BRDC GOLD STAR (AS OF 28th JANUARY 2008)
Just eight weeks after Lewis Hamilton was presented with his 2007 BRDC Gold Star at the BRDC Annual Awards Luncheon in London, the race for the prestigious 2008 award gained momentum when Dario Franchitti, the runner-up last year, won last weekend's Rolex 24 Hours at the Daytona International Speedway.
At the wheel of a TELMEX Chip Ganassi with Felix Sabates Lexus-Rile, Franchitti triumphed in the marathon event with fellow co-drivers, Scott Pruett, Memo Rojas and Juan Pablo Montoya.
Franchitti is joined at the head of the current rankings by Andy Priaulx, the FIA World Touring Car Champion of 2007. Priaulx's victory around the streets of Macau in November came after the cut off for '07 points, and he along with fellow WTCC drivers James Thompson and Rob Huff carry their Macua points into this Gold Star campaign.
Darren Turner and Justin Wilson also both feature in the early running, courtesy of strong Daytona 24 Hour Race finishes, as does Oliver Jarvis who has shown recent form in rounds of the A1GP series representing Team Great Britain.
Points:
1. Dario Franchitti (Grand-Am) 21
2. Andy Priaulx (WTCC) 21
3. James Thompson (WTCC) 19
4. Oliver Jarvis (A1GP) 17
5. Rob Huff (WTCC) 12
6. Darren Turner (Grand-Am) 9
7. Justin Wilson (Grand-Am) 5
Notes: First presented in 1929, the BRDC Gold Star is awarded annually for international achievement. To qualify drivers score points in recognised international events under the Gold Star points-scoring system. The current BRDC Gold Star holder is Lewis Hamilton, and Sir Stirling Moss OBE holds the record for the most victories, ten. The British Racing Drivers' Club celebrates its 80th Anniversary this year.
Ends.
