British Racing Drivers' Club

The British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) is an exclusive invitation-only members club for racecar drivers who are judged to have achieved success in the upper levels of motor sport for a number of seasons. Except under exceptional circumstances, members must have been born in the United Kingdom or Commonwealth. The BRDC owns and operates Silverstone Circuit[1] in the United Kingdom.

Early days

The club was founded in April 1928 by Dr. J. Dudley Benjafield, one of an informal group of British racing drivers known as the "Bentley Boys". The BRDC began primarily as a socialising club for Benjafield and his fellow drivers,[2] but by the time of its inauguration, its 25 members had devised a set of objectives for the club:

  • To promote the interests of motor sport generally.
  • To celebrate any specific achievement in motor sport.
  • To extend hospitality to racing drivers from overseas.
  • To further the interests of British drivers competing abroad.

In 1929, the BRDC became involved in the promotion and organisation of racing events. Its first event was the BRDC 500-Mile Race at Brooklands on 12 October of that year, a race won by a Bentley 4½ Litre, unsupercharged, owned and driven by Bentley-dealer Jack Barclay and Le Mans-winner F.C. Clement.[3] The event was such a success that the 1930 event, scheduled for 4 October, was accorded International status.[4] The Earl of March and S.C.H. Davis won the event outright in an Austin Seven.[5]

From June 1935 the BRDC published the monthly magazine Speed. The final issue was April 1939, after which it was incorporated into its rival Motor Sport.

World War II and aftermath

Members who died or were killed during the Second World War included:[6] Cecil Kimber (a vice-president), The Earl of Cottenham, A.V. Ebblewhite,[7] Hugh P. McConnell,[8] T.E. Rose Richards,[9] J.P. Wakefield,[10] E.K. Rayson,[11] G.L. Baker,[12] John Carr, Percy Maclure,[13] A.F.P. Fane,[14] B.P.W. Twist,[15] R.O. Shuttleworth, C.S. Staniland,[16] N.G. Wilson,[10] H.E. Symons,[17] R.P. Hichens, J.A. Driskell,[18] and Lionel Martin.

After the war the club opened a "Le Mans Fund," for the benefit of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, raising a grand total of £358 and 11 shillings, to assist with the rehabilitation of the facilities at the Le Mans circuit. "It will be remembered that these installations were almost completely destroyed during the war, mainly by Allied bombing."[19]

Membership status

In the modern era full membership status is offered only to those who are judged to have been successful at an international level for a number of seasons. Full membership has been awarded to every British or Commonwealth Formula One World Champion. Associate status is awarded to those who have made a significant contribution to motor sport. Honorary membership may be awarded in special cases, such as a notable World Champion who may not otherwise qualify. Membership is only open to British or Commonwealth drivers however Irish drivers who were born in the Irish Free State or the Republic of Ireland before 1950 would be considered British by the club and eligible for membership. This rule allowed for Eddie Jordan to join the club.[20] Once invited to join, prospective members must be proposed and seconded by existing members, then in turn, approved by the existing membership, board of directors and BRDC President.

The BRDC's membership was initially restricted to experienced and successful male drivers, and was by invitation only. When Le Mans-winner John Duff joined the club in 1935 he was proposed and seconded by existing members.[21] However James Robertson Justice was a member of the club,[22] with a limited track record.

In 1946 eligibility was described thus: "It is pointed out that, normally, membership is confined to gentlemen who have competed in an open motor road-racing event or taken a first, second or third place award in a Brooklands Automobile Racing Club's Meeting. Every candidate must be proposed by one and seconded by another member of the club, to both of whom he is personally known."[23]

Women have been elected Honorary Member of the Club since 1928, however it was not until 1994 that they were able to become Full Members. As a consequence, the British Women Racing Drivers Club was founded in 1962 by Mary Wheeler.[24]

Race promotion and circuit ownership

In the post-war era, the BRDC expanded its activities, taking over the lease of Silverstone from the RAC in 1952. In 1966, the club formed a subsidiary company, Silverstone Circuits Limited, responsible for the development of the British Grand Prix and – after its purchase in 1971 – the circuit itself. Aside from the GP, other notable BRDC-organised events at Silverstone included the BRDC International Trophy.

In recent years, Silverstone and the British GP have become an ongoing contentious issue between the BRDC board and Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Management, with differences of opinion over the costs involved and the state of the circuit's infrastructure.[25]

Also within the remit of the club are:

  • The BRDC Marshals' Club.
  • BRDC Club Races.
  • BRDC 500 Summer Races.
  • The BRDC Walter Hayes Trophy.

