Croydon’s Bradley Ellis has been confirmed as a full member of the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC), effective immediately for the 2008 season.
The 20-year-old was elected for membership following his astonishing 2007 efforts to seal the Avon Tyres British GT Championship crown in his debut GT3 season. “I am delighted to have been invited to become a full member of the BRDC,” said Ellis. “I have always wanted to be a member since I started my racing career, so it is a great honour and a privilege. The BRDC is the foundation for British motorsport and I look forward to upholding the Club’s values.”
With an impressive race CV, Ellis is a former British kart champion, who competed in the BRDC Stars of Tomorrow kart championship, and a European karting race winner. Ellis launched his single seater career in 2004 in the Formula Renault Italia championship but returned to the UK to race in Formula Renault in 2005.
It was, however, a move to the Avon Tyres British GT Championship in 2006 that saw Ellis flourish. Competing in the GTC class, he immediately impressed with three wins and several podium finishes securing third in the championship.
The natural graduation to GT3 in 2007 was a recipe for success. Again racing in partnership with fellow BRDC member Alex Mortimer, equipped with the Team RPM Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, the pairing proved explosive. Although they had to fight hand over fist for every point last year, the dynamic duo clinched the spoils at the final round, with four wins, two second and two third-place finishes.
During 2007, Ellis also stunned the opposition on his FIA GT3 European debut at Monza, Italy, where he scored a sensational second, earning a place on the podium.
Founded in 1928, the BRDC has grown to become the most prestigious racing club in the world and membership currently totals over 850. The entry criteria to the Club is very strict with full membership only offered to drivers who have attained international success over a number of seasons.
Ellis joins some of the most prestigious motor racing names in history on the BRDC roll of honour and he will now proudly display the BRDC badge on his helmet and race suit. As the Avon Tyres British GT Champion, Ellis is in the enviable position of considering a number of high profile options for the coming season.
