PROUD GALLERIES - 75 YEARS OF THE BRDC

IN ASSOCIATION WITH COX INSURANCE HOLDINGS
8TH DECEMBER – EARLY JANUARY
OPENING NIGHT 7TH DECEMBER

The power, the speed and the romance behind one of the world’s most glamorous sports… In a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the British Racing Drivers’ Club, Proud Galleries is to hold the first exhibition of work selected from the BRDC archive. 75 years of the BRDC, is a stunning collection of photographs which successfully capture the essence of British motor racing. Featuring over 130 previously unseen photographs – both in colour and black and white – 75 Years of the BRDC will take a behind-the-scenes look at the world of motor racing over the last 75 years. Hand selected from the BRDC’s archive of over 20,000 photographs, 75 years of the BRDC will feature some of the most renowned names from the motor racing industry including legends such as Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, Sir Stirling Moss OBE, John Surtees MBE and the late Graham Hill and Jim Clark.

The exhibition also includes contemporary heroes such as Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill, David Coulthard, Jenson Button and Danny Watts. This remarkable collection of photographs takes us on a journey across the world as we see highlights from the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Le Mans, The Mille Migha and National Motor races.

Images cover every aspect of motor racing, from saloon racing to sports cars, from junior single seaters to Formula 1 racing; the pictures successfully capture the exhilaration and the excitement of motor racing’s most breathtaking moments and the comradeship that exists away from the track. 75 Years of the BRDC will launch on 7th December with a star studded gala event. The celebrations will be attended by BRDC President Sir Jackie Stewart, OBE, BRDC Chairman Mr. Martin Brundle, Sir Stirling Moss OBE and BRDC Board member John Surtees, MBE as well as many others.

The BRDC was the brainchild of Dr J D Benjafield, one of the infamous ‘Bentley Boys’. Keen to foster the social element of the sport away from the race track, Benjafield began to organise dinner parties for the drivers and his friends. This quickly caught on and the BRDC was born. The Club then began organising and promoting race meetings at Brooklands and elsewhere. This continues today. Formalised in 1928, the Club quickly established itself as one of the most respected and prestigious sporting Clubs in the world. Membership to the Club is by invitation only and is based upon having achieved international success in the motoring world. BRDC membership has been held by every British or Commonwealth World Champion which is a comment not only on the lasting appeal of the Club but on the appeal with which it is regarded.

“In our 75th anniversary year we look forward to celebrating our history with a photographic exhibition of the greatest moments and personalities in British motorsport. It will be a highly successful event when we remember all the legends and heroes in the history of our sport. Come along, experience and look at our collection of photographs many of which have never been displayed to the public before,” said BRDC President Sir Jackie Stewart, OBE. Neil Utley, Chief Executive of the exhibition’s main sponsor Cox Insurance comments: “We are delighted to sponsor this exhibition of remarkable photographs which capture the essence of the BRDC’s 75 year history. Cox supplies insurance schemes for some of the leading vehicle manufacturers and owners clubs within the motor industry many of which appear within the exhibition including; The Bentley Owners Club, Audi, Mitsubishi and Volkswagen. This is an outstanding exhibition and we wish the BRDC every success in the future.” "We have worked alongside the BRDC as its financial adviser since the 1930's and have been actively involved in its growth from a small grouping of prominent drivers to the prestigious and premier motor racing club that it is today," comments Philip Prettejohn, Senior Partner at Rawlinson & Hunter Chartered Accountants. "We are delighted to be part of its 75th birthday celebrations and wish the Club equal success in the future." “We are very pleased to be able to support the BRDC in celebrating its 75th anniversary and we wish the Club every success in the future" comments James Richards, Corporate Partner, Baker & McKenzie. "We are proud to act as the BRDC 's legal advisors and of our long association with motor racing." “Bullrun are delighted to be part of the 75th birthday celebrations, comments Claire Berliner from Bullrun. “BRDC and Silverstone are internationally renowned for their involvement in premier motor racing events. Bullrun continues this fine British tradition by bringing luxury motoring events to the public and allowing them to share directly in the thrill of an amazing supercar challenge.” The exhibition will serve as a fitting finale to the 75th anniversary celebrations of a Club that has become an integral part of the racing industry.

75 YEARS OF THE BRDC – THE EXHIBITION Address: Proud Camden 10 Greenland Street Camden NW1 0 ND Tube: Camden Town Opening: 10am – 7pm, Monday – Thursday 11am – 6pm, Friday - Sunday Prices: Full price £3 Concessions £2 FOR INTERVIEWS / USE OF PICTURES / BOOKS
Idea Generation: +44 (0) 20 7428 4949 Jo: jo@ideageneration.co.uk Hector : hector@ideageneration.co.uk

WEBSITES
www.cox.co.uk
www.rawlinson-hunter.com
www.bakernet.com
www.proud.co.uk
www.brdc.co.uk
www.bullrun.com
www.ideageneration.co.uk

