The illustrious histories of Brooklands and Motor Sport magazine are inexorably linked, and will be reunited later this summer for a landmark celebration honouring the centenary of Britain’s very first Grand Prix. The special event is being organised by Brooklands Museum and will take place on Saturday 8 August.
Brooklands, the world’s first purpose-built, banked motor racing circuit, was constructed in the Surrey countryside and opened in 1907. It quickly became Britain’s motorsport capital, hosting the country’s first-ever official Grand Prix in August 1926 (photo above).
Such was the escalating popularity of automotive competition, combined with a growing appetite for newsprint, that the Brooklands Gazette was founded in 1924.
Widening its horizons, the exciting new publication was renamed Motor Sport a year later, becoming the authoritative voice of the sport – a position it still holds today as the world’s oldest and longest-running magazine dedicated to all forms of motor racing.
As the country’s premier title, Motor Sport’s coverage of the landmark 1926 Grand Prix of the Royal Automobile Club (see below) was both extensive and effusive:
“A brighter scene than Brooklands on August 7th 1926 would be hard to imagine,” it reported. “Sunshine, dresses, sumptuous cars, grass, trees, advertisements, and lastly the little green and blue projectiles themselves – such is the picture retained in the mind of this great event.”
Now, 100 years later, Motor Sport will return to Brooklands as an official media partner to the Brooklands Grand Prix Centenary Celebration. Marking the milestone anniversary in fitting style, an anticipated 100 Grand Prix cars from all eras will be on display at the evocative Brooklands Museum.
Adding to the celebrations, many of the earlier machines will rev up once again on sections of the original banked circuit, while more recent Formula 1 cars will join them in action on the adjoining test track at Mercedes-Benz World – located within the historic 2.75-mile speedway.
“This centenary celebration is a truly special moment not just for Brooklands, but for British motorsport as a whole,” said Alex Patterson, Chief Executive of Brooklands Museum. “To bring together such an extraordinary collection of Grand Prix cars at the very place where it all began is incredibly exciting, and we look forward to welcoming Motor Sport – a magazine that was born here at Brooklands – to be part of this historic occasion.”
“Brooklands is woven into the DNA of Motor Sport magazine, so to return as an official partner for this landmark anniversary is hugely significant,” confirmed Joe Dunn, Editor of Motor Sport. “The 1926 Grand Prix was a defining moment for both the sport and our publication, and it’s an honour to celebrate that shared heritage 100 years on.”
Tickets for the Brooklands Grand Prix Celebration are now available via the official website: www.brooklandsmuseum.com. Adult admission is priced at £39.95 in advance, with tickets for accompanied children aged 4 to 17 (under 4s are free) available at £19.95. Brooklands Members are able to purchase tickets to an exclusive VIP Preview evening on the Friday and are offered Saturday admission for £19.95 (child £9.95)—a special price that includes an official programme.
Early booking is strongly advised, as record numbers of tickets have already been purchased for what is expected to be a truly outstanding – and sell-out – occasion.
Photo captions. Top: Henry Segrave (Talbot) leads Robert Benoist (Delage) through one of the temporary chicanes created for Britain’;s very first Grand Prix at Brooklands in 1926 – a milestone race covered by Motor Sport magazine (credit: Brookland Museum Trust). Above and below:Motor Sport magazine began life as the Brooklands Gazette in 1924 – its coverage of the seminal 1926 Grand Prix described the occasion as ‘the greatest race ever seen at Brooklands’.
Report by Brooklands 100
