Tony Dron's article on historic drivers and BRDC in Octane

[John Turner]

Steady, chaps. I rather feel that we may have exhausted constructive discussion on this subject.

[Avgas]

The BRDC has the merit to exist. I wish that similars clubs still existed on the Continent.
Perhaps, in cojuction with the Automobile Club de Monaco is among the sole survivors of the old club guise, with a proper club spirit, club premises and where most members are still active in racing.
On top of that the BRDC still owns a proper track complying with maximum standards and it is used almost 365 days a year.
Most other big clubs with international exposure have become National Federations or modern corporations where road assistance or commercial activities not related to motorsport have taken the upper side.

As for historic racers some are new talent in the sense that they never got into a car till they were in their 40's or 50's but other were gifted when they were young but never had half of an opportunity. Peter Hannen illustrated the former and Rob Hall or Martin Stretton the latter.

[zefarelly]

seems to me people attain membership for more than merely being able to drive, so I see no reason why a few histrionics shouldn't get the nod, even if its merely for services to the ongoing development and support of automotive engineering.

[morninggents]

very droll, Joe.

[john ruston]

Unfortunate choice of historic drivers to illustrate the point.

The Historic Driver is at the bottom of the pile and should probably be referred to as a racing motorist.

What happened when certain of them went into moderns?

[Giraffe138]

Originally Posted by john ruston

What happened when certain of them went into moderns?

Trying to rectify that John. Young historic FF racer Ben Mitchell has tested modern machinery (F1000) at Sebring recently and got within a tenth of the lap record. I think some of the younger ones can cut it. Just need to find Ben's budget for Star Mazda (& Indy Lights testing) now.........