Hill takes RAC laurels
After a hard-fought dice, 1996 Formula One World Champion Damon Hill returned to the top step of the podium on 1 November as he was presented with the Royal Automobile Club’s Motoring Book of the Year Award for 2017, for Watching the Wheels: My Autobiography, published by Pan Macmillan.
Hill and wife Georgie were on hand at the London clubhouse in Pall Mall to receive the trophy from RAC Motoring Committee chairman Peter Read, in a special celebration that formed part of the Club’s London Motor Week. “Hats off to everybody who writes, it’s hard graft,” said Damon, whose book was cited for its open and honest account of life before and after racing, and his father Graham. Hill even hinted that it might not be his last: “This one only took 20 years – so I might have another in me over the next 10 years!”
Meanwhile, the judging panel – which included C&SC ’s Mick Walsh – chose to give the Specialist Book Of The Year to Delage: Champion du Monde, from Orep Editions. Delighted co-authors Daniel Cabart and Christophe Pund were praised for their exhaustive research on this underserved marque.