36-492: The British Women Racing Drivers Club ( BWRDC ) is a membership body which represents the interests of professional women racing drivers from the United Kingdom. The BWRDC celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2012. It holds its own awards and championships based on its members performances. The awards are given at an annual ceremony. The BWRDC was founded in 1962 by Mary Wheeler, with 30 members. Women were not allowed to join
72-527: A Brooklands Automobile Racing Club's Meeting. Every candidate must be proposed by one and seconded by another member of the club, to both of whom he is personally known." Women have been elected Honorary Member of the Club since 1928 (when Jill Scott was inducted ), however it was not until 1994 that they were able to become Full Members. As a consequence, the British Women Racing Drivers Club
108-621: A Miller sponsored by the Elcar Automobile Company in the Indianapolis 500 , following the death of Herbert Jones, who was killed attempting to qualify for the race in the Elcar Special. In a race shortened to 400 miles by rain, Duff finished 9th. The next AAA championship event was on the 1.25 mile board track at Altoona, Pennsylvania on June 12. Duff finished 3rd in the 250 mile race, two laps down. The next race
144-486: A damp track in heavy mist, they covered 2,280 miles in 24 hours, averaging 95.02 mph. They beat the previous record, held by the 9-litre Renault of Garfield and Plessier, by over 7 mph. Along the way, the 3-litre Bentley took 21 world records, including those for six and twelve hours, and 500, 1000, and 2000 miles. Looking for new challenges, Duff went to America in February 1926. He signed to drive
180-432: A flying stone holed the fuel tank, forcing Duff to run back to the pits. As only the drivers could work on the cars, Clement had to bicycle back with a can of gas to power the car back to the pits. Despite the drama, Duff and Clement finished a strong fourth. More importantly, W.O. Bentley, who only went over at the last minute, became hooked on Le Mans, the race that would make his cars famous. Duff then took his Bentley to
216-423: A number of seasons. Full membership has been awarded to every British or Commonwealth Formula One World Champion. Associate status is awarded to those who have made a significant contribution to motor sport. Honorary membership may be awarded in special cases, such as a notable World Champion who may not otherwise qualify. Membership is only open to British or Commonwealth drivers however Irish drivers who were born in
252-466: A set of objectives for the club: In 1929, the BRDC became involved in the promotion and organisation of racing events. Its first event was the BRDC 500-Mile Race at Brooklands on 12 October of that year, a race won by a Bentley 4½ Litre , unsupercharged, owned and driven by Bentley-dealer Jack Barclay and Le Mans-winner F.C. Clement . The event was such a success that the 1930 event, scheduled for 4 October,
288-545: Is best known for winning the 1924 24 Hours of Le Mans . Duff was born in Jiujiang , China , to Canadian parents from Hamilton, Ontario , who had established a commercial outpost in nearby Guling . Duff was sent beck to Hamilton for schooling, living there until he was 16. He returned to China after his schooling. Upon the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, Duff traveled across Russia to England , where he joined
324-477: Is the President of the BRDC, having replaced Paddy Hopkirk . The club's current Chairman is Peter Digby, since 2022. The position has recently been held by former touring car driver Stuart Rolt, (from 2005 – 2008 and from 2010 – 2012) and Robert Brooks, Chairman of Bonhams auctioneers, from 2008 – 2010. John Duff John Francis Duff (January 17, 1895 – January 8, 1958) was a Canadian racing driver . He
360-546: The BRDC International Trophy . In recent years, Silverstone and the British GP have become an ongoing contentious issue between the BRDC board and Bernie Ecclestone 's Formula One Management , with differences of opinion over the costs involved and the state of the circuit's infrastructure. Also within the remit of the club are: The support and development of young British drivers has become an important part of
396-522: The British Racing Drivers' Club until 1992. In 2012 the BWRDC had 160 members. British Racing Drivers%27 Club The British Racing Drivers' Club ( BRDC ) is an exclusive invitation-only members club for racecar drivers who are judged to have achieved success in the upper levels of motor sport for a number of seasons. Except under exceptional circumstances, members must have been born in
SECTION 10
#1732852219909432-563: The Canadian Census for both 1901 and 1911. There was a category for "Nationality". In both cases, Duff’s was listed as Canadian. When John Duff started racing in 1920, he had lived a significant part of his life in Canada. Although there was no Canadian citizenship until 1947, Canada had issued its own passports since the 1860s. As late as 1932, John Duff carried a Canadian passport — which means that he carried one throughout his racing career. In
468-504: The Depression led to a decline in the demand for fencing instruction, Duff moved his family to China. The Duff family’s settlement at Guling had prospered over the years and turned into a thriving resort. They stayed in China from 1932 to 1934, when they moved back to England. In January 1935 he became a member of the British Racing Drivers' Club . Duff continued to be a successful swordsman into
