To celebrate 110 years since the opening of Brooklands, the birthplace of British motorsport, the Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by MasterCard, which takes place from June 29th to July 2nd, will play host to an incredible array of cars and motorcycles from the Surrey circuit’s history.
The brainchild of Hugh Locke King, Brooklands was the world’s first purpose-built race circuit. From its opening in 1907 (the first competitive event was staged on June 28th-29th 1907 – 110 years to the day before the opening of this year’s Festival of Speed) until the outbreak of World War II, it hosted some of the sport’s most memorable characters. Assembled with the support of the Brooklands Museum, the Festival class will celebrate the diverse machinery that made Brooklands great.
Because Brooklands’ banking allowed sustained high speeds, it was the scene of many early Land Speed Record attempts, represented at FoS by cars like the Blitzen Benz, Fiat S76 and ‘Babs’. At the opposite end of the size spectrum are the tiny Austin and MG specials, and three-wheeler Morgans, which were a mainstay of club events, while the first British Grands Prix (held at Brooklands in 1926-27) are represented by a quartet of fabulous Delage 15 S8s. Pride of place goes to the Napier-Railton Special, in which John Cobb set the ultimate Brooklands lap record, at 143.44mph, in 1934. Together, they will be a fitting tribute to the pioneering spirit of Brooklands, the bravery of its drivers, and the creativity of its engineers.
With the outbreak of war in 1939, racing at Brooklands ceased, and the subsequent war effort had a permanent and devastating impact on the circuit – not least in the form of a runway that cut through the Byfleet banking. With the legendary Surrey track permanently out of action, the organisers of the pre-war races eagerly sought an alternative. Spitfire pilot Tony Gaze had already suggested to the president of the Junior Car Club, the Duke of Richmond (himself a successful racer at Brooklands, having won the 500 Mile race for Austin in 1930, and the Double Twelve for MG in 1931), that the perimeter track of the Goodwood airfield would make an ideal racing circuit. And so it was that in 1948 the baton of Britain’s motorsport legacy was passed to Goodwood with the inaugural JCC race meeting. The BARC merged with the JCC the following year, moved to Goodwood, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Saturday and weekend tickets to the Festival of Speed are now sold-out, with Sunday tickets limited and Thursday and Friday tickets selling fast. Hospitality packages are available throughout the weekend. To buy tickets or enquire about hospitality visit www.goodwood.com or call the Goodwood Ticket Office on 01243 755 055.
(ENDS)
EDITORS’ NOTES:
Staged every summer since 1993, the Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by MasterCard is the world’s largest automotive garden party; set against the spectacular backdrop of Goodwood House in West Sussex, UK. Over 600 cars and motorcycles spanning the phenomenal history of motoring and motor sport take part with some of the most legendary figures from the sport as well as international celebrities regularly attending. Highlights will include the Moving Motor Show, Forest Rally Stage, Michelin Supercar Paddock, Michelin Supercar Run, F1 paddock, Drivers’ Club, GAS Arena, Cartier Style et Luxe Concours d’Elegance, Aviation Exhibition and Bonhams Auction.
To access the Goodwood Media Centre for rights free images please click here:
Username: g00dw00d Password: st3rl1ng
For all Media enquiries, please contact Laura Gilbert-Burke or Gema Bernaldo de Quiros at the Goodwood Motor Sport Press Office:
Telephone: +44 (0)1243 755000
E-mail: laura.gilbert-burke@goodwood.com or gema.bernaldo@goodwood.com
About Mastercard
Mastercard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com,is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. Mastercard’s products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MastercardUKBiz, join the discussion on the Cashless Pioneers Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.
Or Emma Fahy at the Mastercard Press Office:
Email: emma.fahy@mastercard.com
Telephone: +44 (0)7580 790 297
Goodwood Motor Sport on social media:
YouTube: http://youtube.com/goodwoodtv
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/goodwoodrrc
Twitter: http://twitter.com/goodwoodrrc
&width=271)