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Gomw stars in Formula One blockbuster, RUSH

The Guild of Motoring Writers takes centre stage in the new Formula One blockbuster Rush, set to be released this month. The film, directed by Academy Award-winning Ron Howard, is the dramatised story of the duel between James Hunt and Niki Lauda for the F1 Drivers' World Championship in 1976.

Rush's production company requested the Guild's involvement during filming some months ago, when it asked to borrow the GoMW's prestigious Driver of the Year trophy that had twice been awarded to Hunt - once when he had just burst onto the motor-racing scene in 1973 and then again in 1976. It's the former event that is depicted in a pivotal moment in the film, which features Chris Hemsworth - the actor who plays Hunt - being presented with the trophy at a recreation of the Guild's annual awards dinner.

Of the movie itself Guild of Motoring Writers member William Kimberley, who was invited to an early preview, says: "Rush is immense. It is always with a sense of trepidation that one goes to see a film that features motor racing. Days of Thunder and Sylvester Stallone's toe-curling Driven come to mind for all the wrong reasons. Yet in my book Rush is right up there with Steve McQueen's Le Mans - and there can be no higher compliment.

"Director Howard magnificently captures the spirit of the times. Many of F1's larger-than-life characters have also been brilliantly captured, and the racing scenes are breathtaking. The two central characters - Hunt (Hemsworth) and Lauda (Daniel Brühl) - are brilliantly portrayed, and by the end of the film you can't help but have a small lump in your throat."

Guild Chairman Richard Aucock adds: "The recognition given to the Guild by presenting this trophy so early in James' career is immense, and something about which it can be extremely proud. We were delighted to be contacted by the producers of Rush and didn't hesitate to agree our involvement. It's fantastic that the Guild has made an appearance in an international movie and it is credit to our professionalism and recognition of our reputation that the producers contacted us in the first place. From its glamorous depiction in the film, the real Guild Dinner has a lot to live up to this December!"

Rush opens in cinemas on 13 Sept 2013.