504-576: The Irish Free State or the Republic of Ireland before 1950 would be considered British by the club and eligible for membership. This rule allowed for Eddie Jordan to join the club. Once invited to join, prospective members must be proposed and seconded by existing members, then in turn, approved by the existing membership, board of directors and BRDC President. The BRDC's membership was initially restricted to experienced and successful male drivers, and
540-517: The United Kingdom or Commonwealth . The BRDC owns and operates Silverstone Circuit in the United Kingdom. The club was founded in April 1928 by Dr. J. Dudley Benjafield , one of an informal group of British racing drivers known as the " Bentley Boys ". The BRDC began primarily as a socialising club for Benjafield and his fellow drivers, but by the time of its inauguration, its 25 members had devised
576-463: The crankcase . When the engine blew, the hood was torn off the car, just missing Duff’s head. Engine parts rained down on the track. Duff sold the car for scrap. 1922 saw the birth of Duff and Aldington, a dealership set up to sell the new Bentley car. Duff raced a Bentley at Brooklands. On August 28, he took a stock 3-litre model to the track where he made an attempt on the "Double Twelve" record (24 Hour runs were not allowed at Brooklands due to
612-495: The BRDC announced the creation of its SuperStars program, designed to advise and financially support Britain's most promising young drivers. 1992 BTCC champion Tim Harvey was appointed Director of the program. The current director is Andy Meyrick . In the recent past the Club Presidency has been held by former Formula One World Champions Sir Jackie Stewart and Damon Hill . As of July 2019 , Former F1 Driver David Coulthard
648-566: The BRDC's existence, not least with its involvement in the annual Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Award to honour and promote a young driver from a British championship who, in the eyes of the judges, shows the most talent and potential. Among the BRDC's promotional and developmental schemes is the Stars of Tomorrow karting championship. The BRDC also provides financial backing to selected young British drivers competing in junior formulae. In 2008,
684-561: The Class E world records for 1 to 12 hours and all distances from 100 to 1,000 miles and 100 to 1,600 km. In total, he set 38 international class records. The Double 12 record was an absolute record, regardless of class. The event was depicted on the cover picture of the first edition of the Brooklands Gazette , published in July 1924. At Brooklands’ autumn meeting, Duff appeared at
720-503: The S.61 at a speed of 149.2 km/h, the third fastest speed of the meeting. In 1922, Duff sold the S.61 and focused on making Mephistopheles faster and more reliable. Harry Ricardo made a set of aluminum pistons and raised the engine ’s compression ratio. In May, Duff finished third in Brooklands’ 100 Mile Handicap. In its next race, one of the Fiat’s engine blocks detached from
756-490: The Spanish Touring Car GP at Lasarte . Leading with two laps to go, he was hit in the face by a stone thrown up by a lapped car. Duff crashed into a wall, injuring his jaw and breaking some teeth . Despite that, he won first place in the 3 litre class, as he had easily outlasted and outdistanced his competition. "In token of his gallant drive Duff was awarded the 3-litre trophy anyway, there being no other finishers in
SECTION 20
#1732852219909792-505: The accident, Duff brought his family over from England. They settled in Santa Monica , near Los Angeles . Duff opened a fencing academy where he trained many of the movie stars of the day. He doubled for his friend Gary Cooper and others in swordfighting scenes in Hollywood films. He also taught fencing at UCLA . In 1932, he coached some of his students on the U.S. Olympic team . When
828-532: The army. Gravely wounded at the Third Battle of Ypres , Duff was sent to a hospital in England where he met and married his nurse. In 1919, John Duff learned how to drive a car and became a dealer. In 1920, he started racing. In 1920, Duff began his racing career at Brooklands , a 2.6 mile long concrete track with concave banking. He drove a Fiat S.61, a 10-litre chain-driven car built in 1908. By August 1920, he
864-455: The class." By 1924, Bentley was now fully committed to Le Mans. Duff was still a private entrant, using one of the dealership’s cars. His car was prepared alongside the works entry using ideas Duff had come up with after the 1923 race. Partnered by Clement, in a race run in intense heat, Duff won handily, giving Bentley its first victory at Le Mans. In 1925, a carburetor fire ended Duff’s chances at Le Mans. On September 9–10, 1925, Duff went to
900-604: The high-banked Montlhéry track, near Paris , for an attempt at the absolute 24 Hour Record. He had a special single-seater Weymann body on his Bentley and works driver Dudley Benjafield as his co-driver. In driving rain, they did the first 12 hours at 97.7 mph but missed the 12 hour record. At 18 ½ hours, the camshaft drive failed, ending the attempt. He was able to claim two world records: 1,000 Kilometres in 6 hrs, 23 mins, 55 secs and 1,000 miles in 10 hrs 15 mins 59secs. On September 21, Duff returned to Montlhéry with Woolf Barnato as his co-driver. Driving on
