If you read my earlier review of White Racers from Zuffenhausen, then you know I’m a fan of Karl Ludvigsen’s work; especially his Porsche related books and photography. Apparently, and not surprisingly, I’m not alone in my assessment. In a glittering ceremony at the Royal Automobile Club in London, on the 18th of last month, three of the twenty awards given by the respected Guild of Motoring Writers for 2008 went to a single honoree. None other than Ludvigsen himself.
The Guild’s Award for Automotive Technology Journalism went to Ludvigsen for his article about the evolution of the Porsche 911 engine published in AutoAficionado magazine. The award, which recognizes ‘excellence in writing technical articles valued by specialists but also interesting to non-specialists,’ was presented by its sponsor, technology communications company Market Engineering.
For the second time Karl Ludvigsen received the Aston Martin International Trophy, ‘recognizing excellence in journalistic achievement by a Guild member working in the international field.’ The award cited Ludvigsen’s in-depth profile of controversial FIA president Max Mosley, published in America’s Automobile Quarterly.
Ludvigsen’s third award—perhaps the most prestigious—was the Montagu of Beaulieu Trophy, sponsored by Mercedes-Benz and presented by Lord Montagu, creator of Britain’s National Motor Museum. The award’s recipient is ‘the Guild member who makes the greatest contribution to recording, in the English language, the history of motoring or motorcycling.’
Recognized by the judges for 2008 was Ludvigsen’s Ferdinand Porsche—Genesis of Genius. A magisterial history of Porsche’s early life and work published by Bentley Publishers. This was Ludvigsen’s third Montagu since he was the Trophy’s first winner in 1972.
When reached for comments about the awards a surprised Ludvigsen responded, ‘I hardly know what to say, I’m very grateful to the Guild and the judges who thought these works deserving. These awards are tremendously motivating to an author. I’ll do my best to live up to their standards.’
Upcoming Reviews on Books by Karl Ludvigsen
I’m about half way through my copy of Genesis of Genius and will do a much more in-depth review once I’ve completed it. For now, I can safely say that the above mentioned awards only scratch the surface of recognizing the author’s own “Genius” and ability to document, in both writing and photography, the rich and technical history of all things Porsche.
In addition to my review on Genesis of Genius, be on the look out for more info on Porsche Spyders 1956-1964
and Porsche 917: Zuffenhausen’s Le Mans and Can-Am Champion.
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Book Review: White Racers from Zuffenhausen
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Book Review: Porsche 996 The Essential Companion by Adrian Streather
Book Review: Porsche High Performance Driving Handbook, 2nd Edition, by Vic Elford
Interview with Randy Leffingwell