# 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". 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. 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". The trophy, an eight-pint silver tankard, has been awarded infrequently since 1979 by the Torrens Trophy Nominations Committee, which is composed of a panel of experts; it is only presented if, in the opinion of the RAC, the achievement can be justified to deserve the award. The winner is honoured at a ceremony at the RAC's Pall Mall clubhouse and headquarters in London.
The inaugural recipient was Frederick Lovegrove in 1979. It has been awarded to two organisations in its history, the Transport and Road Laboratory in 1980 for promoting safer motorcycle braking systems and the German automotive marque BMW nine years later for the development of its anti-lock braking system for its production motorcycles. Emma Bristow was the first woman motor cyclist to be awarded the accolade when she was named the 2020 recipient. Since its establishment, the award has not been presented during five periods in history: from 1982 to 1988, between 1990 and 1997, from 1999 to 2007, between 2009 and 2012. As of 2022, the accolade has been won seventeen times: Superbike riders have won it four times, with road motorbike racers recognised twice, and Grand Prix motorcycle riders and motorcycle speedway competitors honoured once. The 2023 winner is Moto2 World Championship control three-cylinder engine supplier Triumph Motorcycles Ltd.

## Recipients

Winners of the Torrens Trophy :
| Year | Image | Recipient | Nationality | Citation |
| 1979 | | Frederick Lovegrove | GBR | — |
| 1980 | | Transport and Road Laboratory | GBR | "for its work in promoting safer braking systems for motorcycles" |
| 1981 | | Dave Taylor | GBR | "for his vast contribution to motorcycle road safety" |
| 1982–1988 | Not awarded | Not awarded | Not awarded | Not awarded |
| 1989 | | BMW | GER | "for their contribution to motor cycle safety through their development of their anti-lock braking system" |
| 1990–1997 | Not awarded | Not awarded | Not awarded | Not awarded |
| 1998 | | Ian Kerr | GBR | "for 20-years of tireless work in promoting safe and responsible motorcycling" |
| 1999–2007 | Not awarded | Not awarded | Not awarded | Not awarded |
| 2008 | | James Toseland | GBR | "for his immense contribution to raising the profile of motor cycle racing in this country" |
| 2009–2012 | Not awarded | Not awarded | Not awarded | Not awarded |
| 2013 | | Tom Sykes | GBR | "for being crowned the 15th World Superbike Champion, the fourth from Great Britain and only the second rider to win for Kawasaki in the series for 20 years" |
| 2014 | | Shane Byrne | GBR | "for becoming the first man in history to be crowned MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship on four occasions (2003, 2008, 2012 and 2014)" |
| 2015 | | Ian Hutchinson | GBR | "for his outstanding determination, courage and overcoming adversity to win multiple TTs" |
| 2016 | | Cal Crutchlow | GBR | "for being the first British rider to win a premier class World Championship Motorcycle Grand Prix in 35 years" |
| 2017 | | Jonathan Rea | GBR | "for being the first rider to win three consecutive World Superbike Championships" |
| 2018 | | Tai Woffinden | GBR | "for being the most successful British speedway rider in history" |
| 2019 | | Peter Hickman | GBR | "for his three Isle of Man TT victories and for setting the world's fastest road race lap record of 136.415 miles per hour (219.539 km/h) at the Ulster GP" |
| 2020 | | Emma Bristow | GBR | "for claiming her 7th consecutive FIM Women's Trial World Championship" |
| 2021 | | Crescent Yamaha | GBR | "for winning the riders, teams & manufacturers titles in the 2021 FIM World Superbike Championship" |
| 2022 | | Mike Trimby | GBR | "for his tireless work to improve circuit safety and represent the riders, teams and commercial side of MotoGP" |
| 2023 | | Triumph Motorcycles Ltd | GBR | "for its sterling work in the Moto2 World Championship" |