www.brooklands-automobilia-regalia-collectors-club.co.uk

Please also click onto these Brooklands related websites after here:

www.barcc.co.uk
www.brmmbrmm.com/barcc
www.carsofbrighton.co.uk
www.brooklandsbadges.co.uk



B.A.R.C.C. (Brooklands Automobilia & Regalia Collectors’Club)



"I hope someone with Mr.Locke King's initiative will come to the front and make some other track, perhaps better suited to modern reuirements."
Dame Ethel Locke King 1946

More than hallf a century later Mercedes-Benz aim to realise that hope.

What is Brooklands?

Nearly a century ago, Hughe Fortescue Locke King, a wealthy Surrey landowner, constructed the first purpose built motor racing circuit in the world, at his Brooklands Estate in Weybridge, Surrey. Motor-racing took place at the site between 1907 and 1939, untill the circuit was transferred to the world of aviation. The Brooklands circuit achieved worldwide notoriety as the birthplace of both British motorsport and aviation.


This article taken from The Brooklands Society Gazette and writtten-reaserched by Stanley Sedgwick. Reproduced here with kind permission of John Pulford of the Brooklands Museum Trust.


BROOKLANDS - MORE ON LAPS AND BADGES

During the 28 seasons of racing at Brooklands, only 16 drivers lapped the Outer Circuit at over 130 mph. Among them are two women. Mrs.Kay Petre and Mrs.Gwenda Stewart (the fastest lap by a woman driver was achieved in 1935 by Mrs.Stewart at 135.95 mph, in a one point six litre front drive Derby-Miller).
The men being Kaye Don (first to break 130 mph in 1938), John Cobb. George Eyston, Oliver Bertram, Dudley Froy, Whitney Straight, Charles Brackenbury, Chris Stainland, Freddy Dixon, Richard Marker, Lord Howe, C.T.Baker-Carr, Jack Duller and George-Harvey Noble. All were awarded the BARC’s special 130-mph badge.

The ebb and flow of correspondence on the subject of 120 mph and 130 mph laps at Brooklands, and badges awarded therefor, has been very interesting, if somewhat labyrinthine in content.

We are left with apparent inconsistencies and grey areas and I set myself the objective of trying to ascertain the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, lest errors and omissions be enshrined in tablets of stone, as it were, for posterity.

Bill Boddy (“Mr.Brooklands”) is the acknowledged repository of knowledge concerning Brooklands and he has encouraged me in my self-imposed task.

My first move was to gain access through the kind offices of Michael Groves, Chairman of the British Automobile Racing Club, to such records relating to activities at Brooklands before WW2, as the Club may possess.

To digress for the benefit of younger readers – the initials BARC originally stood for Brooklands Automobile Racing Club, which Club operated the track for the owners, Brooklands (Weybridge) Ltd. The Junior Car Club was a club of long-standing, which organised regular race meetings at the track. In January 1946 the circuit was sold thus depriving the BARC of its raison d’être. At that point the JCC absorbed the BARC and using the same initials, changed its name to the British Automobile Racing Club.

I had hoped that the BARC would be able to produce Minute Books of Committee meetings, which would contain a record of the award of badges. Regrettably, a visit to Thurxton revealed that such records as were available related only to the activities of the JCC at the track.

A subsequent visit to the Brooklands Museum was no more successful as far as Committee Minutes are concerned. John Grainger confirmed that the Museum has no records relating to the business proceedings of the original BARC.

Further enquiries of the archivists at the National Motor Museum, the Royal Automobile Club and Brooklands Society brought forth similar responses. Thus, faced with these positive negative results I found myself back at Bill Boddy’s starting place, viz. The BARC Year Books in which the first reference to 120 mph laps and badges appeared in the 1932 edition as follows:

“When the Car Badge was issued it was felt that it would be fitting to present to every member of the BARC who had been timed to cover a flying lap of the Track at 120 mph or over, a special Car Badge with ‘120 mph’ enamelled on its face. The following qualified for this memento and were in due course presented with their badges: -”

Here follows the names of 24 drivers, all of whom had qualified prior to the end of June 1931. The list includes the name of Mrs.E.M.Thomas, which was indeed correct at that time, but was amended by WB in his book, at the request of her (first) husband at the time of her qualifying lap in 1928, to Mrs.W.B.Scott.* (The badge, however, remained unaltered-see Postscript.) The names of three drivers- J.G.Parry-Thomas, R.B.Howey and P.W.Thorowgood, were omitted, but were included in the cumulative list published the following year.