Editor’s Notes The BRDC The story of the British Racing Drivers' Club started way back in the days of the famous Bentley team that so effectively, and romantically, dominated the racing scene - Le Mans in particular - during the late 1920s. The founder of the BRDC, Dr. J. D. Benjafield, one of the famed 'Bentley Boys' at Le Mans, was keen to organise dinner parties after races for his friends and drivers. It was these dinner parties which were the seeds from which grew the highly prestigious and much respected British Racing Drivers' Club that we know today. The Club was inaugurated in April 1928, with twenty-five members and a clear set of objectives. These were to promote the interests of motor sport generally; to celebrate any specific performance in motor sport; to extend hospitality to racing drivers from overseas; and to further the interests of British drivers competing abroad. At that time, membership was restricted to racing drivers of proven success and experience, and quickly grew following the decision of the BRDC to move into race organisation. Their first event, the BRDC 500-Mile Race, took place at Brooklands in October 1929.

After the Second World War, the BRDC became a major force in international motor racing, taking over the lease of Silverstone from the RAC in 1952 and subsequently purchasing the site’s freehold from the Ministry of Defence in 1971. The Club through its wholly-owned subsidiary company, Silverstone Circuits Limited (formed in 1966 to develop the commercial aspects of the property), then set in motion a major redevelopment of what had been a wartime bomber training base producing one of the foremost motor racing facilities in the world. The Club is also a major contributor to the Motor Trade Benevolent Fund (BEN) with a particular interest in the day centre at Coventry. Considerable assistance has also been given to the Brooklands Trust. The experienced BRDC race department manages the British Formula 3 and British GT Championships; and the Club is proud to be associated with two of Britain's top national race series. In keeping with the Club's original aims, substantial funds are provided to the young British stars of tomorrow to help with the furtherance of their driving careers.

The most visible part of this being the chairmanship and running of the BRDC McLaren Autosport Young Driver of the Year award. The BRDC also operates 'Rising Star' and 'Young Driver' initiative schemes, offering future champions the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of the Club and substantial funding. The entry criteria remains very strict with full membership offered only to those ladies and gentlemen who have attained international success over a number of seasons. Associate membership is offered to those persons who have made a significant contribution to the sport and honorary membership is bestowed upon only a special few, including F1 World Champions who by dint of nationality do not otherwise qualify. Every British or Commonwealth World Champion is, or has been in their lifetime, a full member of the Club. The BRDC has grown to become the most prestigious motor racing club in the world and today, membership totals nearly nine hundred. 75 Years of the BRDC is being sponsored by: Cox Insurance Holdings Plc Cox Insurance Holdings Plc is a unique company that successfully combines a major underwriter with an unparalleled track record and rapidly growing distribution business. Through targeted growth and opportunistic acquisition Cox has become the 8th largest motor insurer in the UK, a leading broker and service provider and a market leader in terms of profitability. Unlike many of its rivals the company has been a major player in the UK personal lines insurance market for the past 30 years. The business will continue to develop through major acquisitions, broker transfers and expansion of links with the affinity market. Products including motor, motorcycle, household and travel are sold through a panel of leading insurers, direct to customers over the telephone, via the post and on the Internet under the ‘insure’ brand. Cox also serves a number of schemes and affinity groups via a dedicated affinity operation. Clients include Volkswagen, Audi, Age Concern, Royal British Legion, Freeserve, Triumph and Harley-Davidson. Rawlinson & Hunter Rawlinson & Hunter is an independent international practice of chartered accountants which was established in 1933. The Firm has extensive experience in all areas of motor sport from drivers through to teams and peripheral businesses and Rawlinson & Hunter's involvement with the BRDC as auditor and financial adviser dates from the 1930's. The Firm has acted for six world champions in F1 and continues to act for a number of drivers and teams. Rawlinson & Hunter's international network is recognised as one of the leading advisers in respect of tax structuring for both individuals and corporate entities. Baker & McKenzie Global law firm Baker & McKenzie was established over 50 years ago and has 66 offices in 36 Countries. The Firm established a truly global presence, with an office in each of the world’s major money centres, more than 25 years ago. Worldwide, Baker & McKenzie has 628 partners, 3,210 qualified lawyers and a total of over 4,430 legal professionals. The London office, with over 350 legal professionals, is Baker & McKenzie’s largest office. Baker & McKenzie advises many high profile clients including the British Racing Drivers Club. More information about Baker & McKenzie can be found at www.bakernet.com. Bullrun Bullrun is the epitome of all luxury motor rallies- exceeding expectations from the past, and redefining them for the future. In June, two hundred of the world's premier supercars will congregate in Los Angeles for the beginning of an eight-day rolling party across the United States of America. Bullrun brings together stars of life, sport and screen for an unforgettable adventure, where, evidently, the only obligatory goals are to party, drive and enjoy. Fuelled by an impressive schedule of private events at the finest hotels in the most exciting cities in America, Bullrunners make their way from one checkpoint to the next, learning their destinations daily. Designed to impress even the headiest of hedonists, Bullrun promises to leave those who feel they've already done everything glam, fast and furious, pleasantly surprised.