Jody Fannin and Archie Hamilton have become the latest names to be added to the British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC) ‘Rising Star’ programme.
The status is awarded to drivers under the age of 24 who, having been selected by BRDC scouts, take motorsport seriously and aim to have a career within the sport. Past Rising Stars include names such as Lewis Hamilton, Dan Wheldon and IndyCar racer Alex Lloyd.
2012 saw Hamilton finish 11th overall in the International GT Open, the second highest placed Briton to Nick Tandy, while Fannin became the British GT4 Champion.
“I am incredibly proud to be associated with the BRDC.” commented Fannin. “It is a massive boost to my career to be recognised by an organisation that is held in such high regard and to have access to a network of professionals with an unrivalled knowledge of the sport is fantastic.”
Archie becomes the third generation of his family to be involved in the BRDC
“I want to thank the BRDC for having faith in my abilities and I will do my best to continue to get results and develop my career as a racing driver.” said Hamilton. “It makes me very proud to be the third Hamilton generation to be involved with the prestigious BRDC Club. I know my grandfather would have been very proud. Having the support of my family is very important to me, especially my father, and to now have the support of the BRDC community is a great honour and privilege. Plans for this season are being finalised and hopefully I will be able to announce soon which car will bear my Rising Star ‘roundel’.”
“Archie was spotted as a potential Rising Star by one of our scouts last season on the basis of his achievements in International GT Open where he has done very well.” said BRDC Director Ian Titchmarsh. “The BRDC tends to identify people who will qualify for full membership in due course. The sort of racing that Archie’s doing in endurance is good as we like to see a broad range of categories. There are criteria to qualify for full membership and he is on his way.”
