Air Vice Marshal Sir Ben Ball C.B.E. C.B. K.C.B President of the club from 1971 until his untimely death in 1977 was far more than a presidential figurehead in the club. Paramount was the unswerving encouragement and active interest he displayed at all times in the club’s promotion and activities. Following his death and in the same year the absence of the Hutchinson 100 it was decided to name the meeting held on the Brands GP circuit in his honour.

The Sir Ben Ball Trophy (you see left) is a scale silver model of a Singapore Flying Boat, specially made for and presented to the club by Lady Ball, its awarded annually  to recognise an outstanding members achievement during the season. The reason a flying boat was chosen is that Sir Ben flew these with RAF No 209 squadron from 1935 – 1939.