What does "Natonal Open" status mean?

In the 1950s/60s some British race meetings had a status of "National Open". I think this meant that they were open to foreign competitors but Graded (ie Grand Prix) drivers were excluded. Can anyone confirm whether this correct?

From the RAC Motor Sport Yearbook 1963

'National (Open) - i.e. Races open to any holder of a competition licence issued by the RAC, valid for the event, and any foreign competitor holding an unrestricted FIA competition licence other than those listed by the FIA as permitted to take part only in races graded as "International".'

Peter
Thanks very much
RAP

I've often wondered about that too.

While we're on this topic can somebody please explain the others?

I know 'Closed' meant entries were limited to the organising club, but were the meetings open to spectators?

And "Restricted" meant entries were limited to members of certain clubs.

But what of the others? I think there were 'National' and 'National British' plus of course 'International'. I vaguely remember another one but can't put a name to it.

Originally posted by D-Type
I've often wondered about that too.

While we're on this topic can somebody please explain the others?

I know 'Closed' meant entries were limited to the organising club, but were the meetings open to spectators?

And "Restricted" meant entries were limited to members of certain clubs.

But what of the others? I think there were 'National' and 'National British' plus of course 'International'. I vaguely remember another one but can't put a name to it.

By the mid 60s the classifications were something like

"Closed" - only members of the organising club could take part
"Restricted" - the organising club plus whoever they invited, in practice BARC or BRSCC members could probably get into most meetings!

I don't think there have been race meetings behind closed doors in Britain, apart from some JRRDS-only ones in the early 90s?

(I think some sprints are competitors-and-hangers-on only - places like Colerne that are on military installations in Wiltshire's major-league spook area near scary places beloved of Ufologists and conspiracy theorists and the barking mad like Corsham Computer Centre and RAF Rudloe Manor and the underground city/bunker/arms dump in the quarries near Box Tunnel...)

In addition to what has already been said: National British means that the event is liited to drivers holding an unedorsed FIA Licence issued by the RAC. International events were open to competitirs of any nationality holding an unendorsed FA liceince. Closed, Restricted, National British, National Open and International are the only categories I know of.

The restriction on foreign drivers in National Open events ("those listed by the FIA as permitted to take part only in races graded as "International"), I have also seen worded as "those who are seeded on the FIA International list". I assume this means graded drivers.

Some time later the National Open catagory was renamed 'International' and the former International which allowed graded drivers was called 'International Open' Not sure what the current status is.Newest FIA Year Book I have is 1992. Do graded drivers still exist?