Tom Pryce Trophy for Professor Garel Rhys O.B.E.
The blood of the Motor Industry world-wide flows through Garel’s veins, he was a perfect choice for the honour. He holds the S.M.M.T. Chair in Motor Industry Economics at the Cardiff Business School, University of Wales, and his biography is an impressive record of a man who really is a motor industry expert.
For 2002, the Welsh Motoring Writers chose Professor Garel Rhys O.B.E. to receive their prestigious Tom Pryce Trophy on the 10th. anniversary of the Group.
The Welsh Royal Crystal trophy is presented to the Welsh man or woman for excellence in the Motor Industry or Motor Sport, and as it would appear that the blood of the Motor Industry world -wide flows through Garel’s veins, he was a perfect choice for the honour.
Garel holds the S.M.M.T. Chair in Motor Industry Economics at the Cardiff Business School, University of Wales, and his biography is an impressive record of a man who really is a motor industry expert He has been a Government advisor on motor related aspects for many years, but 1989 was a bit special, for not only did he win the Castrol/IMI Motor Industry Gold Medal Award for his contribution to the industry, but was also awarded the O.B.E. for his services to the Motor Industry and Education.
In 1993 he was named ‘Welsh Communicator of the Year’, which isn’t surprising as he is so often on T.V. and radio. In fact, if anyone ever wants advice on any aspect of the Motor Industry- they ask Garel!
The fact is that his fame is world-wide, and when Garel is present at international new car launches or Motor Shows, his opinions are in great demand by Motor Industry heads and journalists alike.
He also has an intimate knowledge of Wales and its people, and can sing the most stirring Rugby songs with the best of them!
Garel is Welsh through and through, and we are proud of him.
His 2002 Tom Pryce Trophy was suitably inscribed ‘ Athrylith byd y ceir’, which translates (with a little Indian flavouring) into ‘Guru of the Car World’.
T.D.
2002 Professor Garel Rhys O.B.E., - 'Athrylith byd y ceir' - and his wife, Mavis