FEBRUARY 25, 2005

Stuart Rolt to be new chairman of BRDC

Stuart Rolt has been elected the new chairman of the British Racing Drivers' Club. He replaces Ray Bellm. Rolt is the son of former Formula 1 driver and Le Mans winner Tony Rolt, who ran the family FF Developments business, which was originally set up after World War II when Rolt and his mechanic Freddy Dixon began developing four-wheel-drive systems. This later attracted support from tractor magnate Harry Ferguson and became known as FF Developments. In the early 1960s FF Developments built a 4WD racing car to demonstrate the value of four-wheel drive technology and Tony Rolt drove the Ferguson P99 car, which became the only 4WD vehicle to win a Formula 1 race when Stirling Moss drove it to victory in the Gold Cup at Oulton Park. The 4WD concept was also quite successful in America and in 1966 was built into the Jensen FF road car.

Rolt will work with the board to run the BRDC businesses, leaving Jackie Stewart to enjoy the role of president.