Timo Makinen in a Mini Cooper S

The Timo Makinen Award is presented annually by the Guild of Motoring Writers, the foremost association of motoring writers in the UK. Originally awarded for outstanding performance in rallying, the citation was amended in 1984 to recognise outstanding motorsport coverage by a Guild member during the year.

The award is named after the original 'flying Finn', Timo Makinen (right), who was a top-flight rally driver for BMC and Ford in the 1950s and 1960s.

Makinen won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1965 driving a Mini Cooper. He won the Finnish 1000 Lakes rally four times in Mini Coopers and Ford Escorts, and won the RAC Rally three times driving for Ford.

The trophy itself is retained by the Guild, and is usually on display in the Guild's trophy cabinet at Coventry Transport Museum.

Winners of the award are presented with a commemorative pewter tankard.

The Timo Makinen Award is sponsored by Ford Motor Company, and is accompanied by a £1000 cash prize.

Timo Makinen Award winners

2007 Andrew Noakes
2006 David Tremayne
2005 Simon Taylor
2004 Jesse Crosse
2003 Alistair Weaver
2002 Karl Ludvigsen
2001 David Tremayne
2000 Mark James
1999 Hugh Hunston
1998 Mark James
1997 Andrew Charman
1996 Eoin Young
1995 Andrew Charman
1994 Jonathan Gill
1993 Nick Carter
1992 Timothy Collings
1991 Murray Walker
1990 David Tremayne
1989 Michael Cotton
1988 Eoin Young
1987 Maurice Hamilton
1986 Alan Brinton
1985 Alan Henry
1983-4 not awarded
1982 Mike Greasley
1981 Joe Lowrey
1979-80 not awarded
1978 Martin Holmes
1977 Keith Read
1976 Andrew Marriott

Timo Makinen Award 2007