Brundle to Stand Down as BRDC Chairman

Martin Brundle is to be replaced as chairman of the British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) at the end of December and will be succeeded by Ray Bellm.

Brundle will retire as chairman having served for four years, as well as eight years on the board, from which he will retire at the AGM in May 2004.

"It has been a privilege to be the chairman of the board of the BRDC," Brundle said. "I am very satisfied with the achievements under my tenure regarding the development of Silverstone, the Young Driver Initiatives, stability of the Club and the future of the British Grand Prix but there remains much to do.

"Under the club mandate I must stand down as a director early next year, having served three terms. It is wise to have a calm handover of the chairmanship during the relative quiet of the off-season.

"I am delighted that Ray Bellm has accepted the post and my thanks go to the members, my board, my club executives and staff and of course to the president, Sir Jackie Stewart, who has given invaluable help and advice to me."

Bellm, who has had a highly successful career in business across the pharmaceutical and motorsport industries and in property development, will take up the role from January 1 2004.

Bellm also enjoyed major success through the 1980s and 1990s in sports cars including world championship titles. He claimed two Le Mans wins in the 1990s and was champion in the 1996 Global GT Championship in a McLaren F1 GTR.

Stewart, president of the BRDC, said: "First, a massive thank you to Martin Brundle for his leadership and unstinting effort he has put into being chairman over the last four years. In challenging and changing times Martin made a major contribution to putting our club finances on a sound footing for the benefit of our club members.

"He always championed our Young Drivers initiatives and fought with the rest of us to retain the British Grand Prix and helped to provide the base that I believe we have now achieved to expand and improve our facilities at Silverstone.

"All club members and indeed the motorsport world owe Martin a big thank you for his efforts and we know he will continue to support the club, and especially the Grand Prix in the future."