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

[terence]

Judging by some of the sessions I've witnessed,absolutely!

[simon drabble]

Terry - clearly not a believer in the old addage what goes on tour.....

[John Turner]

[simon drabble]

Reading the BRDC letter of sympathy on the tragic news of Dan Wheldon the last paragraph grabbed my attention as it seems to wrap up perfectly why BRDC should maintain its high entry requirement. DW was everything a BRDC member should be:

"When Dan did eventually become a Full Member of the BRDC he commented at the time “It is something that I have always aimed for, being such an exclusive club, and to be included in a group of such great names makes me feel very special. I will do everything that I can to represent the BRDC in a way that makes you all very proud”.
Dan Wheldon was a great ambassador for the BRDC and motor sport generally. He will be hugely missed."

I dont think anything else needs to be said.

[Rudernst]

Originally Posted by 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...

If the badge was the stumbling block, You could solve that by making it a different colour for historic racers.
e.g. green for the "pros"
and blue for the historic amateurs
The AMOC does ot that (or used to do it, red for the hoi polloi, green for the club racers, yellow for the chairman)

I did have a look at the hallowed halls over the Finals weekend.
Remarkable that beeing allowed to wear racesuits on the grounds (only if not oily or dirty) needs to be declared as admissible in a racing drivers club.

And I managed to get hold of a copy of Octane and finally read the article.
Again remarkable that he himself describes his intrudoction of real ale at the clubhouse as "the finest achievement of my membership" - what a milestone for British motorracing. I slip of the pen, I would say.
Dont get my wrong, think Tony Dron definetely is a nice man.

On a serious note:
The BRDC was founded by amateur drivers (mainly wealthy partly aristo), racing at the highest level before the war, buuuuuuut at a time when it was affordabe for amateurs to do well at Le Mans or even in Grand Prix Racing.
This is not possible anymore as motorsport has moved on, amateurs do historics as a consequence.
You might argue that by embracing historic racing the club would return to its roots.

As far as I know the membership turned mainly pro later.
I wonder what the founders of the BRDC would have said about allowing pros in at all and whether they would have wanted to mingle with hired hands.

I have to admit that the level of driving skills tends to be a LOT higher among professionals. When I put my instructor into one of my cars he usually sets a time during testing that would gain him pole by a margin on raceday and he was a medium level pro driver....

If the BRDC takes its nurturing of upcoming young British drivers as serious as Tony Dron describes then allowing some rich historic racers in on the proviso that their money sponsors some young talent to a certain extent might further that aim.

Luckyly, I am German so this debate does not really concern me.
Aaaaaaaaand I tend to wear frayed jeans at the circuit which would prevent me from entering the clubhouse anyway as I have learnt in the meantime.
Dont worry, I do have some proper pants as well......

Rudolf

[p261brm]

Originally Posted by Giraffe138

By defination, being a club they and they alone can decide upon the criteria by which they select their members. We can all have an opinion, but quite correctly those opinions stand for nothing.

The B all and end all

[Giraffe138]

I'm visiting "Twinkleman" (as Gerry Marshall used to call him!) Lawrie Hickman in Bridgenorth tomorrow, and inspite of an illustrious career dating back to the '60s in saloons, thundersports and sportscars, Lawrie had his application to join the BRDC rejected.

http://www.racingsportscars.com/driv...ickman-GB.html

[simon drabble]

Having looked at his results on the link you included your friend has entered the right races but sadly not finished near enough to the podium!

[Giraffe138]

Originally Posted by simon drabble

Having looked at his results on the link you included your friend has entered the right races but sadly not finished near enough to the podium!

Lawrie had a lot of success in the British Saloon Car Championship driving Anglias and Escorts; I saw him in the support race for several British GPs. What I am trying to illustrate is that the club is being selective about it's membership, quite rightly in my opinion.

[Giraffe138]

By giraffe138 at 2012-01-23

Lawrie Hickman pictured at his home in Bridgenorth yesterday. 19 outright & class wins in Internationals & over 50 at club level in Steering Wheel Club, West Bromwich Anglia, Leonard Ward Racing Escort & Gerry Edmonds Racing quasi works Broadspeed Escort.
Lawrie's Ford Capri drive was inherited by Andy Rouse when he got Meningitis.......

1970 British GP meeting, Brands Hatch:


By giraffe138 at 2012-01-24

[simon drabble]

and clearly a skilled tier of flies..... from what you have written he shoudl (based on the website criteria) be eligible - but as a racing pleb what do I know!

[jellison]

Originally Posted by terence bower

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!.

Not often I agree with Terry.

But really who cares.

Simon you clearly do - don been invited yet.

This Historic racing (or modern) is just a bit of fun. There are some very good peddlers that do not have the money to make it their living (or want to). It is all down to circumstances as to how "any" naturally fast drive will do against other, much of it money (if you have pots of it and you can get the best cars and you are still not at the front - big deal, you are having fun), the grid need it. And if you are short of a few quid or fully wedged and win in a series you might not give a monkeys whether some old stuffed shirt will allow you into their club!

[simon drabble]

jellison - sorry I dont know your real name - I have no illusions to being a member, I hardly ever race and renew my licence later each year. If you actually read my post you would see I advocate keeping the bar as high as possible which naturally precludes the likes of me...
The last time I saw Mr Bower's MGB in an act of homage it carried BRDC member's badges on it so I would suggest he doth protest a little too much!

[jellison]

Originally Posted by simon drabble

jellison - sorry I dont know your real name - I have no illusions to being a member, I hardly ever race and renew my licence later each year. If you actually read my post you would see I advocate keeping the bar as high as possible which naturally precludes the likes of me...
The last time I saw Mr Bower's MGB in an act of homage it carried BRDC member's badges on it so I would suggest he doth protest a little too much!

Good come back Simon.

Mind is going in mid feb (seem to be able to get 2 years out of one medical that way). I'd race every weekend if the funds and wife allowed. If I was not at the front of which ever class I was in I would not give up just know that I ain't that good, but still a giggle.

I know how I stack up against at least one podium achiever in this years Clio's - good enough for me.

I look forward to Terrys prepost

[John Turner]

Originally Posted by simon drabble

jellison - sorry I dont know your real name -

Just for the record Simon, that is his name - Jon Ellison - TR peddler of some note .... or is that notoriety!

[rogerwills]

Originally Posted by terence bower

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!

I don't believe they send invitations to become a member. People must apply. So your friend will be waiting a while for his invite......

[terence]

Or indeed be 'put up for membership by other members'.Then you are notified by post.

[Al Weyman]

I wouldnt mind being a member just so I can find somewhere that stays open later than 4pm at Silverstone on a Saturday night to have a drink and a bite to eat.

[terence]

Well,as has been implied Al,you only need to apply.

[simon drabble]

Terry maybe you could second him?!!!

[terence]

I think you have a pretty good idea on my reply to you Simon.
Black Ball anyone?

[rogerwills]

Originally Posted by terence bower

Or indeed be 'put up for membership by other members'.Then you are notified by post.

I'm sure it is in the post Terry. Hang in there.

[terence]

Quite possibly Roger,let me have your address,I'll send it on.

[john ruston]

Terry is this bloke who will tell them that they can shove it just a jerk and does he live in real world?
Amazing that people who will never be nominated have strong views about the club and membership..Crazy.

[simon drabble]

Originally Posted by terence bower

I think you have a pretty good idea on my reply to you Simon.
Black Ball anyone?

That's pretty harsh - what's Al done to you?!!