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For 2026 we're delighted to introduce a brand-new Youth Initiative award, recognising organisations and initiatives that are inspiring, educating and developing the next generation of people entering the historic motoring world.

The International Historic Motoring Awards celebrates the very best people, businesses, organisations and events from across the global collector car community.


How to Enter:

To get started, select the award category below that best fits the person, organisation, vehicle or event you'd like to enter.

Entries are free to submit.

You'll be asked to create a free account (or sign in if you've already registered). This allows you to start your awards entry, save your progress and return at any time before the closing date to complete or edit it.

You can submit multiple entries across as many award categories as you wish, and there's no need to complete them all in one session. Simply save your progress and come back whenever you're ready before the entry deadline.

Eligibility Period: Entries must relate to achievements, projects or work undertaken between 18 September 2025 to 18 September 2026. 

Entry Deadline is Friday 18th Sept 2026

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PEOPLE 

Brand new for 2026, this award recognises an individual or organisation creating opportunities for young people to discover careers and lifelong passions within the classic and collector vehicle sector. This may include apprenticeships, mentoring, training programmes, educational outreach, restoration projects or skills development initiatives delivered since 18th September 2025.
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Judging Criteria

Demonstrable commitment to attracting young people into the sector.

Quality and originality of the programme.

Number of participants reached and outcomes achieved.

Long-term sustainability.

Partnerships with schools, colleges, museums or industry.

Innovation in addressing skills shortages.

Evidence of careers, apprenticeships or continued involvement resulting from the initiative.

Wider benefit to the historic motoring community.

Recognising an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the collector car community through their passion, leadership, expertise or dedication since 18th September 2025. Whether through their personal endeavors, work or volunteering.
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Judges will consider:

  • Overall contribution during the eligibility period (since October 2025)
  • Leadership and influence
  • Lasting impact on the collector car community
  • Innovation or achievement
  • Dedication beyond normal expectations
  • Inspiration provided to others
  • Contribution to preserving automotive heritage

VEHICLE 

The award for the most significant one-off or low-volume new car that has been launched since 18th September 2025, whether fully coachbuilt, created from scratch or adapted into a tasteful restomod.
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Judging Criteria:

  • Design excellence
  • Engineering quality
  • Craftsmanship
  • Innovation
  • Respect for heritage (where appropriate)
  • Quality of execution
  • Overall significance

Recognising the business that has demonstrated outstanding achievement, innovation or leadership within the collector car industry Since 18th September 2025

From restorers to auction houses, parts suppliers to dealers, engineers to insurers, specialists are the backbone of the collector car world.

This award celebrates businesses that have achieved exceptional success, introduced new ideas or significantly enhanced standards within the industry.
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Judging Criteria:

  • Innovation
  • Business achievement
  • Customer service Contribution to the hobby
  • Investment
  • Industry leadership
  • Reputation

Recognising the most exceptional restoration completed over the past year. Judges will consider projects completed since 18th September 2025 that demonstrate extraordinary attention to detail, historical research, craftsmanship, provenance and technical excellence, regardless of vehicle age, value or rarity.
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Judging Criteria:

  • Craftsmanship
  • Historical accuracy
  • Research
  • Mechanical excellence
  • Quality of finish
  • Respect for originality
  • Difficulty of project
  • Documentation

ORGANISATION 

For the outstanding automotive book published since 18th September 2025, whether focused on history, marque, personality, or photography. The winning title should demonstrate excellence in research, writing, design, production quality, and contribution to automotive culture.
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Judging Criteria:

  • Originality
  • Quality of research Writing
  • Photography
  • Design
  • Production values
  • Contribution to automotive history

This award recognises creators and organisations that have used digital media to educate, entertain and engage audiences through outstanding content. This can include websites, social media, video channels, podcasts, streaming platforms or apps that have shown innovation, creativity, engagement, and impact since 18th September 2025
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Judging Criteria:

  • Creativity
  • Audience engagement
  • Production quality
  • Innovation
  • Educational value
  • Growth
  • Overall impact

Car clubs remain the heart of the hobby, bringing enthusiasts together while preserving knowledge, vehicles and friendships.

This award celebrates the car club, big or small, that has made a significant achievement since 18th September 2025, whether through celebrating a significant anniversary, improving member benefits or anything else that the club and its members can be proud of.
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Judging Criteria:

  • Member engagement
  • Events Innovation
  • Membership growth
  • Preservation of heritage
  • Community contribution
  • Volunteer commitment
Sponsored by:

Recognising the individual or organisation whose commitment has strengthened the collector car community through advocacy, investment, funding or practical support over the past year. Many individuals and organisations quietly make the collector car world stronger without seeking recognition.

This award celebrates those who, since 18th September 2025, have provided exceptional support through sponsorship, education, campaigning, charitable work, preservation or investment.
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Judging Criteria:

  • Positive impact
  • Leadership
  • Long-term commitment
  • Investment
  • Innovation
  • Collaboration
  • Measurable outcomes

Recognising the museum or collection that has made the greatest achievements since 18th September 2025, whether in special exhibits, additions to the collection, new innovations, or anything else out of the ordinary for the organisation.
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Judging Criteria:

  • Quality of exhibitions
  • Innovation
  • Public engagement
  • Conservation
  • Education
  • Accessibility
  • Significance of collection

EVENT 

Recognising the most successful new collector car event launched since 18th September 2025. Launching a new event is one of the greatest challenges in the collector car world. This award celebrates organisers who have introduced fresh ideas, attracted strong audiences and established a compelling new event with long-term potential.

This award is open to all new events around the world, regardless of size.
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Judging Criteria:

  • Innovation
  • Attendance
  • Quality of organisation
  • Participant feedback
  • Industry impact
  • Commercial success
  • Future potential

The best collector car rally or tour that has taken place since 18th September 2025 regardless of size or location, but demonstrating innovation, participant satisfaction or significant achievement.

This category excludes competitive stage rallies, which should be entered into Motorsport Event of the Year.
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Judging Criteria:

  • Route quality
  • Organisation
  • Participant satisfaction
  • Innovation
  • Hospitality
  • Safety
  • Overall experience

The historic race series that has shown the greatest success, innovation or achievement since 18th September 2025.

Historic racing preserves motorsport's greatest machinery in the environment for which it was created. This award celebrates series that have combined competitive excellence with innovation, professionalism and outstanding competitor experiences.
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Judging Criteria:

  • Competition quality
  • Organisation
  • Innovation
  • Grid quality
  • Spectator appeal
  • Sporting integrity

The world’s best motoring event, whether a festival, concours, one-marque gathering, anniversary celebration or other collector car show. Entrants should demonstrate innovation, success or achievements since 18th September 2025
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Judging Criteria:

  • Visitor experience
  • Innovation
  • Quality of entries
  • Venue Organisation
  • Commercial success
  • Industry impact
  • Media reach

The best collector car competitive motorsport event in the world, across disciplines such as racing, hillclimbing, stage rallies, sprints, drag racing and more, showing innovation or achievements since 18th Septmeber 2025
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Judging Criteria:

  • Sporting quality
  • Organisation
  • Innovation
  • Competitor satisfaction
  • Spectator experience
  • Safety
  • Heritage value
  • Media impact