DO you love writing (or talking) about cars?
Would you like to kickstart a career as a motoring journalist?
How about £1,000 in travel vouchers and other great motoring prizes?
If you’re aged between 12 and 18 and love writing or talking about cars (or even photographing them), here’s a chance to make a name for yourself with the Midland Group of Motoring Writers, one of the leading groups of motoring journalists in the country – AND win a prestigious Phil.
There are two Phil awards, based on your age. They include these great prizes:
The 2017 Phil (all entrants, aged between 12 and 18):
* £1000 in travel vouchers (courtesy of Audi UK)
* the loan of an Audi of your choice for your parents for a week
* a tour of the Aston Martin plant at Gaydon, Warwickshire and a passenger ride with one of the company’s test drivers
The 2017 Junior Phil, (only for entrants aged up to 16)
* a visit to Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands, Surrey for a tutored drive and lunch for yourself and your parents.
If you’re aged up to 16 and good enough, you could win the lot!
WHAT IS A PHIL?
The Phil Lewellin award (The Phils) sets out to encourage creativity in young people interested in telling a story of motoring, cars and travel.
It has been established by the Midland Group of Motoring Writers in memory of one of our founder members, Phil Lewellin, and reflects the joy he brought to readers worldwide with his tales of travelling by car.
HOW TO WIN A PHIL
You need to show us you can tell a story about cars and travel which entertains the judges. They’ll be looking for creativity and the ability to use the chosen medium to best effect.
The topic for the story is ‘my perfect car and the journey I’d take in it’.
Entries can be in any journalistic format (you choose). Typical entry formats might be:
– a written article/blog of around 500 words
or – video/vlog/YouTube posting of minimum 90 seconds
or – podcast/audio file of minimum 2 minutes
or – photo-essay/Instagram diary of at least 10 images
or – any combination of the above
There is no maximum length to any entry, but remember the best journalism is short and punchy. Feel free to choose your own format and style. Be yourself.
Entries (either URL-link or hard copy/memory drive) should be sent to:
Rupert Saunders, 14 Bell Lane, Byfield, Northants NN11 6US
or email: rupert@autowords.com
Your entry must be with us by midnight on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 (that gives you the February half-term to finish the project). Don’t forget to include your contact details and date of birth. You can email Rupert if you need more help or information.
Small print about the Phils
The awards are open to anybody over the age of 12 and under the age of 18 on February 28, 2017. The Junior Phil is only for entrants under the age of 16 on February 28, 2017. We may ask to see proof of date of birth.
You must be resident in the UK and the entry must be your own, original work. The entry can be a stand-alone work or hosted on any website or social media platform open to people aged over 12.
The prizes are as detailed above. No alternative prizes are available and they are not transferable. The loan and driving of vehicles will be subject to the insurance and legal requirements of the lending company.
✱ You can find out more about the Phils and the Midland Group of Motoring Writers by visiting our website: http://mgmw.org.uk