Club looks to the next 100 years with AGM at the RAC Club in LondonThree fresh new faces join the BARC CouncilChairman Simon Clark hails bright future for the Club

Last week saw the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) hold its Annual General Meeting at the prestigious RAC Club in London. After an extremely positive 2014 so far, it was an AGM of lively discussions looking ahead to a bright future for the Club.The meeting was very well-attended and, such is the momentum behind the newly re-branded BARC that nine people stood for the four available places on the Council. What’s more, once the ballot papers had been counted and verified it was revealed that three of the four chosen Council members will be fresh faces.Martin Hunt is the only member to have been re-elected, having served on the Council since 2007. For the last ten years, Hunt has been the Club’s Rescue Coordinator, writes ‘Marshals Matter’ and is a member of the BARC’s Marshals Core Working Group.The three newly-elected members are Dennis Carter, Rhodri Jenkins and Bruce Grant-Braham, who share between them a wealth of experience and diverse skills.Grant-Braham is the Director of the Motorsport Research Group at Bournemouth University, where he’s a leader in sport marketing – specialising in the economic impacts of motorsport events from the UK to Macau. Originally a Club marshal, Bruce went on to edit the Club magazine in the 1980s and as a keen author – having written two books on Formula 1 and two on Thruxton – is a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers. His experience in sports tourism will undoubtedly help boost the already growing appeal of BARC circuits, championships and events.Jenkins is an ARDS instructor at Pembrey and has been on the BARC Pembrey Board for the past five years. He is also Chairman of the Welsh Sports and Saloon Car Championship, and will continue to help the Club best utilise its valuable assets in Wales and further afield.Finally, Carter takes up a role on the BARC Council after first joining the Club as Competitions Director back in 1988, before taking over as Chief Executive – a position he held until taking semi-retirement in December, 2012 and finally retiring from a staff position a year later. Dennis has sat on a multitude of motorsport boards, including the MSA Race Committee, MSA Council, MSA Board and Association of Motor Racing Circuit Owners, which he chaired for 20 years. Carter also still acts as a Clerk of the Course, Race Director and Steward both nationally and internationally, keeping his finger on the pulse of day-to-day racing.With the energetic AGM revving into life what is sure to be one of the most pivotal periods in the BARC’s long and illustrious history, Chairman Simon Clark enthusiastically comments:“It was fantastic to see such a great turnout for our Annual General Meeting, and indeed so many candidates putting themselves forward for positions on the council. Ray Sumner, Frank Bradley and John Hopkinson have all done fantastic jobs for the BARC and remain valued members of the Club; I am very sorry to lose them and their wisdom as they have given great service to the Club on Council, but I am sure they will continue to be very involved in the Club’s activities. At the same time, we’re also delighted to welcome three new members to the Council who will bring a different view and provoke new and invigorating debate.“2014 represents a fresh start for the BARC, which was kick-started with the rebranding of the Club earlier in the year, and everyone involved is extremely enthusiastic about the future. The Club enjoyed a successful maiden century but it is important that we remain current and innovative as this is about the next 100 years, featuring a new look and a more modern approach.“Everyone in the Club recognises this and the AGM was an extremely positive discussion where candid views, opinions and suggestions will help to shape the next 12 months and beyond.”