Exclusive summer event at Woodcote Park highlights sensational winners
The second Royal Automobile Club Concours (Wednesday 8 July) built magnificently on the success of last year's award-winning inaugural event and shone a light on exceptional cars and motorcycles rarely seen in public.
At the heart of the concours were seven carefully curated judged categories, each competing for top honours before an esteemed panel of experts that included two of Britain's most distinguished car designers, Ian Callum CBE and Peter Stevens, together with renowned television presenter Richard Hammond.
Winners included a striking Martini-liveried 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.8 RSR Targa Florio winner, a stunning 1985 blue Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV, and a 1932 TT-winning Rudge 500cc motorcycle with Murray Walker provenance.
Under cloudless skies and glorious sunshine, the judges picked another Lamborghini, a 400 GT, as their favourite V12-powered car, and a beautiful Bentley Speed Six as their pre-war masterpiece.
Following the category awards, the Macallan Spirit of the Show and the Chairman's Choice were presented.
The Macallan Spirit of the Show was awarded to a beautifully preserved 1926 Amilcar CO Martin Le Mans, while the Chairman's Choice, presented by Duncan Wiltshire, was awarded to a striking 1970 Plymouth Superbird complete with its arresting rear wing.
Bringing the Concours to a fitting crescendo, the entire judging panel then gathered to announce the coveted Best in Show award, bestowed on a distinctive 1953 Jaguar C-type.
Produced by Jaguar in 1953, the C-type spent its early years racing in Scandinavia wearing Finnish racing colours. It was subsequently purchased by the Moores family of Littlewoods Pools fame and repainted in the more familiar British Racing Green. Later sold to a succession of American owners, the car was eventually acquired by Tony Purnell, who commissioned its meticulous restoration back to its original Finnish racing colours from the 1950s.
Beyond the awards, a series of special feature displays further enriched the event. These included anniversary celebrations honouring the historic Mercedes-Benz, Daimler, Lagonda and Lancia marques, alongside a tribute to pioneering British adventurer and land speed record holder Sir Henry Segrave. Parked close to the fountain outside the front of the magnificent clubhouse, Segrave’s incredible 152mph Land Speed Record breaking Sunbeam ‘Tiger’ from 1926 was a notable head-turner.
Another major centenary was also commemorated. One hundred years ago, the Royal Automobile Club organised Britain's first Grand Prix at Brooklands, a landmark occasion celebrated with a remarkable display spanning ten decades of Grand Prix history. A factory Delage from the inaugural 1926 race stood alongside the 2025 McLaren Formula 1 car raced by Oscar Piastri at the Singapore Grand Prix, where the team clinched the Constructors’ Championship.
The Royal Automobile Club Trophy, presented annually to the winner of the British Grand Prix, was also on display, complete with the name of last Sunday's winner, Charles Leclerc, already engraved on its plinth.
A further highlight was the world premiere of the unique Daytona Shooting Brake Hommage, created by renowned Dutch coachbuilder Niels van Roij Design.
RM Sotheby's also staged its Summer Sale of 44 significant collectors' cars on the adjoining Cedar Lawn after the event, providing an exciting new dimension to the sparkling concours.
"After the immense success of last year, it was very hard to imagine that this year's follow-up could be even bigger and better, but that's exactly what this year's Concours has been at just about every level – it has been fantastic," said a delighted Duncan Wiltshire, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club.
"While the setting, the ambience and the hospitality have been superlative, at the core of the event has been the extraordinary array of cars. Whether owners have been fortunate enough to win a prize or not, I offer a huge heartfelt thank you to everyone who brought these magnificent cars and helped create such a fabulous display here at Woodcote Park. It's now very hard to imagine just how much bigger and even better next year's Concours is going to be."
2026 Royal Automobile Club Concours Award Winners
Shooting Brakes – 1937 Ford V8 Woody (Guy Barnes)
The Woodcote Trophy – 1939 HRG 1.5 litre (Michael Kershaw)
Pre-War Masterpieces – 1930 Bentley Six Saloon (David Little)
Spoiler Alert – 1985 Lamborghini Countach 5000QV (Mike Pullen)
Targa Florio – 1973 Porsche Carrera 2.8 RSR (Private Collection)
V12 Engines – 1966 Lamborghini 400 GT 2+2 (Rory McGregor)
Motorcycles – 1932 Rudge Works 500cc (Mike Farrall)
The Macallan Spirit of the Show – 1926 Amilcar CO Martin Le Mans (Private Collection)
Chairman's Choice – 1970 Plymouth Superbird (Private Collection)
Best in Show – 1953 Jaguar C-type (Tony Purnell)
2026 Royal Automobile Club Partner Award Winners
CARS Supercar Boulevard Award – Ferrari F488 Pista Piloti (Robert Friedrich)
Lockton & Chubb Members’ Paddock Award – Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2 (Anthony Rimaldi)
