BRITISH RACING DRIVERS’ CLUB HONOURS VALENTINO ROSSI

British Racing Drivers’ Club honours Valentino Rossi

The British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) is delighted to announce that Valentino Rossi is to become an Honorary Member of the Club, arguably the most exclusive club in motor racing.

Honorary membership of the BRDC is only by invitation of the Directors and Valentino Rossi is the first motorcycle racer ever to have been offered membership purely on his achievements on two wheels.  There are others within the Club who are known for their success on two wheels but all of these have qualified for membership from their four wheel achievements.

Valentino will be officially presented with his membership by Derek Warwick, President of the BRDC, at the Silverstone round of MotoGP which takes place over the weekend of 28 to 30 August. Two lucky fans will have the opportunity to be at this presentation.*

Speaking from Brno Valentino Rossi said “I am very honoured to have been invited to become an Honorary Member of the British Racing Drivers’ Club. I know it's very difficult to become a member of this exclusive club, there are very selective criteria. There is no rider in the BRDC, I will be the first and for this I am even more honoured. I look forward to meeting the President, Derek Warwick, who I know and esteem for his career in Formula 1. I hope that I will have a good result at the Silverstone Grand Prix to honour my entry into the British Racing Drivers' Club!”

Derek Warwick commented “Membership of the BRDC is the greatest honour in British motor racing and I speak on behalf of everyone at the Club when I say that we are proud, privileged and honoured that Valentino Rossi has accepted this membership.

BRDC Vice President John Surtees said “Valentino is without any doubt one of the greatest motorcycle riders ever in a sport that has played an extremely important part in Silverstone’s history.  He has a huge number of British fans and, along with Cal, Bradley, Scott, Sam, Danny and John, will be putting on a fantastic show for the Silverstone crowd on 30 August.”

Tickets for British MotoGP are currently on sale at pre-event prices with race day starting at £80 for adults and £25 for children aged 11 to 15, with children under 11 going FREE.  For more information visit www.silverstone.co.uk

*Two fans can win the opportunity to be at the BRDC presentation by visiting www.silverstone.co.uk

For media enquiries contact Carol Watts -  carol.watts@silverstone.co.uk ;  tel +44 (0)1327 320337