The British Racing Drivers’ Club celebrated the motor racing achievements of its members during 2012 with the annual BRDC Awards this week.
Presented by BBC Formula 1 presenter Jake Humphrey at The Grand Connaught Rooms in London, the awards lunch was presented by the great and good of British motor racing, as well as the Club’s President-in-Chief, HRH The Duke of Kent KG and special guest, double Olympic gold medallist Ed Clancy MBE.
The BRDC’s premier annual award, the prestigious BRDC Gold Star, went to Rob Huff after he won the 2012 WTCC, while the national equivalent, the BRDC Silver Star, went to BTCC champion Gordon Shedden.
British achievements in Formula One were recognised, with Lewis Hamilton MBE being awarded ‘The ERA Club Trophy’, while Red Bull Racing’s Adrian Newey OBE and Christian Horner collected the ‘Sir Jackie Stewart Award’ and ‘Colin Chapman Trophy’ respectively.
Dario Franchitti’s third Indy 500 success was recognised with the Scotsman receiving the ‘Early Howe Trophy’, while Allan McNish picked up the ‘ACO Plate’ for being the highest-placed British driver in the Le Mans 24 Hours race.
Young talent was also recognised, with Jake Dennis receiving the ‘Chris Bristow Trophy’ for winning the BRDC McLaren Autosport Award, while the ‘Henry Surtees Award’ for most outstanding performance by BRDC Rising Star going to Jack Hawksworth.
The full list of 2012 BRDC Annual Award Winners are as follows:
BRDC GOLD STAR: ROB HUFF
The BRDC Gold Star is the Club’s premier annual award and it recognises the strongest performance of the year by a Member in international motor sport.
BRDC SILVER STAR: GORDON SHEDDEN
Awarded annually, the BRDC Silver Star is the domestic equivalent of the BRDC Gold Star.
THE BRUCE McLAREN TROPHY: MITCH EVANS
Awarded to the Commonwealth driver who has established the most meritorious performances in international motor racing.
THE CHRIS BRISTOW TROPHY: JAKE DENNIS
Awarded to the winner of the BRDC McLaren AUTOSPORT Young Driver of the Year Award.
THE COLIN CHAPMAN TROPHY: CHRISTIAN HORNER
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: LEWIS HAMILTON 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: ADRIAN QUAIFE-HOBBS
Awarded for an outstanding performance by a BRDC Member.
THE GRAHAM HILL TROPHY: JAMES CALADO
Awarded to the British driver for the most meritorious performance in single-seater racing.
THE INNES IRELAND TROPHY: ALEX ZANARDI
Awarded to the driver who best displayed the qualities of courage and sportsmanship epitomized by the late Innes Ireland.
THE JOHN COBB TROPHY: LUCIANO BACHETA
Awarded to a British driver, driving a British car, who has achieved success or successes of outstanding character.
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: SUPER NOVA RACING
Awarded to the private entrant who has established the most meritorious performance(s) in international motor racing.
THE RICHARD SEAMAN TROPHY: ROB HUFF
Awarded to the winner of the Gold Star points scoring system.
THE SILVERSTONE-LE MANS CHALLENGE: ANDRÉ LOTTERER, BENOÎT TRELUYER & MARCEL FÂSSLER
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 OBE
Awarded to a motor sport engineer who has shown brilliance during the course of the season.
THE SPENCER CHARRINGTON TROPHY: JACK HARVEY
Awarded to the highest-placed British driver in the British F3 Championship.
THE WOOLF BARNATO TROPHY: MARTIN BRUNDLE and ALEX BRUNDLE
Awarded to the highest-placed finishing British and/or Commonwealth Driver(s), in a British car, in the Le Mans 24-Hour Race.
THE ACO PLATE: 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: JACK HAWKSWORTH
Awarded annually for the most outstanding performance by a BRDC Rising Star.
