Stewart won't run for BRDC re-election

The club members will vote on their new president at the Annual General Meeting this Spring to decide on a successor to Stewart, who has been president of the BRDC since 2000.

The move comes after Stewart won a bitter fight with former chairman Ray Bellm to retain the right to be president last May.

Stewart, who then denounced a campaign calling him to resign, won his fight to retain his presidency after winning the support of members at an Extraordinary General Meeting.

However, Stewart has now decided not to stand for re-election, instead choosing to retire from his position as president and from the board. He has promised to stay on until the AGM and give his full commitment to the presidency.

Stewart said: "By Spring this year I will have been president for six years during an exciting and challenging time for the club.

"It was an honour when I was asked by the late Ken Tyrrell to succeed him by allowing my name to go forward for election as President of the Club. Ken was a hero and mentor to me for almost forty years and I could not have said no.

"During my time as president we have fought many battles, not least almost annually the one to retain the British Grand Prix.

"I will continue to give the BRDC my 100 per cent support and goodwill. If requested, I will always be happy to offer advice and assistance to what is the most prestigious motor racing club in the world."

Stuart Rolt, chairman of the BRDC Board, paid tribute to Stewart's work as president. "Sir Jackie has for some time informed the board that he could not continue giving the time he has in the last six years to the BRDC as president and as a director of the club," Rolt said.

"Sir Jackie has presided over the club for six challenging years and sometimes turbulent times, always giving his vast experience not only as one of our greatest-ever racing drivers, but also his very considerable talents as a successful international businessman.

"We thank him for everything he has done for the club and look forward to his continuing support as president until the AGM."