Motor Sport’s 100th anniversary party is the hot ticket in town

More than 250 guests and a galaxy of stars from the track dined at The Dorchester in London in early July to celebrate Motor Sport’s centenary – hosted during the week of the British GP.

With a guest list that reflected both the magazine’s history and breadth of coverage, attendees included former F1 drivers David Brabham, Martin Brundle, David Coulthard mbe, Allan McNish, Jonathan Palmer, Tiff Needell and John Watson mbe, Le Mans winners Richard Attwood, James Calado and Derek Bell mbe, plus BTCC heroes Steve Soper and Jason Plato.

Two wheels were represented by TT lap record holder John McGuinness mbe and Wayne Gardner. Motor Sport editor Joe Dunn introduced guest of honour Sir Jackie Stewart obe who spoke about how his own career had been inextricably entwined with that of the magazine and its continental correspondent Denis Jenkinson.

Other notable guests at the celebrations came from right across the racing spectrum, from avid enthusiasts such as television personality Rowan Atkinson cbe and Goodwood Festival of Speed founder the Duke of Richmond to past and present team owners including Ross Brawn obe, Eddie Jordan obe and David Richards cbe.

As well as celebrating Motor Sport’s long history the evening also looked to the future with a special innovation award, sponsored by Diriyah, the location of Formula E’s Saudi Arabian rounds, and which was presented to Formula E for its work in driving sustainable racing.

The main award of the evening was based on a vote in which thousands of Motor Sport readers and subscribers (including stars of the F1 grid) had taken part. The poll to find the magazine’s Race Car of the Century (for results see Your votes are in, August) was sponsored by watchmaker Richard Mille and won by the Lotus 49.

“The line-up of cars for the readers of Motor Sport to vote for was spectacular, so for the Lotus 49 to come out on top is just fantastic,” said Clive Chapman, who now keeps his father Colin’s legacy alive via his Classic Team Lotus organisation.

Dunn also paid tribute to Edward Atkin cbe, owner of Motor Sport – and a reader of the title since his teens – for his “passion and vision in supporting the magazine”.

“Right from its very first edition as The Brooklands Gazette all those years ago, Motor Sport has always been a revered title and now, 100 summers on, we are proud to have honoured its remarkable centenary in such terrific style and in such illustrious company,” Dunn added. “As Damon Hill said earlier, ‘We are all tickled pink.’”

Racing’s finest descend on The Dorchester to celebrate our 100th anniversary in style