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Brooklands, Surrey

The history of motor racing might be said to begin with the Paris-Rouen race of 1894. This was a reliability trial. Just completing the journey was a triumph. The following year Emile Levassor won the Paris-Bordeaux at an average speed of fifteen miles an hour. But automotive technology quickly improved. By 1903 cars were able to achieve nintey miles an hour, and the Paris - Madrid race of that year was marred by many accidents. Marcel Renault, among others, was killed, and the race was called off at Bordeaux. Following this disastrous race, city to city races were stopped. In 1906 the Vanderbilt Cup was very badly organised, with spectators milling about on the road. By this time there was a clear need for closed circuits which would be easier to police and maintain. A circuit would also allow control of access to motor racing's most important resource, the race itself. In France a forty eight mile circuit based on Dieppe was created, but such a huge circuit continued to have the disadvantages of the old city to city races. It was a land owner in Surrey, Hugh Locke King, who was building a track that would be the blueprint for the type of circuit on which motor racing would one day be based.

Locke King's original vision was for a fairly unadventurous road circuit. But aiming to achieve the contradictory goals of high speed and safety, a design of a 2.75 mile circuit with huge banked corners was settled upon. The concrete, 100 meter wide circuit was built in nine months by Colonel Holden of the Royal Artillery, and when it opened in 1907 Brooklands was the world's first purpose built motor racing circuit. A few days after the opening ceremony a twenty four hour speed record was set at Brooklands by Selwyn Francis Edge, covering 1,581 miles at an average speed of sixty six miles an hour. Then Brooklands career as a motor racing circuit began on 6th July 1907 with its first motor race. With no traditions to call upon, the atmosphere of a horse race was used to make people feel at home. The term "paddock" is still used today for the area where the teams gather as they prepare for a race. This term is a distant echo of early races at Brooklands.

Sheds where Donald Campbell built his Bluebird cars

Following World War One racing at Brooklands continued, with the first British Grand Prix being run at the track in 1926. Into the 1930s competition from Donnignton Park and Crystal Palace drove the building of a new road circuit within the perimeter of the old, with some of the old course incorporated, as happened decades later at Indianapolis. Brooklands was also the base used by Malcolm Campbell for the building of his world land speed record cars of the 1930s. Brooklands was still a successful venue in 1939 when the Second World War began. But the war brought damage to the circuit. Brooklands was an important site for military aircraft manufacture, and was targeted by German bombers. The track was damaged both by bombs and by attempts to camouflage the circuit with tress. Brooklands was unable to recover as a venue following the war's end in 1945.

Brooklands is no longer used as a race track, but the clubhouse, and sections of the track remain. A motor and aviation museum has been created within the old infield. There are many interesting exhibits at Brooklands, including famous racing cars and aircraft. Aviation history at Brooklands is as significant as that of motor racing. The first powered flight by an Englishman took place at Brooklands in 1908. Early aircraft manufacture then took place at Brooklands, with the film Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines being based on the Daily Mail Circuit of Britain Air Race held at Brooklands in 1911. Military aircraft were built here during both First and Second World Wars. Then Brooklands became an important centre for commercial aircraft manufacture. Sections of the the supersonic airliner Concorde were built here, and today the "Delta Golf" Concorde is preserved at the site. Delta Golf was used to test Concorde's technology, and was the first aircraft to carry one hundred passangers at twice the speed of sound. Other aircraft from both the First World War and Second World War are on display.

 

"Delta Golf"

Today the area of Brooklands is virtually a motoring and aviation theme park. Mercedes Benz World is close by offering driving experiences. The Brooklands Hotel offers convenient modern accommodation.

Opening Times: Open daily from 10am to 5pm in the summer, 10am to 4pm in the winter. Brooklands define summer and winter as when the clocks change. Last admission is one hour before closing. Closed from 3pm on 23rd December until 10am on 29th December.

Address: Brooklands Road, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 0QN

Directions: Brooklands is just off the B374, a few minutes from junction 10 of the M25. The nearest railway station is at Weybridge, Surrey, about a mile away from the track. Click here for an interactive map of the area around Brooklands. Use the satellite function to see Brooklands from the air.

Access: Wheelchair access is good to all exhibits at Brooklands. There are adapted toilet facilities.

Contact:

telephone: 01932 857381.

e-mail: info@brooklands museum.com

web site: www.brooklandsmuseum.com