Young driver support

The support and development of young British drivers has become an important part of the BRDC's existence, not least with its involvement in the annual McLaren Autosport BRDC Award to honour and promote a young driver from a British championship who, in the eyes of the judges, shows the most talent and potential. Among the BRDC's promotional and developmental schemes is the Stars of Tomorrow karting championship. The BRDC also provides financial backing to selected young British drivers competing in junior formulae.

In 2008, the BRDC announced the creation of its SuperStars program, designed to advise and financially support Britain's most promising young drivers. 1992 BTCC champion Tim Harvey was appointed Director of the program.

Significant people

In the recent past the Club Presidency has been held by former Formula One World Champions Sir Jackie Stewart and Damon Hill. As of July 2019, Former F1 Driver David Coulthard is the President of the BRDC, having replaced Paddy Hopkirk.[26]

The Club's current Chairman is John Grant, since 2012. The position has recently been held by former touring car driver Stuart Rolt, (from 2005 – 2008 and from 2010 – 2012) and Robert Brooks, Chairman of Bonhams auctioneers, from 2008 – 2010.

Presidents of the BRDC
Years Incumbent
2019-Present David Coulthard
2017–2019 Paddy Hopkirk
2011–2017 Derek Warwick
2006–2011 Damon Hill
2000–2006 Jackie Stewart
2000 Ken Tyrrell
1993–2000 Alexander Hesketh
1992–1993 Innes Ireland
1991–1992 Jack Sears
1964–1991 Gerald Lascelles
1929–1964 Earl Howe
1928–1929 Dudley Benjafield
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See also

References
  1. "British Racing Drivers' Club". www.brdc.co.uk. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  2. BRDC History Archived 2 December 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Motor Sport, November 1929, Page 28, see also photographs in centre spread, advertisement Page 6.
  4. Motor Sport, January 1930, Page 23.
  5. Motor Sport, November 1930, Pages 4, 6–7.
  6. Motor Sport, December 1945, Page 247.
  7. Motor Sport, January 1940, Page 14: Obituary.
  8. Motor Sport, March 1943, Page 58: Obituary.
  9. Motor Sport, November 1940, Page 214: Obituary.
  10. Motor Sport, June 1942, Page 125: Obituary.
  11. Motor Sport, December 1939, Page 315: Obituary.
  12. Motor Sport, September 1942, Page 193: "It is sad to learn that G. L. Baker, who competed very frequently at Brooklands in outer circuit events with a sports Minerva, and also a Graham Paige, passed away recently." For a photograph of the Minerva see: Michael Sedgwick, Early Cars, Pleasures and Treasures, Page 93, Weidenfeld and Nicolson, Reprinted 1967. Geoffrey L. Baker also competed at the Lewes Speed Trials. See: Jeremy Wood, Speed on the Downs: Lewes Speed Trials 1924–39, Pages 27–31, 36, 43; JWFA Books, 2005, ISBN 0-9522766-1-5.
  13. Motor Sport, February 1945, Page 35: Obituary.
  14. Motor Sport, September 1942, Pages 189–190: Obituary. See also: Great Auclum National Speed Hill Climb.
  15. Motor Sport, January 1942, Page 16: Obituary.
  16. Motor Sport, August 1942, Page 166-177: Obituary. See also: List of accidents and incidents involving military aircraft (1940–1944).
  17. Motor Sport, July 1940, Page iii: Obituary.
  18. Motor Sport, September 1937, Page 382: "J.A. Driskell, who started his motoring career very early in New Zealand, and who, apart from his better known activities with Ford V8, "Dynacharged" Ford Eight, B.N.C. and Rally cars, won one of the first races ever in New Zealand, built a Driskell-Special for trials work in this country and drove a D.F.P. in the 1923 "200."
  19. Motor Sport, June 1946, Page 121; See also: Motor Sport, July 1946, Page 147; Motor Sport, September 1946, Page 201.
  20. Jordan, Eddie (2011). "10". An Independent Man: The Autobiography. Hachette UK. ISBN 1409105555.
  21. Noted in the Club’s general Committee Meeting held on 28 January 1935. He was proposed by L. G. Callingham and seconded by H. D. Parker.
  22. Autosport, 29 March 1957.
  23. Motor Sport, December 1946, Page 288.
  24. "Female racers aiming for the top". The Daily Telegraph. 19 April 2012.
  25. Sportsbusiness.com Archived 20 December 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  26. "British GP Reaction". Channel 4 Formula 1 coverage. 14 July 2019. 1 minutes in. Channel 4.
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