BRDC ANNUAL AWARDS 2010

The British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) celebrated motor racing achievements of 2010 today (Monday 06 December), at the star-studded 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.

Rights free images of the 2010 British Racing Drivers’ Club Annual Awards (courtesy of the BRDC) are available by clicking on the following link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/silverstonecircuit/sets/72157625394296111/detail

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 
The domestic equivalent of the BRDC Gold Star.

BRDC GOLD MEDAL                             SIR JACKIE STEWART OBE 
The BRDC’s highest recognition of achievement in, and contribution to, the Club and the sport of motor racing.

THE BRUCE McLAREN TROPHY       MARK WEBBER 
Awarded to the Commonwealth driver who has established the most meritorious performances in international motor racing.

THE CHRIS BRISTOW TROPHY         LEWIS WILLIAMSON 
Awarded to the winner of the BRDC McLaren AUTOSPORT Young Driver of the Year Award.

THE COLIN CHAPMAN TROPHY        JOHN BOOTH 
A BRDC Special Award presented to an individual who has shown great team spirit, be it a driver, team owner, engineer or similar.

THE 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.

THE 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.

THE FAIRFIELD TROPHY                    ANTHONY DAVIDSON 
Awarded for an outstanding performance by a BRDC Member.

THE GRAHAM HILL TROPHY              LEWIS HAMILTON MBE 
Awarded to the British driver for the most meritorious performance in single-seater racing.

THE 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.

THE JOHN COBB TROPHY                 DEAN STONEMAN 
Awarded to a British driver, driving a British car, who has achieved success or successes of outstanding character.

THE 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.

THE JOHNNY WAKEFIELD TROPHY  FERNANDO ALONSO 
Awarded to the driver setting the fastest race lap of the season on the Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit.

THE NIGEL MOORES TROPHY            STRAKKA RACING 
Awarded to the private entrant who has established the most meritorious performance(s) in international motor racing.

THE RICHARD SEAMAN TROPHY        MARK WEBBER 
Awarded to the winner of the Gold Star points scoring system.

THE SILVERSTONE-LE MANS CHALLENGE    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.

THE SIR JACKIE STEWART AWARD      ADRIAN NEWEY 
Awarded to a motor sport engineer who has shown brilliance during the course of the season.

THE SPENCER-CHARRINGTON TROPHY   JAMES CALADO 
Awarded to the highest-placed British driver in the British F3 Championship.

THE 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.

THE ACO AWARD                                         ALLAN McNISH 
Presented on behalf of our friends at the ACO, the award is presented to the highest-placed British driver finishing the Le Mans 24-Hour Race.

THE HENRY SURTEES AWARD               TOM BLOMQVIST 
Awarded annually for the most outstanding performance by a Rising Star.