Prize for budding young motoring journalists

By Peter Adams

Motoring Issues

03 June 2009 12:39

Aspiring young car writers searching for a gateway into motoring journalism may want to start typing and enter The Sir William Lyons Award 2009.

The Sir William Lyons Award, which is sponsored by Jaguar and promoted by The Guild of Motoring Writers, is free to enter and open to anyone aged between 17 and 23, of British nationality and resident in the United Kingdom.

The winner will receive a trophy and a cheque for £2000 at the Guild’s annual dinner and awards evening in London. The winner will also receive two years’ probationary membership of The Guild of Motoring Writers, plus the chance to spend some time working at a top motoring or motorsport magazine.

The award, which has been presented annually since 1966 – and won by CAR’s own Tim Pollard – is presented in honour of Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons, with the intention of encouraging young people into automotive journalism.

Two articles need to be submitted. The first is an interview with a figure closely involved with motoring or motorsport, 500 words written as a news story; and a 1000-word article on one of four subjects:

• Does the UK need to have a motor industry?
• What role should the motoring industry play in helping to address today’s environmental issues?
• How will environmental and financial issues change our view of cars, the kind of cars we buy and the way we use them?
• Will the Government’s new scrappage scheme help the UK motor industry?

The judges will be looking for flair, style, enthusiasm and journalistic potential.

The deadline for the award is 1 October 2009. Full details of requirements and eligibility are on the entry form, available at www.gomw.co.uk or by email on request from Guild general secretary Patricia Lodge generalsec@gomw.co.uk

By Peter Adams