Torrens Trophy

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.[2][3] 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".[3] The trophy, an eight-pint silver tankard,[4] has been awarded infrequently since 1979 by the Torrens Trophy Nominations Committee, which is composed of a panel of experts;[1][5] it is only presented if, in the opinion of the RAC, the achievement can be justified to deserve the award.[2][5] The winner is honoured at a ceremony at the RAC's Pall Mall clubhouse and headquarters in London.[5][6]

The inaugural recipient was Frederick Lovegrove in 1979.[7] It has been awarded to two organisations in its history,[7] the Transport and Road Laboratory in 1980 for promoting safer motorcycle braking systems,[8] and the German automotive marque BMW nine years later for the development of its anti-lock braking system. Since its establishment, the award has not been presented during four periods in history: from 1982 to 1988, between 1990 to 1997, from 1999 to 2007 and between 2009 and 2012.[7] As of 2019, the accolade has been won fourteen times: Superbike riders have won it four times, with road motorbike racers, Grand Prix motorcycle riders and motorcycle speedway competitors honoured once.[7] The 2019 winner was Tai Woffinden, the three-time Speedway world champion.[2]