An historical description of some of the clubs older trophies

Details about these trophies was written in 1978.

The Avon Trophy was presented to the club in 1952 by the Avon India Rubber Co Ltd originally give to the winner of the 350cc race at the International Hutchinson 100

The Baragwanath Trophy is presented in memory of  Edward “Barry” Charles Ellis Baragwanath who joined Bemsee at the start of 1909 He was a founder member and Director of the club when it emerged from the 2^nd world war. A Gold Star member, lapping Brooklands at over 100mph regularly.  He died in 1969. Greater detail of Barry can be found  . . . .here

Mellano Trophy was presented to the club by the Chairman of the Hutchinson Tyre Company  Mr A.V Mellano. It is the largest, most valuable and oldest Motorcycle trophy in racing and it was originally awarded to the outright  winner of the handicap 100 mile race at Brooklands. When racing commenced after the war it was given to the rider who’s race speed in any of the races held at that Hutchinson meeting exceeded the previous lap record for that event. When Bemsee organised the International Hutchinson 100 the trophy was awarded to the winner of the race, which when ran at Brands Hatch was run in reverse direction the last winner of the International Hutchinson 100 run in reverse direction at Brands Hatch was Barry Sheene 1976. In the 1977 the race was dropped from the International calendar and the event became known as the Ben Ball meeting,  the Mellano Trophy was retired for 14years and then bought back into use as, for its original purpose, to be awarded  to a Club rider whose performance over the season had shown outstanding merit. Full details  . . . Here

The Guinness Trophy  was donated to the club in 1956 by Arthur Guinness & Co Ltd (the brewers) following the death of Sir Algernon Guinness in 1954, who was the President of the club for many years. it is made of solid silver and was valued in 1980 at £3000. The Trophy is in the form of the figure of Mercury which stands 19.5" high and measures 18" from nose to wing tip. It is mounted on a heavy marble base weighing in at 41 lbs, as anyone who has had to lift it can vouch for. This was originally competed for at the club’s Oulton Pk meeting and the winning criteria was similar to  that of the Mellano Trophy at that time.

The A.M.C. Challenge Trophy presented to the club by Associated Motor Cycles Ltd was original given to the winner of the 500cc class. It is now presented to the winner of  Champion of Brands

The Dunlop Trophy presented to the club by the Dunlop Tyre company of Birmingham, this was given to the winner of the 250cc race

The George Reynolds Memorial Bowl was given to the club by the family of George who was a corner stone of the club in its Brooklands days, It went to the rider who puts up the fastest lap of the day.

The Dennis Lashmar Trophy, this was presented by the parents of the late Dennis Lashmar,  a well known and liked member of the club in its post war era. It goes to rider who’s outfit puts in the fastest lap of the meeting.

Rickard Trophy presented to the club by Ken Rickard ex racer and committee man, it goes to the privateer who puts in the best performance.

Glover Trophy, this was given to the club by Mr D.M. Glover of United Lubricants Ltd, it was presented to the rider putting in the best performance in a handicap race held at Silverstone.

Bob Winter Trophy was presented to the club by Mr E.R. Winter, the Managing Director of Comerfords Ltd, a motorcycle dealership in Thames Dittion. It was originally presented on the Silverstone Saturday meeting to the rider putting in the fastest lap of the day on a 3 wheeler 

The Rickard Trophy was present by ex racer and committee member Ken Rickard, it was awarded to the best private owner performer at a race meeting.

Rex Judd Trophy The Rex Judd Trophy was presented to the club in 1956 by the owner of the Edgware motorcycle dealership, Rex held a number short distance world records on various machines at Brooklands. The trophy was originally intended to be presented to the Sprinter who made the fastest time of the day at sprint meetings organised by the club. However specialist clubs now promote sprint meetings and the trophy remained unused from 1966-72. Since when it has been awarded to the rider who’s race speed exceeds by the greatest margin or comes closest to the existing race speed.

Ron Waston Cup presented to the club by the director of the Watsonian Sidecar company, Ron Watson, it goes to the sidecar recording fastest lap.

Riley Cup presented by H Riley and is given to the fastest Production machine.

National Benzole Trophy presented by the National Benzole Co Ltd goes to the fastest Vintage machine at a meeting.

The Metropolitan Trophy was presented by George Goodall, the Epsom motorcycle dealer and a long standing member of the club. It is given to the rider making the fastest lap of the day at the Metropolitan Meeting.

Les Graham Trophy was given to the club by the late Les Graham  to be awarded to the privateer who puts up the most meritorious performance during the course of the weekend.

Bemsee Trophy presented by the club to the rider who makes the best lap of the meeting on Trophy day.

Bryant Bowl was given to the club by Mrs M E Bryant in memory of the late Dick Bryant a long time stalwart and Marshal of the club. It went to the winner of the 1^st 350cc race of the day at Trophy meeting.

Comerford Cup this was presented to the club by Mr A L T Comerford  MD of the Kinston Motorcycle dealers, it was originally presented at the Huchinson 100. However when Club Day moved to Silverstone Mr Comerford agreed to the suggestion that this trophy be moved to the new meeting. It goes to the rider who puts up the best performance at the meeting, providing he had not won a race at anytime during the season.

Colin Whorwood Trophy was presented by the family of Colin Whorwood and is given to the rider under 20 making the performance at the Club Day  meeting.

Hector Dugdale Trophy presented by Mr  Dugdale of Alvanley goes to the rider at the Club Day meeting making the fastest lap of the day.

Lambretta Trophy presented by the Lambretta Concessionaires Ltd goes to the winner of the 125cc race at the Club Day meeting.

M C Tompkinson Trophy was presented by Mike Tompkinson the well known vintage Velocette rider and is given to the 3 wheel rider making the fastest lap of the day at the Club Day meeting.

Minnie Grenfell Memorial Trophy  was presented to the club by Mr J Granville-Grenfell in memory of his wife, a rider of no mean skill in pre war days, in 1927 she was a member of the all ladies team that won the Silver Vase in the ISDT held in Cumbria and for a woman in those social times no mean feat. The trophy was awarded to the rider who gets the most points at the Club meeting also the TT and Manx meetings. Minnie died in 1949.

Noel Pope Bowl was given to the club by it’s ex chairman and Brooklands lap record holder. It is given to the member who records the highest officially time speed in the course of a year. Noel Pope is one od only 2 Club members to own the special 120 Gold Star, for lapping Brooklands at over 120mph. Greater detail of Noel can be found  . . . Here

Alcohol Trophy  was presented by the Directors of Associated Motor Cycles Ltd and is actually fashioned from the piston which was fitted to the 500cc Matchless @dope special ridden by the late Les Graham and which still holds the Shelsley. Its destination is decided by the committee each year and given to the best performance annually in all sprints and Hill Climbs. When the club ran meetings at Shelsley Walsh Hill climb Venue Worcester.

J S Moore Trophy is the clubs trophy for the member who put in the most meritorious  performance at the TT.

Tourquemeter Trophy  The Torquemeter Trophy was presented to the club by M.H.H Engineering co ltd in 1958 to awarded to the Bemsee member scoring the most points in World Championship events ! Previous winners over the years have been John Surtees (3 times) Mike Hailwood (6 times) Frank Perris (once). In 1972 it was decided that instead of laying idle it should be awarded as the major trophy of the Kent Road Race meeting held at Brands Hatch each year. The trophy, to be held for one year with memento was awarded to the rider who’s race speed exceeds by the greatest margin the present race speed. Or failing that who comes closest to the race record speed.

Not all trophies listed are still presented, some have disappeared over time. Here is a link to a complete list of trophies currently presented