Magnitude Finance becomes patron of the BRDC Young Driver Program
Ed Legge
Magnitude Finance is delighted to announce that they have entered into an official partnership with the British Racing Driver’s Club as a patron of the BRDC Young Driver Program.
With over 800 members, the BRDC is the world’s most prestigious motor racing club. It owns Silverstone circuit and promotes the interests of British motorsport as well as supporting British drivers. David Coulthard MBE is the 12th and current president of the club.
BRDC Young Driver Program
The BRDC runs two young driver schemes: Superstars and Rising Stars.
Through these complementary programmes, the BRDC aims to assist the very best British and Commonwealth drivers to achieve their goal of success in top-level motorsport whilst also ensuring there is a strong and enthusiastic flow of new members to the Club.
Above all, the BRDC young driver programmes ensure the BRDC remains relevant to those competing in the sport today. BRDC SuperStars and Rising Stars visit National and International racing podiums on a regular basis and since the conception of both programmes, there have been many high profile championships secured by BRDC young drivers.
Superstars
Since 2008, the BRDC SuperStars programme has been about developing the most promising young British drivers across all classes of racing. Created by former President Damon Hill OBE and, in recent years, closely overseen by Derek Warwick, the programme has been run since inception under the strong guidance of veteran racer Tim Harvey and sits alongside the introductory BRDC Rising Stars programme.
In 11 years, the SuperStars programme has picked the top talent and nurtured drivers who together have achieved an outstanding 371 wins, 1,514 podiums and 320 pole positions, with over 43 drivers becoming full-time professionals. Two 2018 SuperStars, George Russell and Lando Norris, are competing in Formula 1 in 2019 alongside another former SuperStar, Alex Albon.
Rising Stars
Aged 24 and under, the BRDC Rising Stars are the future of the Club, today. Scouted from trackside, the BRDC Rising Stars are in effect ‘Junior Members’ of the Club, all taking their motor racing very seriously and all aiming for a professional career within the sport. From all four-wheel racing disciplines, the Rising Stars represent the BRDC in a wide variety of championships worldwide, and from the races contested while wearing the scheme’s unique ‘blue roundel’ it is hoped the Rising Star will graduate to the ranks of Full membership.
Official Patron – Magnitude Finance
As an Official Patron of the Young Drivers Program, Magnitude Finance’s extremely valuable assistance allows the Club to support its Rising Stars and SuperStars, which will ensure that British motor sport continues to thrive for many years to come.
“We are delighted to be able to contribute to the future of British motorsport as patrons of the Young Driver Program. With many of our customers actively involved in motorsport – some of them BRDC members – we look forward to seeing British talent at the forefront of global motorsport.
Tim Marlow – Head of Prestige – Magnitude Finance
About the British Racing Driver’s Club
The British Racing Driver’s Club was inaugurated in 1926 by Dr J.D. Benjafield – one of the famous “Bentley Boys” who raced at Le Mans. Starting with just 25 members, the BRDC had a clear set of objectives. These were to promote the interests of motorsport generally; to celebrate any specific performance in motorsport; to extend hospitality to racing drivers from overseas; and to further the interests of British drivers competing abroad.
Membership of the club was restricted to those of British or Commonwealth nationality with proven motorsport success and racing experience, and by 1929 the BRDC was organising races of its own.
In 1952 the BRDC took over the lease of Silverstone from the RAC and acquired the freehold from the Ministry Of Defence in 1971. They then set in motion a major redevelopment of the site which today hosts race meetings from the British Grand Prix to MotoGP and FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).
Full Membership remains restricted to those who have achieved success at the highest levels of motorsport. This means:
- At least three seasons racing experience in a prescribed list of qualifying events
- At least eight races in each season
- Finishing in at least 6 races per season
- At least 4 podiums in the General Classification or 3 class wins from six or more starters in races of over 3 hours or 500km.
Associate and Honorary memberships can also be awarded by the club to those who do not qualify for Full Membership but have made an exceptional contribution to British motorsport.