Brooklands Motor Course
The world's first purpose-built motor racing track.
Location
Brooklands Road, Weybridge, KT13 0QN
Date
1907 - 1939
Commentary
Brooklands was the first purpose-built motor racing track in the world. The brainchild of a wealthy local landowner Hugh Fortescue Locke-King, it was opened on 17th June 1907. It is probably best known today for the section known as the Byfleet Banking, designed to ensure that cars lapped at maximum speeds without slowing down.
Although initially developed for motor racing, Brooklands was also used for land speed records, motor industry testing and development, the manufacture of Itala cars (until 1915), and motor bike and cycle racing.
Soon after the track was constructed, Brooklands became a venue for flying competitions and, for many years, a centre for aircraft manufacture. Links with the aviation industry are still retained today.
Former trackside buildings and a small part of the original track are still visible at the Brooklands Museum.
Further details
• www.brooklands.org.uk
• www.brooklandsmuseum.com
• www.bankingonbrooklands.org.uk
• Motor racing circuits in England: then and now, Peter Swinger, Ian Allan, 2001.
• The Fast Set, Charles Jennings, Abacus, 2004