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TheBritish Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) is an invitation-onlymembers club forracecar drivers who are judged to have achieved success in the upper levels ofmotor sport for a number of seasons. Except under exceptional circumstances, members must have been born in theUnited Kingdom orCommonwealth. The BRDC owns and operatesSilverstone Circuit[1] in the United Kingdom.
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The club was founded in April 1928 byDr. 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:
In 1929, the BRDC became involved in the promotion and organisation of racing events. Its first event was the BRDC 500-Mile Race atBrooklands on 12 October of that year, a race won by aBentley 4½ Litre, unsupercharged, owned and driven by Bentley-dealer Jack Barclay and Le Mans-winnerF.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 andS.C.H. Davis won the event outright in anAustin Seven.[5]
From June 1935 the BRDC published the monthly magazineSpeed. The final issue was April 1939, after which it was incorporated into its rivalMotor Sport.
Members who died or were killed during the Second World War included:[6]Cecil Kimber (a vice-president), The6th 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] andLionel Martin.
After the war the club opened a "Le Mans Fund," for the benefit of theAutomobile 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]
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 theIrish Free State or theRepublic of Ireland before 1950 would be considered British by the club and eligible for membership. This rule allowed forEddie 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-winnerJohn Duff joined the club in 1935 he was proposed and seconded by existing members.[21] HoweverJames 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 aBrooklands 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 (whenJill Scott was inducted[24]), however it was not until 1994 that they were able to become Full Members. As a consequence, theBritish Women Racing Drivers Club was founded in 1962 by Mary Wheeler.[25]
In the post-war era, the BRDC expanded its activities, taking over the lease ofSilverstone from theRAC in 1952. In 1966, the club formed a subsidiary company,Silverstone Circuits Limited, responsible for the development of theBritish Grand Prix and – after its purchase in 1971 – the circuit itself. Aside from the GP, other notable BRDC-organised events at Silverstone included theBRDC International Trophy.
In recent years, Silverstone and the British GP have become an ongoing contentious issue between the BRDC board andBernie Ecclestone'sFormula One Management, with differences of opinion over the costs involved and the state of the circuit's infrastructure.[26]
Also within the remit of the club are:
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 annualAston Martin 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 theStars 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 championTim Harvey was appointed Director of the program. The current director isAndy Meyrick.[27]
In the recent past the Club Presidency has been held by former Formula One world championsSir Jackie Stewart andDamon Hill. As of July 2019[update], Former F1 driverDavid Coulthard is the president of the BRDC, having replacedPaddy Hopkirk.[28]
The club's current chairman is Peter Digby, since 2022. The position has recently been held by former touring car driver Stuart Rolt, (from 2005 to 2008 and from 2010 to 2012) and Robert Brooks, chairman ofBonhams auctioneers, from 2008 to 2010.
| 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 | Lord Alexander Hesketh |
| 1992–1993 | Innes Ireland |
| 1991–1992 | Jack Sears |
| 1964–1991 | Gerald Lascelles |
| 1929–1964 | Earl Howe |
| 1928–1929 | Dudley Benjafield |
| Formula One | |
|---|---|
| Formula Two | |
| Intercontinental Formula | |
| Formula 3000 | |
| Historic F1 | |
