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

[SAMD]

Can an associate membership for historic racing not be used?

[simon drabble]

woudl they be allowed to wear the badge? I am led to believe that was teh stumbling block the last time they opened their doors...

[zefarelly]

John, would that be Mr A from Hove? I spoke to him a few weeks back, has been a life memmber for far longer than I've been alive, which is well after he retired, and struck me he's probably done less racing than me!

[terence]

Had a conversation with a very well known historic racer,he said that he hoped one day to be invited to become a member,just so he could tell them where to shove it!Seems to me that over recent years it has gone down hill rather rapidly,the true spirit of being a member has, sadly,been lost,according to various members.

[john ruston]

Says more about that particular Historic Racer than BRDC.

Must be a jerk!

[terence]

Perhaps,but one without the 'Head-in-the-clouds' syndrome,quite a refreshing bloke to talk to.

[Heightswitch]

My comments here are basically as a nobody, A Punter if you like but...

To me these sort of clubs are akin to the "oscars" Over time It becomes a bunch of Luvvy types, Many of whom get well paid all in their own world nominating themselves for a self perpetuating sort of self gratification !! Now this might sound harsh and I am playing devils advocate here but This sort of club generally becomes defunct over time because of "cliques" if you like being unable to move with the times.

I don't do celebrity.

But then again how many celebrities are needed to assess whether anyone racing in whatever discipline is worthy or not? popularity? race results? Differing disciplines?

Now whilst It is nice to be in some ways regarded by your Peers, in other ways it just panders to racing drivers already often over inflated ego's of themselves.

The old dinner party joke always comes to mind..."How can you identify a racing driver at a party?"....Don't worry he will tell you!!

N.

[Giraffe138]

Just to illustrate that the club is not too particular who it let's in it's doors these days, pictured here is a friend of Bruce McLaren from his youth, one of his ex-mechanics who is a recent Vice_President of the club and Giraffe after a splendid luncheon there today....

By giraffe138 at 2011-10-09

[rogerwills]

The requirements for membership are clearly laid out.

"Membership of the British Racing Drivers’ Club is highly sought after and offered only to those who have achieved success at the highest levels of motor sport."

http://www.brdc.co.uk/Membership

[john ruston]

Most members have spent a shed load of their own money racing and becomming a member has always illustrated that the driver has been successful.

There are very few professional drivers.

Like the bit about how do you know who is racing driver though.

[R D P]

Originally Posted by Heightswitch

The old dinner party joke always comes to mind..."How can you identify a racing driver at a party?"....Don't worry he will tell you!!

N.

Not nowadays - replace that with Golf amateurs / beginners. Happens constantly in my family.....(no, I am not Golfing...).

Ralf

[andy97]

Originally Posted by rogerwills

The requirements for membership are clearly laid out.

"Membership of the British Racing Drivers’ Club is highly sought after and offered only to those who have achieved success at the highest levels of motor sport."

But that could also be as an engineer or administrator or, as Murray Walker demonstrates, as a commentator.

[terence]

Absolutely correct Andy.

[Giraffe138]

Originally Posted by andy97

But that could also be as an engineer or administrator or, as Murray Walker demonstrates, as a commentator.

Indeed, and in my experience members come from many different backgrounds, both social and economic, and cross all the age barriers too. Quite obviously the likes of myself will never aspire to be a member, but as a visiting guest I have always found the BRDC to be a very friendly and welcoming place, and it most certainly has never felt 'snobby' or elitist to me.

[terence]

I have fond memories of the occasional beer or two with a crowd of 'the old school' of members. Two of whom were more than worthy of their Associate Member Status ,but they were/are old school.