CENTENARY FESTIVAL BRINGS LEGENDARY FORMULA 1 DISPLAY TO BROOKLANDS

Filed under: Classic News |
With less than two weeks to go until the Brooklands Centenary Festival launches its unprecedented weekend of celebrations, organisers have confirmed the festival will feature some of the most influential speed machines in the history of Formula 1. From the moment it opened in June 1907, Brooklands became a magnet for those who wanted to shatter the limits of speed and technology. The 100-foot wide straights and towering 30-foot banking witnessed countless motor racing records being made and broken, from the first 24-hour world driving record (1907) to three world land speed records not to mention cars such as Malcolm Campbell’s Bluebirds which were built at Brooklands but needed greater space to take the record over 300mph (1935). Continuing in the spirit of those early pioneers of speed and performance, the Formula 1 display will be a fitting tribute to add to the celebrations marking 100 years of Brooklands and 100 years of British motorsport. Formula 1 through the ages On 16 th and 17 th June, visitors to the festival will experience the thrill of Formula 1 legends speeding along the neighbouring Mercedes-Benz World circuits at Brooklands. The display will feature a 1958 Cooper Climax (driven by Jim Russell), conjuring images of Sir Stirling Moss and Sir Jack Brabham’s era, and the 2006 Team McLaren Mercedes MP4-21 Formula 1 car. Visitors will also enjoy displays from the 1990 GT World Championship-winning Sauber-Mercedes C11, the unparalleled Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and the latest supercars from Ferrari, Koenigsegg, Ascari, Bentley and Spyker. The festival will host the largest collection of Brooklands machines since the track closed nearly 70 years ago. Once again, the hallowed Brooklands circuit will resonate to the sound of thundering engines as the track’s most famous racers take to the banking, while historic Brooklands aircraft soar overhead. Races re-enacted On Saturday highlights will include a re-creation of the 1935 BRDC 500 mile race by the surviving grid, a special appearance by the original Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, an awesome line up of 10-litre plus cars worth tens of millions of pounds, pre-WWII motorcar and motorcycle race grids, Brooklands fastest cars including the land speed record Delage and a pre-WWII air display. On Sunday highlights will include a re-creation of the original 1907 opening cavalcade lap – featuring 50 veteran motorcars from 1909 and earlier, a side-by-side ride by three 1930s Grindlay Peerless motorcycles, a re-creation of the 1929 Double 12 race grids, a special appearance by the 1000hp Sunbeam, 1920s motorcar and motorcycle race grids and an air display including wing walking. Allan Winn, director at Brooklands Museum, said: “Hundreds of the original machines that raced at Brooklands will be back on the famous circuit for one amazing weekend. It promises to capture the glamour and spirit of the original Brooklands motor racing circuit. There will be plenty for everyone to enjoy and all ages - not just motor sport fans.” The Centenary Festival is being held at Brooklands in Weybridge, Surrey, on Saturday 16 th and Sunday 17 th June. Festival goers will be able to enjoy the Brooklands Museum, the full facilities of Mercedes-Benz World and a weekend of entertainment with funfairs, a shopping village, entertainers and a myriad of vehicles reminding people of the golden era of motor racing in the UK.Tags:,