Originially, the club - founded by one of the famous Bentley Boys, Dudley Benjafield - was only open to drivers and had 25 members. Little by little, it welcomed valuable motorsports personalities, but as Associate Members as only drivers are able to fulfill the conditions to become outright members. To do so, one must be British or from one of the Commonwealth States, take the start of eight races per season for at least three not necessarily consecituve seasons and…claim podium finishes consistently.

Would you like to become a member without having to satisfy any requirements? There is only one way: Honourary Member, but by invitation only! Unless you are a young, British talent taking part in one of the two programs reserved for them, but even then only Junior Member status is bestowed.

Every year, the BRDC - currently presided over by former F1 driver Derek Warwick who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the World Endurance Championship in 1992 - grants awards: Gold Stars and Silver Stars for national championships. Each active member scores points according to very precise scale and winners in the two classifications are awarded at the end of the season. Over time, other trophies are added honouring among others the highest ranked British driver at the 24 Hours of Le Mans or a deserving engineer and even an individual having demonstrated noted and exceptional team spirit.

Far from simply being a group of ladies and gentlemen, the BRDC has owned the Silverstone circuit since 1971, the year it was bought from the Ministry of Defense through the Silverstone Circuits Limited company. As such, it hosts the Formula Grand Prix each year, and also MotoGP since 2010. To keep Formula 1, renovation work has been carried out these last few years, with new pits and a remodeled layout.