What is the Win Percy Trophy?

Introduced to separate the smaller cars from the grid of bigger bangers that compete in the Gordon Spice Trophy, cars for the grid of the Win Percy Trophy have a limit of 2.8 litres. More specifically, it’s open to cars of a type that raced in FIA Appendix J Group 1 from 1970 to 1982 or in the British Saloon Car Championship between 1976 and 1982.

In short, that means we’re treated to a field that includes Mini 1275GTs, Ford Escort RS2000s, Triumph Dolomite Sprints and Volkswagen Gold GTIs among many others. A variety of sponsors’ liveries make it a colourful spectacle before the cars even turn a wheel. 

And when the flag does drop, closely-fought action is guaranteed. The Win Percy Trophy is a two-driver race with each car shared between an amateur driver and a professional. The latter brings in a roster of top talent from all around the world.

To illustrate the point, last year’s Win Percy Trophy podium featured three-time Le Mans 24-hour winner Andre Lotterer, British Touring Car Champion Jake Hill and five-time Le Mans winner Emanuele Pirro.

It was Mazda RX-7 driver Pirro who took an early lead but a mechanical malady led to his retirement. After the driver changes, Lotterer charged to a decisive lead with his Volkswagen Golf GTI until Jake Hill (Ford Escort RS2000) began to challenge. In traffic, he made a move around the outside that stuck and maintained the lead to the flag. Lotterer kept the pressure on, though, for a thrilling finale to the 45-minute race.

The contest is named after three-time British Saloon Car Champion Win Percy. His long career included contesting Le Mans and the Spa 24 Hours, but it was saloon car racing that brought him most fame. He was active in the British Saloon Car Championship as well the European and World Touring Car Championships. He was also the only person from the northern hemisphere to win the Bathurst 1000. 

He won his three British Saloon Car titles right in the era of the cars we’ll see in the Win Percy Trophy. He claimed his first two titles with the Mazda RX-7 (1980 and ’81) and the third the following year with a Toyota Celica, having previously finished second in the Championship in Celicas in 1975 and ’76. 

It’s rare for a saloon car driver to be renowned the world over, so it’s only fitting that Percy has a regular Goodwood fixture named in his honour. We can’t wait to see what transpires at the 83^rd Members’ Meeting in only the second ever running of this race.  

The 83^rd Members' Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport takes place on the 18^th & 19^th April 2026. Tickets are on sale now for GRRC Members and Fellows.

You can sign up for the Fellowship now. Click here to find out more.

Photography by Joe Harding, Pete Summers, Toby Whales and Charlie Brenninmkeijer.