936-630: The late 1930s. He also did well in business. The money he made allowed him to indulge his passion for horses. He became a competitive steeplechaser and show jumper. John Duff died in a riding accident in Epping Forest on January 8, 1958. John Duff was born in China in 1895. Like everyone else in the British Empire , Canadians were subjects of the reigning monarch, not citizens of any country. If there had been Canadian citizenship, Duff would have qualified via his Canadian parents. John Duff can be found on
972-477: The noise). The car broke before he could achieve that goal but, in the process, Duff set new Class E world records for 1, 2, and 3 hours, 100 and 200 miles, and 100, 200, 300, and 400 km. Duff returned to Brooklands on September 27–28, driving both 12 hour shifts singlehanded to take the Double 12 at an average of 86.52 mph, for a total distance of 2,082 miles (3,351 km). He also broke
1008-587: The war the club opened a "Le Mans Fund," for the benefit of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest , raising a grand total of £358 and 11 shillings, to assist with the rehabilitation of the facilities at the Le Mans circuit. "It will be remembered that these installations were almost completely destroyed during the war, mainly by Allied bombing." In the modern era full membership status is offered only to those who are judged to have been successful at an international level for
1044-423: The wheel of J.L. Dunne ’s old 21-litre Blitzen Benz . He lost the 100 Mile Handicap to Parry Thomas , despite lapping at 114.49 mph. Unable to stop the old car at the end of the last lap, Duff shot over the top of the banking, crashing through trees and a telegraph pole outside the circuit before finally coming to rest. Early in 1923, Duff learned of a new 24 Hour race to be held at Le Mans . He
1080-808: Was accorded International status. The Earl of March and S.C.H. Davis won the event outright in an Austin Seven . From June 1935 the BRDC published the monthly magazine Speed . The final issue was April 1939, after which it was incorporated into its rival Motor Sport . Members who died or were killed during the Second World War included: Cecil Kimber (a vice-president), The Earl of Cottenham , A.V. Ebblewhite, Hugh P. McConnell, T.E. Rose Richards, J.P. Wakefield, E.K. Rayson, G.L. Baker, John Carr, Percy Maclure, A.F.P. Fane, B.P.W. Twist, R.O. Shuttleworth , C.S. Staniland, N.G. Wilson, H.E. Symons, R.P. Hichens , J.A. Driskell, and Lionel Martin . After
1116-435: Was by invitation only. When Le Mans-winner John Duff joined the club in 1935 he was proposed and seconded by existing members. However James Robertson Justice was a member of the club, with a limited track record. In 1946 eligibility was described thus: "It is pointed out that, normally, membership is confined to gentlemen who have competed in an open motor road-racing event or taken a first, second or third place award in
British Women Racing Drivers Club - Misplaced Pages Continue
1152-580: Was founded in 1962 by Mary Wheeler. In the post-war era, the BRDC expanded its activities, taking over the lease of Silverstone from the RAC in 1952. In 1966, the club formed a subsidiary company, Silverstone Circuits Limited , responsible for the development of the British Grand Prix and – after its purchase in 1971 – the circuit itself. Aside from the GP, other notable BRDC-organised events at Silverstone included
1188-448: Was lapping in the same range as Henry Segrave , one of the great Brooklands and Grand Prix drivers of the 1920s. Driving the S.61, Duff won the 75 Long Handicap at Brooklands in May 1921 at a speed of 104.19 mph. He won the 100 Long Handicap at Brooklands’ mid-summer meeting, averaging 104.85 mph. Duff was the fastest on the track for both wins. He also lost a number of races where he
1224-660: Was on the Rockingham board track in Salem , New Hampshire . A puncture pitched Duff’s car sideways, throwing him from the car. "John Duff of Indianapolis, Ind., wrecked his machine and suffered a broken collar bone when his car crashed through the top rail and dropped clear of the track." Duff suffered painful bone and muscle injuries, and a concussion that affected his vision. Knowing that his competitiveness would be compromised, and having promised his wife that he would quit if he suffered another serious injury, Duff retired from racing. After
1260-502: Was the fastest. As Duff’s driving skills improved, his reputation began to put him at a disadvantage with the handicappers. In the off-season, Duff bought another old Fiat, the 18-litre pre-war racer called "Mephistopheles". In June, he took both Fiats to the Fanoe beach speed trials in Denmark . Duff set the fastest time of the meeting with a run at 165.9 km/h. He also took a class win with
1296-449: Was the first entrant. W. O. Bentley , the founder and then-owner of Bentley Motors, thought it was madness and that no car would finish. In the face of Duff’s determination, he agreed to have the car prepared at the factory and let his test driver, Frank Clement , partner Duff. The Duff/Clement Bentley was one of the fastest cars, Duff setting the fastest lap at 9 mins 39 sec for the 10.726 mile lap. Rough track conditions took their toll as
#908091