Brooklands Reunion – 16th August 2015
22 August 2015
The allure of the glamorous 1930s on a typical race day at Brooklands in warm weather was what attracted over 1,600 visitors to the site for the annual Brooklands Reunion on Sunday 16th August.
Marking the 76th anniversary of the closing of the track, it once again attracted the very best in participants, vehicles, displays and demonstrations for spectators to enjoy. 2015 also marks the 80th anniversaries of two outstanding records at the track: the fastest pre-war 500 mile race anywhere in the world, and the setting of the ultimate Outer Circuit lap record. The car that triumphed on both of those occasions, John Cobb’s mighty Napier-Railton Special, was joined by many other record-breakers and race-winners, in a day of action celebrating the best and fastest of pre-war racing.
Amongst the special Brooklands racing cars appearing on the day were Tom McWhirter’s twin rear-wheeled ex-Tommy Wisdom Jaguar SS100, Alastair Pugh’s 1932 TT Replica Frazer Nash, Peter Colborne-Baber’s Stafford Special, David Hescroff’s AC Acedes and Jerry Larke’s Morgan Brooklands Aero. The Morgan is very special, as it held the Outer Circuit Record for Cyclecars, while Alistair’s Frazer Nash was first car home in the 1932 JCC High Speed Trial, at a speed of 85.3 mph. Anthony Mottram’s S-Type Invicta was used as a tow car for his racing Lagonda by Brooklands driver Lindsay Eccles and David Ozanne’s 1911 Delage Coupe de l‘Auto also attended. Making a statement whether they were in the Paddock or blasting up Test Hill, John Dennis’ Berliet-Curtiss and Robin Beech’s spectacular 27-litre Handlye Special wowed the crowds as usual.
Representation on two wheels was exceptional this year with Adam Huddle circumnavigating the site on his 1933 Raleigh whilst in front of the Shell and BP Pagodas, beautiful examples of pre-1940 Norton, Triumph, Francis Barnett, Rudge and BSA motorcycles added to the eclectic mix. Marking Brooklands’ 80 year legacy with aviation, the Demoiselle and White monoplane engines were demonstrated in front of the Wellington Hangar to an awe-struck crowd as well as the Sopwith Camel whose own engine celebrates its 100th year next year. The aero engine demonstrations continued with a simultaneous display of Napier Lion engines by the Napier-Railton and Lorne Jacob’s Napier Bluebird.
A vehicle cavalcade on the Mercedes-Benz World track at lunchtime and magnificent ascents up Test Hill in the afternoon mixed with period dress from spectators, 1930s jazz filtering through the air and great food made for an unforgettable day.