The Motor Sports Association (MSA) and Renault UK are delighted to announce that Scott Mitchell and Jayson Fong have been named the Renault MSA Young Journalist and Photographer of the Year respectively.
Established in 2002, the awards are designed to recognise the most promising journalists and photographers aged 30 or under working within British motor sports. The 2015 competition was one of the fiercest to date, with 23 entries across both awards.
Mitchell, aged 23 from Surrey, is currently features editor of Autosport. He receives the journalism award for the second year in a row and becomes the first person ever to win twice, having submitted a portfolio showcasing his wide-ranging strengths in news hunting, feature writing, race reporting and professional development.
Mitchell said: “Winning the award for a second time is something I genuinely didn't think would happen. It's a tough ask to produce the kind of work that's up to Autosport's high standards, and to be recognised by Renault and the MSA for what I have done over the past year is fantastic and greatly appreciated. There are more and more aspiring journalists making names for themselves covering UK motor sports – I'm hoping some of them join me at Autosport so we can make this award our own!”
Fong, aged 24 from Australia but now living in Kent, wins the photography award at the first attempt. His outstanding photographs of both modern and historic motor sports combine technical and artistic excellence, and his work has already been published in leading industry titles.
Fong said: “I'm absolutely thrilled to have won and feel very privileged. After moving to the UK in 2014 to chase my dream of becoming a motor sports photographer, this really means a lot to me, especially against so many talented photographers! It has definitely pushed me to continue the chase and I'm looking forward to covering next season! I'd also like to thank all my friends and family who have supported me along the journey so far.”
Jeremy Townsend, Group Renault UK Communications Director, added: “As usual, both awards presented us with a real predicament. The standard of entries is so high but, along with my fellow judges, it’s a real pleasure to go through the quality of entries. Scott and Jayson well deserve their success and will join an honoured list of previous winners. At Group Renault UK, and with the MSA, we are proud to be able to aid their career by supporting these great awards.”
Both Mitchell and Fong will receive a trophy and a cheque for £1,000, courtesy of Renault UK, at the MSA Night of Champions ceremony at the Royal Automobile Club in London on 30 January. They will also receive a year’s provisional membership of the Guild of Motoring Writers, the world’s largest association of automotive editorial professionals.
Five other outstanding submissions were designated ‘Highly Commended’ – the following young journalists and photographers will also receive a year’s provisional membership of the Guild of Motoring Writers:
Jack Benyon, Motorsport News (journalist)Russell Hayes, Motorsport News (journalist)Dan Bathie, freelance (photographer)Tom Loomes, freelance (photographer; winner 2013)Zak Mauger, LAT (photographer)Adam Pigott, freelance (photographer; winner 2014).
Previous winners:
2014Journalist: Scott Mitchell, AutosportPhotographer: Adam Pigott, freelance
2013Journalist: Alex Harmer, Motor Sport MagazinePhotographer: Tom Loomes, freelance
2012Journalist: Jason Craig, Coleraine ChroniclePhotographer: Nick Dungan, freelance
2011Journalist: Dan McCalla, Motorsport NewsPhotographer: Dominic Romney, freelance
2010Journalist: Rob Ladbrook, Motorsport NewsPhotographer: William Neill, freelance
2009Journalist: Ben Anderson, AutosportPhotographer: Dominic Romney, freelance
2008Journalist: Ed Foster, Motor SportPhotographer: Drew Gibson, LAT
2007Journalist: Steven English, AutosportPhotographer: Drew Gibson, LAT
2006 Journalist: Kevin Turner, AutosportPhotographer: Michael Hoyer, freelance
2005Journalist: Glenn Freeman, Motorsport NewsPhotographer: Gavin Ireland, Racecar Engineering
2004Journalist: Gemma Briggs, Racecar/HaymarketPhotographer: Glenn Dunbar, LAT
2003Journalist: Tim Redmayne, Motorsport NewsPhotographer: Jonathan MacDonald, Pacenotes
2002Journalist: Will Gray, Collings SportPhotographer: Jakob Ebrey, Jakob Ebrey Photographic
