The iconic RAC Tourist Trophy will once again take center stage in endurance racing when it is awarded to the winners of the 2027 6 Hours of Silverstone, the third round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), scheduled for April 23–25. The announcement marks the return of one of motorsport’s most treasured awards to the highest level of international endurance competition.
Silverstone, widely regarded as the home of British motorsport, is set to make its long-awaited comeback to the FIA WEC calendar after an absence of nearly ten years. The legendary circuit was a regular fixture on the championship schedule from 2012 through 2019 and now returns at a time when endurance racing is experiencing unprecedented growth worldwide.
The resurgence of the discipline has been fueled by record attendance figures, expanding global audiences, and intense competition among leading automotive manufacturers. The championship currently features 14 major brands competing across the Hypercar and LMGT3 categories, with Ford and McLaren expected to strengthen the field even further when they join the top class in 2027.
Against this backdrop, Silverstone provides an ideal venue for the presentation of the RAC Tourist Trophy—recognized as the oldest trophy in automobile racing. Inspired by Giambologna’s Renaissance depiction of Hermes and adorned with 18-carat gold, the trophy remains one of the most prestigious honors in motorsport.
Established by the Royal Automobile Club, the Tourist Trophy was originally created to celebrate not only speed but also reliability, efficiency, and engineering innovation. Over more than a century, it has become one of racing’s most coveted prizes, symbolizing excellence in every aspect of competition.
Its list of past winners reads like a who’s who of motorsport history. Legendary drivers such as Sir Stirling Moss, Rudolf Caracciola, Tazio Nuvolari, Mike Hawthorn, Graham Hill, Denny Hulme, Derek Bell, Tom Kristensen, Allan McNish, and Le Mans winner Mike Conway have all claimed the honor. Renowned manufacturers including Aston Martin, Ferrari, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche also feature prominently among its distinguished recipients.
First contested on the Isle of Man in 1905, the Tourist Trophy began as a road-racing event before evolving alongside the sport and moving to permanent racing venues such as Goodwood and later Silverstone. Over time, it became closely associated with touring car, sports car, and endurance racing.
Since the early 1970s, Silverstone has developed a particularly strong connection with the trophy, hosting more Tourist Trophy races than any other circuit. The Northamptonshire venue was also the site of seven of the eight FIA WEC races previously held in the United Kingdom.
Now, more than 120 years after its creation, the RAC Tourist Trophy continues to represent the values that define endurance racing—determination, technical innovation, teamwork, and sporting achievement. Its return to Silverstone in 2027 will create a powerful bridge between the sport’s rich heritage and its exciting future.
Contents
FIA WEC CEO Frédéric Lequien
Frédéric Lequien welcomed the announcement, describing the Tourist Trophy as one of motorsport’s most respected prizes.
He expressed gratitude to the Royal Automobile Club for making the award available to the winners of the 6 Hours of Silverstone and noted that the qualities traditionally associated with claiming the trophy—endurance, excellence, and consistency—are the same attributes required to succeed at the highest levels of long-distance racing. Lequien added that the team standing atop the podium next spring will have truly earned its place in the trophy’s storied history.
Royal Automobile Club Chairman Duncan Wiltshire
Duncan Wiltshire highlighted the unique place the Tourist Trophy holds in global motorsport heritage.
According to Wiltshire, the award has celebrated not only victory but also the engineering brilliance, teamwork, and resilience that define elite racing since its inception in 1905. He said the return of the FIA World Endurance Championship to the United Kingdom provides a fitting occasion for the trophy’s continued legacy, particularly given the championship’s rapid global expansion and growing manufacturer involvement.
Silverstone CEO Stuart Pringle OBE
Silverstone Chief Executive Stuart Pringle emphasized the circuit’s long-standing relationship with the Tourist Trophy and its excitement at welcoming both the award and the FIA WEC back in 2027.
Pringle noted that endurance racing is currently enjoying a remarkable renaissance, attracting the world’s best teams, drivers, and manufacturers. He believes the opportunity to add a name to the Tourist Trophy’s legendary roll of honor will provide an additional layer of prestige and motivation for competitors. He also expressed anticipation for welcoming fans from across Britain and around the world to what promises to be one of the standout events of the 2027 motorsport season.
As Silverstone prepares to host the FIA World Endurance Championship once again, the return of the RAC Tourist Trophy ensures that the event will not only celebrate modern racing excellence but also honor a tradition that has shaped the sport for more than a century.