The British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) announced today (Monday), that Sir Jackie Stewart, President of the Club since the year 2000, will not be seeking re-election as President at the Club's AGM in the Spring of 2006.

Sir Jackie said, "By Spring this year I will have been President for 6 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. We are presently engaged in exciting new plans to position Silverstone as a modern Centre of Excellence for British motorsport and its industry.

Up to the AGM, with my colleagues on the Board, I intend to make, I hope, a significant contribution with our new property and leisure development partners with whom we are presently in discussions on behalf of the Club. At the last AGM I committed to our membership that the Board would seek professional assistance in the restructuring of our management and business procedures at the BRDC. This I intend to have completed before my retirement at our AGM in the Spring of this year. After our AGM 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, said, "Sir Jackie has for some time informed the Board that he could not continue giving the time he has in the last 6 years to the BRDC as President and as a Director of the Club. 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.

"During the run up to the AGM we hope to have concluded our agreement with a new business partner which is to be approved by our Members at an EGM.

"Sir Jackie, by giving the Board ample notice that he will not seek re-election, has given us three months to seek a Presidential successor to continue to meet the many challenges that the Club faces in the future."