GP2 ace Karun Chandhok has become the first Indian racer to be invited to join the British Racing Drivers Club.
The BRDC includes only a select few international drivers, with Chandhok having received his offer thanks to India's position as part of the Commonwealth.
"The BRDC is a Club for the very best racing drivers from Great Britain and the Commonwealth," BRDC secretary Stuart Pringle said. "Karun is the first Indian driver to meet the exacting entry requirements of success in international motor sport, but I am quite sure he just the first of many of his countrymen and women.
"Indeed, Karun doesn't just meet the entry criteria for the Club, he surpasses them by someway and we are delighted to welcome him as a member of the Club."
Chandhok himself said he was thrilled to be offered the chance to join the BRDC.
"To be a member of the BRDC is our racing equivalent of becoming a member of the MCC at Lords in Cricket or The All England Lawn Tennis club at Wimbledon," he said. "I feel very proud to be the first person from my country to join the BRDC.
"Racing in the UK has been a huge part of my life and my career and it's a great feeling to be recognised by the people over here. The BRDC is based at
Silverstone which is pretty much my home circuit until we get the Indian Grand Prix in 2011.
"I used to work here at the racing school during my
F3 days and got to know more about the BRDC and appreciate how important and exclusive membership to the club is."