Brooklands

The first motor racing track in Britain.

Born 1907

Brooklands was the world's first purpose built oval speedway course. And it wasn't a normal one. It was a simply ENORMOUS one. It was to be a gigantic road course. but then the builder changed his mind. He wanted an oval speedway course because he went to see a major race in Europe. and there was no british cars or drivers. And that made him disappointed. And on motorways top speed was only 20 mph. So he designed a track. It had two enormous bankings at 30 ft high. two long straights at 100 ft wide. an additional 'Finishing Straight' and two bridges. The first bridge was the Members' Bridge. where people could watch drivers zoom down Members' Straight. But under Members' Banking. there was a tunnel. It was called the Entrance Tunnel. a tunnel where cars got onto the track. Drivers also used Members' Bridge to drive over but people needed to clear the decks otherwise they would die. In 1909 a hill called Test Hill was built for acceleration and braking tests. But road tracks were built as well. The grand prix was built in 1923. the Mountain Circuit was built in 1930 and the Malcolm Campbell Circuit was built in 1937. The Napier Railton was Brooklands' fastest car. And in 1939. Brooklands sold the amazing race track to Vickers Armstrongs. and in 1940. Vickers marked the death of Brooklands. You can still have a ride in vintage cars round the remains. But Mercedes-Benz. a German sports car maker. have brought some of the land and are planning on putting Brooklands back to normal. You can also join the campaign to join Mercedes-Benz on the way to save Brooklands.