Membership
The BARC Tradition
If you want to compete at Gurston Down at any of our club meetings and are not a member or entrant in the invited club or championships, you will need to join the BARC as a standard member AND add the South West Centre. YOU DON’T NEED A RACE MEMBERSHIP to compete at Gurston Down Speed Hill Climb.
We are responsible for organising some of the most prestigious meetings on the international racing calendar. In addition, our expertise enables us to advise companies and organisations worldwide.
For members without the desire or time for an active involvement, our lively magazine “Startline” keeps them up to date with the club activities and includes a range of useful and exclusive discounts on products and services such as insurances, accessories, museum/circuit admissions, plus much more.
Racing members compete in everything from 2CV’s and Sprints, to Formula Renault, F3 and even F1 Grand Prix. We arrange test days and advise those wishing to advance their motor racing career.
Our marshals form the backbone of meetings, with over 350 involved at major events, including the British Grand Prix. Our training programme allows confident and safe progression through each of the disciplines they wish to experience. This extends from Paddock and Track duties, to specialist areas, such as Race Rescue Units, Race Control and Clerk of the Course.
We also arrange a number of high profile non-racing events (such as the acclaimed Gurston Down Hillclimb), and the season comes to a grand conclusion at the Headquarters “Big Night Out” awards Dinner/Dance ceremony.
Centres organise their own celebratory Dinner and Dance evenings, at which the annual award ceremonies and presentations take place. For details of the annual Gurston Dinner and Dance, which usually takes place in November, see our Latest News page where full details will be published towards the end of the Season once final arrangements have been made.
BARC MEMBERS BENEFITS
Six types of Membership are available (see below). Basic Membership runs for a full twelve-months from the first day of the month you join – not from January to December.
Our Racing Members can compete in over thirty Motorsport UK registered championships. NOT REQUIRED FOR COMPETING AT GURSTON DOWN
An annual programme of race meetings and other activities at BARC venues, is sent free to all members, besides being fully detailed on the Headquarters website.
We operate our own marshals’ training and grading scheme, and Headquarters offer a unique stamp scheme to offset membership and regalia costs.
Our lively and informative bi-monthly Startline magazine is sent free to members.
There is a Members discount scheme for RAC Rescue and breakdown services.
The BARC Travel Club offers special packages and Channel crossings.
Trade discounts and special insurance schemes.
Gold-cover travel insurance is available at exceptional rates.
Preferential rates for special events including the BARC annual awards dinner.
Basic Club Membership (also suitable for Overseas Members)
Currently £40.00
This entitles Members to carry the BARC badge, receive the BARC Startline Magazine free, benefit from trade discounts, get concessions on spectating at Thruxton, and enjoy social and training events organised nationally by the club.
Members are welcome to train as officials or marshals.
Joint Membership
Currently an additional £10.00
A Member’s spouse or partner may join the Club at a reduced rate, becoming a Joint Member with no additional joining fee.
Joint members receive only one copy of Startline, and may not take out Racing Membership.
Centre Membership – South Western for Gurston Down
Currently an additional £15.00 per Centre.
Membership of the various Centres is available for a small additional annual fee. You may join as many Centre’s as you wish. Centre Membership entitles you to take part in that centre’s social and competition events and to receive their magazine or newsletter.
Hill Climb and Sprint competitors only need to hold an appropriate Centre Membership in addition to the Basic Club Membership; they do not need to hold Racing Membership.
A Centre Member’s spouse or partner may become a Joint Member of that Centre for an extra £5.00
Junior Membership
Currently £7.00
Those aged between 10 and 17 may join the club as Junior Members for an annual subscription of £7.00
They are entitled to the BARC Startline Magazine, to carry the BARC badge, to benefit from trade discounts and to receive special spectating concessions at Thruxton. They will transfer to Full Membership at the age of 18.
Junior Members need to submit an annual photograph; passport size is preferred.
Joining Us
Contact our Headquarters Membership Secretary, Angie Kew on 01264 882200,
or speak directly with the Gurston Competition Secretary, Paul Webster on 01489 571359.
Finally, you may contact Gurston directly by e-Mail. Comments, requests or information can be sent to gurstonhill@btinternet.com
Payment of Membership fees
Membership fees may be paid by either of the following methods :-
By cheque, made payable to “British Automobile Racing Club” and crossed.
By the use of Visa, Access, Mastercard or Switch cards.
By Direct Debit.
Payment by Direct Debit is our preferred method. Payment by this method saves both you and the BARC a great deal of time and administration. It allows us to collect from your bank the correct subscription for the class of membership selected, at the precise time that renewal becomes due. It ensures that your subscription is never overlooked.
The BARC will inform you at least six weeks in advance of the amount of your subscription payment which will be debited to your account. This gives you plenty of time to change your class of membership if required, or to cancel your membership – by writing to your bank and BARC – if you so wish.
Your interests are fully protected by the fact that the BARC has completed, and lodged, the prescribed Form of Indemnity in favour of your banker with the Committee of London Clearing Banks.
If the BARC should originate a Direct Debit in error, you may seek immediate reimbursement from the BARC through your banker under the indemnity.
There are many advantages to both the member and to the BARC in using Direct Debit. If you would like to pay your subscription in this way, please indicate accordingly on the Membership application form and we will send you the necessary mandate.