2018 Torrens Trophy nominees revealed

The Royal Automobile Club has announced the nominees for the 2018 Torrens Trophy with the winner to be revealed early next year.

Jonathan Rea was awarded the prestigious honour last year having sealed his historic third consecutive World Superbike title but is unable to make the shortlist this year as the current holder of the trophy. 

Ben and Tom Birchall, commonly referred to as the Birchall Brothers, claimed the 2018 FIM World Sidecar Championship at a thrilling final round, having led by one point, to seal their third world title and second championship triumph.

Leon Haslam secured the 2018 British Superbike Championship, his first professional title, by dominating the series with 15 race wins which acted as redemption after two consecutive near-misses to the BSB title in the years before.

Peter Hickman has been given the nod for his records on the roads having won the Superstock and Senior TT races at the Isle of Man TT while also going on to set a new outright lap record of 135.452mph. Hickman also contested the 2018 BSB championship and finished fifth in the riders' standings.

Tai Woffinden was another British rider to make history by winning his third Speedway world crown to become the most successful British rider of all time, adding to his 2013 and 2015 titles.

The Torrens Trophy nominations committee consists of Chairman and ex-bike racer Barrie Baxter, Royal Automobile Club Chairman Ben Cussons, journalist and TT winner Mat Oxley, commentator and former racer Steve Parrish, club member Richard and Maria Costello MBE who has held the Guinness World Record for being the fastest woman to lap the Isle of Man TT course.