Former BARC Chief Executive Dennis Carter was the recipient of the highest award presented by the Club and its Council, a BARC Gold Medal, at the annual Awards Evening this past weekend (Saturday 26th February).

On what proved to be a memorable night at the Old Thorns Hotel in Liphook where champions, officials and volunteers were honoured for their 2021 achievements, Dennis took centre stage to be commemorated for the contribution he has given not only to the BARC but international and national motorsport.

Not given out every year, the accolade is awarded by the Council of the BARC for outstanding achievement in motor racing by British subjects, with an impressive roll of honour dating back to 1955 already in place.

Predecessors of Dennis that have been awarded a BARC Gold Medal include seven-time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner, Former McLaren boss Ron Dennis and three-time Le Mans 24-hr winner Allan McNish, to name but a few. 

Joining the BARC in 1988 as Competitions Director, he became Chief Executive within a couple of years and went on to hold the position for more than two decades. During that time he played a vital part in the global success of the BTCC, Goodwood Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival as well as playing an integral part in ensuring Formula 1 visited Donington Park in 1993. 

Despite retiring from his CEO status in 2013, Dennis has continued to be involved in the sport as BTCC Race Director and also National and International Race Director and stewarding roles. Recently he has been confirmed, once again, as Race Director for W Series.

Commenting on the award, Dennis said: “It has been a fabulous evening and I enjoyed it for obvious reasons having been awarded the BARC Gold Medal. I was given an award at the Motorsport UK Night of Champions in January so I think people are trying to tell me it is time to retire.

“The BARC means an awful lot to me and it is a privilege to be the recipient of a Gold Medal. I love the sport, particularly the grass roots end of it and it is great to see a lot of up and coming drivers attend the BARC Awards – they’re the future and we need to find a way to ensure we make it cheaper for them to get into the sport.”

Listen to the full interview with the latest BARC Gold Medal recipient, Dennis Carter, HERE.