An illustrious gathering of motorsport legends took place in London on October 31 as the Royal Automobile Club awarded Prodrive with its esteemed Diamond Jubilee Trophy, marking a monumental occasion at the Pall Mall Clubhouse. The event, attended by iconic drivers and Prodrive veterans, celebrated the 40-year legacy of this British motorsport powerhouse, with memories flowing late into the night of Prodrive’s achievements across rallying, sports-car racing, touring cars, and Formula 1.
The Diamond Jubilee Trophy, originally introduced in 1957 for the Royal Automobile Club’s 60th anniversary, is awarded sparingly to recognize “an outstanding contribution in the field of automotive transport or motorsport.” This year’s accolade represents just the seventh time the Trophy has been bestowed, and the first since 2016.
David Richards, the founder of Prodrive, joined by an array of motorsport icons, reflected on his journey from winning the 1981 World Rally Championship as co-driver to Ari Vatanen to establishing Prodrive three years later. Vatanen, affectionately known as the “Flying Finn,” was present to reminisce with Richards about their victorious past, as was Saeed Al-Hajri, who clinched Prodrive’s inaugural win in the 1984 Qatar International Rally. The event displayed the very Porsche 911 SC RS that Al-Hajri drove to that milestone victory, providing a poignant symbol of Prodrive’s early successes.
The night paid homage to the unforgettable partnership between Colin McRae and Prodrive’s blue-and-gold Subaru Imprezas, with one of McRae’s 1996 WRC cars proudly displayed. Attendees listened as McRae’s father, Jimmy – a five-time British Rally Champion – recounted his son’s golden era. Also present were two central figures from the 1995 World Rally Championship season, co-drivers Derek Ringer and Luis Moya, who shared memories from McRae’s legendary title win with Prodrive, as well as Moya’s experience as co-driver for Carlos Sainz, McRae’s formidable teammate.
Adding to the nostalgia, Robert Reid, who won the World Rally Championship in 2001 alongside the late Richard Burns, and Petter Solberg with co-driver Phil Mills – who claimed their own title just two years later – joined the festivities to remember their own remarkable achievements with Prodrive.
In addition to rallying, Prodrive’s more recent ventures into the grueling Dakar Rally were represented by nine-time World Champion Sébastien Loeb, who has been part of the Prodrive family since 2021. Loeb shared stories of his endurance in the rally, while teammate Cristina Gutiérrez spoke of her thrill in partnering with the motorsport titan as part of Prodrive’s Extreme E team.
The celebrations also honored Prodrive’s triumph in the French Rally Championship with a Prodrive BMW M3, with François Chatriot and members of the championship-winning team in attendance. Prodrive’s extensive success in the British Touring Car Championship was celebrated by racing legends Frank Sytner and Alain Menu, who each contributed to Prodrive’s storied history in the discipline.
David Lapworth, a cornerstone of Prodrive’s success from its early days, spoke on the company’s enduring spirit, while Le Mans 24 Hours class winner Darren Turner reflected on the Prodrive “family,” acknowledging the camaraderie among team members, drivers, and technicians who have collaborated across Prodrive’s many successful ventures.
Receiving the Diamond Jubilee Trophy, David Richards CBE commented, “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. So sometimes it’s the smaller achievements that give the most satisfaction, especially when you beat all the odds.”
Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club, Duncan Wiltshire, shared in Richards’ pride, stating, “We are delighted to honor Prodrive with our Diamond Jubilee Trophy. David’s leadership is truly inspirational, and the results of his skills in organization 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.”
As the night drew to a close, it was clear that Prodrive’s influence in the world of motorsport remains as powerful as ever. From pioneering rally successes to endurance races and beyond, the Diamond Jubilee Trophy stands as a testament to Prodrive’s unmatched dedication and profound legacy within the motorsport world.
