Ludvigsen’s masterpiece on high-performance engines wins coveted Royal Automobile Club Motoring Book of the Year

Power Unleashed: Trailblazers who Energised Engines with Supercharging and Turbocharging by renowned automotive historian Karl Ludvigsen, and published by Evro Publishing, has been crowned the Royal Automobile Club’s 2025 Motoring Book of the Year.

The announcement was made at a special ceremony in central London last night, attended by distinguished motoring and motor racing authors and publishers from around the world. Ludvigsen is one of the world’s most respected automotive historians and authors, whose career has spanned more than six decades. The author, who is 91, has written landmark works on Porsche, Corvette and Mercedes-Benz, and his deep technical knowledge combined with narrative flair has made his books essential reading for enthusiasts and engineers alike.

‘Power Unleashed’ represents the culmination of Karl Ludvigsen’s lifetime of research into the evolution of supercharging and turbocharging. The three-volume work running to 665,000 words charts how engineers and visionaries revolutionised the performance of cars and aircraft through forced induction. With Ludvigsen’s trademark clarity and authority, the volumes bring complex technologies to life, showing how these power-boosting technologies transformed Grand Prix racing, Le Mans, and everyday motoring.

Upon accepting the award, Karl Ludvigsen said “It’s deeply gratifying to see Power Unleashed recognised in this way.

“Forced induction has fascinated me since I was a student engineer in the 1950s, and this project represents a lifelong journey of discovery. I hope readers will share my admiration for the brilliant minds who turned air and pressure into power. I would like to extend my thanks to Evro Publishing for their belief in this project and their superb work in making it a reality.”

Jeremy Vaughan, Head of Motoring at the Royal Automobile Club, commented “Power Unleashed is a towering achievement and a truly definitive work.

“It is beautifully produced, deeply researched, and stands as a landmark publication that will serve as an important reference for engineers, historians, and enthusiasts alike. Here at the Club, we’re proud to recognise such excellence in motoring literature, and we’re grateful to our expert panel of independent judges for their passion, knowledge and dedication. The Book Awards represents our part in encouraging the best new work.”

Other books to win on the night (topping categories with and without a £50 price limit) included: Meyers Manx 1964-2024 by Basem Wasef; Joseph Figoni: Le Grand Couturier de la Carrosserie Automobile Vol. II–IV: Bugatti by Peter M. Larsen & Ben Erickson; A.J. Foyt – Vol. 1: Survivor, Champion, Legend by Art Garner and My Travels On Racer Road: Can-Am and Formula 1 in their Golden Age by Pete Lyons. The Graham Robson Award for Best Debut Author was presented to Alejo Pérez Monsalvo for ‘De Tomaso: Racing Blue Blood’.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was posthumously awarded to Gordon Cruickshank, celebrating his exceptional influence and enduring contribution to the UK’s motoring and motorsport literary scene. Cruickshank, a name synonymous with integrity and passion, served as Deputy Editor of Motor Sport magazine for more than three decades, and his contribution helped shape the very voice of British motorsport writing. His deep historical knowledge, sharp editorial eye, and unwavering commitment to accuracy earned him immense respect among peers and enthusiasts.

Beyond his editorial achievements, Gordon was a tireless advocate for motoring literature, ensuring that the great stories from the golden age of racing to the modern era were told with intelligence, authenticity, and heart. He also triumphed over enormous personal adversity to always remain sparkling company. The Royal Automobile Club awarded four category winners in addition to the overall winner, plus best debut author.

All category winners are listed below.

• The Motoring Book of the Year:

Power Unleashed: Trailblazers who Energised Engines with Supercharging and Turbocharging
By Karl Ludvigsen
Evro Publishing, £395

• Books about motor cars and motoring, costing no more than £50:

Meyers Manx 1964-2024 By Basem Wasef Hothouse Media, £49.50

• Books about motor cars and motoring, with no price limit:

Joseph Figoni: Le Grand Couturier de la Carrosserie Automobile Vol. II–IV: Bugatti By Peter M. Larsen & Ben Erickson. Moteurs!, £650

• Books on a motorsport subject, costing no more than £50:

A.J. Foyt – Vol. 1: Survivor, Champion, Legend By Art Garner Octane Press, £37

• Books on a motorsport subject with no price limit:
  My Travels On Racer Road: Can-Am and Formula 1 in their Golden Age
  By Pete Lyons
  Evro Publishing, £70
• Graham Robson Award for Best Debut Author:
  De Tomaso: Racing Blue Blood
  By Alejo Pérez Monsalvo & Marcel Schaub
  McKlein Media, £295
• Lifetime Achievement Award:
  Gordon Cruickshank

The Awards are judged by six experts who are independent of the Royal Automobile Club, and represent the UK’s most informed motoring literary critics, including Mick Walsh (Classic & Sports Car), Damien Smith (Motor Sport), Mark Dixon (Octane), Ian Titchmarsh (British Racing Drivers’ Club) and representing the retail sector Ben Horton (Hortons Books), and Christian Whitehead (Blackwell’s).

The judging panel is chaired by respected motorsport writer, commentator and historian Simon Taylor. The Awards form part of the Royal Automobile Club’s London Motor Week, which culminates with two landmark public events.

The Club’s early years were focused on promoting the motor car and its place in society, which developed into motoring events such as the 1000 Mile Trial, first held in 1900. In 1905, the Club held the first Tourist Trophy, which remains the oldest continuously competed-for motorsport event. The Club promoted the first pre-war and post-war Grands Prix at Brooklands in 1926 and Silverstone in 1948 respectively, while continuing to campaign for the rights of the motorist, including introducing the first driving licences.

Today, the Club continues to develop and support automobilism through representation on the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and RAC Foundation while promoting its own motoring events including London Motor Week each October, which culminates in the RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.

The Royal Automobile Club awards a series of historic trophies and medals celebrating motoring achievements. These include the Segrave Trophy, the Tourist Trophy, the Dewar Trophy, the Simms Medal, the Torrens Trophy and the Diamond Jubilee Trophy.