodywork and artisanal design.
Limousines: The ‘Being Driven’ Big Beasts
Judges: Georgina Wood & Derek Bell MBE
Luxurious, chauffeur-driven icons such as the Mercedes-Benz 600 take centre stage here, along with red-carpet models from Rolls-Royce and Daimler.
Pioneers: RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Cars
Judges: Allan Winn & Peter Stevens
A nod to the world’s longest-running motoring event. This summer display features pioneering vehicles that regularly brave the famous autumn drive from London to Brighton.
Looks a Pillion Dollars: The Club’s Most Beautiful Motorbikes
Judges: Michael Quinn & Maria Costello MBE
An eclectic showcase of the most cherished motorcycles from Club members’ collections – spanning over a century and highlighting design, rarity and charisma.
Royal Automobile Club Concours: Feature Displays
75 Years of the Formula 1 World Championship
A celebration of Britain’s contribution to F1, featuring iconic race cars, a historic timeline, and the golden Royal Automobile Club Trophy as awarded to winners of the British Grand Prix.
125 Years of The 1000 Mile Trial
Showcasing the pioneering vehicles that tackled the Club’s legendary 1900 reliability trial. Few events better demonstrated early automotive endurance and innovation.
120 Years of the Tourist Trophy
The world’s oldest and most continuously awarded motoring trophy is honoured with a display of winning cars that span from chain-driven machines to modern hybrids.
75 Years of British Motoring
A tribute to the milestone year of 1950, featuring key British models such as the Jaguar MkVII, Aston Martin DB2 and Jowett Jupiter.
75 Years of BRM
Commemorating British Racing Motors’ F1 heritage, including the Graham Hill championship-winning BRM “Old Faithful” and an authentic reproduction of the extraordinary V16.
100 Years of Phantom
A majestic retrospective of all eight generations of the Rolls-Royce Phantom – an enduring symbol of luxury and engineering brilliance.
While Club members and their guests are warmly welcomed, this will also be the first time Woodcote Park opens its gates to the wider public.
A limited number of tickets are available through selected car clubs and motoring organisations. Those without an invitation code may apply via: [email protected].
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