The British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) celebrated motor racing achievements of 2010 on 6th December at the BRDC Annual Awards. The ceremony, hosted by BBC Formula 1 presenter Jake Humphrey, was attended by motor racing’s finest, including three of the BRDC’s Knights of the Realm – Sir Stirling Moss OBE, Sir Jackie Stewart OBE and Sir Frank Williams CBE.
World Champions Nigel Mansell OBE, Andy Priaulx MBE, David Richards CBE, Christian Horner and Damon Hill OBE, who is also President of the BRDC, were also in attendance.
Formula 1 driver Mark Webber just managed to beat World Touring Car driver Andy Priaulx to the BRDC’s premier annual award, the BRDC Gold Star. The Gold Star was one of two Awards for the Australian driver, while British Touring Car Championship driver Gordon Shedden received the Club’s highest accolade for national racing, the BRDC Silver Star.
The outstanding achievements of Dario Franchitti were also recognised at this year’s Awards. BRDC Vice President Sir Jackie Stewart OBE presented the British driver with a BRDC ‘Special’ Gold Star after Franchitti secured his third IndyCar Series Drivers’ Championship in 2010, along with his second Indianapolis 500 race win.
The achievements of Britain’s two Formula 1 drivers, Lewis Hamilton MBE and Jenson Button MBE, were recognised, with the two BRDC Members being awarded the Graham Hill and ERA Club trophies respectively. Neither was able to collect their award in person, however, both drivers had pre-recorded acceptance speeches. Red Bull’s Formula 1 success was further celebrated by Adrian Newey who collected The Sir Jackie Stewart Award, presented annually to a motor sport engineer who has shown brilliance during the course of the season.
The courage and bravery of BRDC Vice President for Life, Sir Stirling Moss was also acknowledged by his racing peers and colleagues. The 81-year-old British racing icon was awarded The Innes Ireland Trophy following his recovery from serious injury and his return to the track earlier in the year. Sir Jackie Stewart’s exceptional contribution to the BRDC and motor racing as a sport was also recognised, with the Scot being awarded a BRDC Gold Medal.
2010 BRDC Annual Award Winners
BRDC Gold Star, Mark Webber – First presented in 1929. The BRDC Gold Star is the Club’s premier annual award.
BRDC ‘Special’ Gold Star, Dario Franchitti – Awarded for an exceptional achievement in motor sport.
BRDC Silver Star, Gordon Shedden – Domestic equivalent of the BRDC Gold Star.
BRDC Gold Medal, Sir Jackie Stewart OBE – BRDC’s highest recognition of achievement in, and contribution to, the Club and the sport of motor racing.
Bruce McLaren Trophy, Mark Webber – Awarded to the Commonwealth driver who has established the most meritorious performances in international motor racing.
Chris Bristow Trophy, Lewis Williamson – Awarded to the winner of the BRDC McLaren AUTOSPORT Young Driver of the Year Award.
Colin Chapman Trophy, John Booth – Presented to an individual who has shown great team spirit, be it a driver, team owner, engineer or similar.
Earl Howe Trophy, Dario Franchitti – Awarded to the highest placed British driver in the Indy 500 race, or to the British driver who has established the most meritorious performance of the year in North America.
ERA Club Trophy, Jenson Button MBE – Awarded to the British driver who, driving a British car, established the most meritorious performance of the year outside the UK.
Fairfield Trophy, Anthony Davidson – Awarded for an outstanding performance by a BRDC Member.
Graham Hill Trophy, Lewis Hamilton MBE – Awarded to the British driver for the most meritorious performance in single-seater racing.
Innes Ireland Trophy, Sir Stirling Moss OBE – Awarded to the driver who best displayed the qualities of courage and sportsmanship epitomized by the late Innes Ireland.
John Cobb Trophy, Dean Stoneman – Awarded to a British driver, driving a British car, who has achieved success or successes of outstanding character.
John Cooper Trophy, Jean-Eric Vergne – Awarded annually to a competitor within the British F3 Championship who has shown potential to become a future World Champion.
Johnny Wakefield Trophy, Fernando Alonso – Awarded to the driver setting the fastest race lap of the season on the Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit.
Nigel Moores Trophy, Strakka Racing – Awarded to the private entrant who has established the most meritorious performance(s) in international motor racing.
Richard Seaman Trophy, Mark Webber – Awarded to the winner of the Gold Star points scoring system.
Silverstone-Le Mans Challenger, Timo Bernhard – Awarded to the driver(s) who achieved the highest combined finishing record in combined results of the Silverstone LMS race and the Le Mans 24-Hour Race.
Sir Jackie Stewart Award, Adrian Newey – Awarded to a motor sport engineer who has shown brilliance during the course of the season.
Spencer-Charrington Trophy, James Calado – Awarded to the highest-placed British driver in the British F3 Championship.
Woolf Barnato Trophy, Mike Newton and Andy Wallace – Awarded to the highest-placed finishing British and/or Commonwealth Driver, in a British car, in the Le Mans 24-Hour Race.
ACO Award, Allan McNish – Presented by the ACO, the award is presented to the highest-placed British driver finishing the Le Mans 24-Hour Race.
Henry Surtees Award, Tom Blomqvist – Awarded annually for the most outstanding performance by a Rising Star.
[Source: BRDC]
