JANUARY 31, 2006

Troubles stirring at the BRDC

The news that the British Racing Drivers' Club has the basis of a deal with St Modwen to redevelop the facility has created problems within the consistently problematical club with some members beginning to argue that the planned 150-year lease which will be granted to St Modwen is not the best answer.

The news that the British Racing Drivers' Club has the basis of a deal with St Modwen to redevelop the facility has created problems within the consistently problematical club with some members beginning to argue that the planned 150-year lease which will be granted to St Modwen is not the best answer.

The dissenters are, according to the Daily Telegraph, led by Harry Stiller, a 67-year-old who raced between 1958 and 1969 and won the British Formula 3 Championship in 1966 and 1967. Later he ran racing teams until 1975 during wwhich time he helped to launch the career of World Champion Alan Jones. Stiller says he has an alternative proposal which will keep the circuit in the hands of the membership and argues that while it is good to have the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, it is not essential if the deal does not make financial sense.

Stiller says that the membership has been kept too much in the dark in the negotiations.