One thing is quite clear from the paragraph quoted above: it is that the presentation of these badges was confined to BARC members.

Thereafter there is no reference to “badgeholders” in the Year Books-all the cumulative lists being headed “Racing Drivers who have achieved an average speed of 120 mph for a lap of Brooklands track”. The same applies to laps at speeds over 130 mph. Bill Boddy readily concedes that confusion has arisen as a result of heading his tables “Badge Holders” instead of “Drivers who have achieved an average speed of 120 mph (or 130 mph) for a lap at Brooklands Track”.

WB writes in his “History of Brooklands Motor Course” in the chapter relating to 1936 (page 283*) ”…The 120 mph badge was discontinued, the 130 mph badge replacing it”. Conformation of this is to be found in the 1937 Year Book as follows:

“At the beginning of the 1936 season the Racing Committee decided that the special badges for drivers who completed a lap of the Outer Circuit at 120 mph should be discontinued but that another slightly different badge should be awarded to those putting up a flying-lap at a speed of 130 mph or over.”

It is evident; however, from the 130 mph lists that ten of these performances predated the last listed 120 mph laps! One wonders if the drivers of smaller cars rightly persuaded the Race Committee that 120 mph laps were as meritorious in their case as 130 mph laps by their big brothers, thus prolonging official recognition of the two-mile-a-minute lappers.

In an article entitled “Heraldry of Racing “ in the “Autocar” of 15th November 1935 Sammy Davis made an interesting comment:

“….there is the special badge awarded to those who have succeeded in covering a lap at Brooklands at 120 miles an hour or more when officially timed. Originally this was awarded only if the speed was recorded during an actual race; now it is possible to be timed specially for the badge, and that seems right and just”.

No list of the 120 mph lappers, appeared in the Year Books after 1936 and the last edition of the Year Book published in 1939-reporting on the 1938 season-included ‘qualifying’ 130 mph performances only up to September in that year. No Year Book was published in 1940; thus, 1939 season achievements were unannounced.

WB’s appendices were based on the last published lists of 120 mph lappers (up to October 1935) and 130 mph lappers (up to September 1938). To the former he added 14 names of drivers achieving 120 mph laps between April 1936 and September 1938; and Harvey-Noble (August 1939) to the 130 mph list.

It seems to me that in the absence of any official list of BARC members presented with 120 mph or 130 mph badges the total number of badges awarded can never be established and the only matter of historical significance is the list of drivers who achieved the qualifying lap speeds-whether or not BARC members. On that basis, the names of Pacey, Elgood, Wooding, Horsfall, McClure and Selsdon should be added to WB’s 120 mph list. Likewise the foreigners Raph, Comotti and Dreyfus. And the 130 mph list should be augmented by Birkin and Powys-Lybbe.

The badges were personal to the driver and evidence that he/she had lapped the track at average speeds in excess of 120 mph or 130 mph. There is no suggestion that a driver should be awarded additional badges for repeat performances in either category, whether in a different car or on a different occasion or even in the same race. In this context, however, it is of interest when a driver achieves the qualifying speed(s) in different cars-e.g. Stainland 130 mph+ in Bugatti and Multi-Union, but this has no bearing on the award of badges.

In any survey of high lap speeds at Brooklands I feel that the fastest drivers of all-those who lapped at an average of 140 mph-should not go unmentioned. The were:

7.10.1935 John Cobb Napier-Railton 143.44 mph
5.8.1935 Oliver Betram Barnato-Hassan 142.60 mph
15.10.1939 Chris Staniland Multi-Union 141.45 mph

Having reached this point I remind myself that when I started this some weeks ago, I thought the previous correspondence was convoluted. Now I wonder if the time and trouble I have devoted to this has done anything to clarify matters.
I guess this is about the last word on the subject-unless, of course, someone knows better…

POSTSCRIPT ON BADGES

I have now had an opportunity of examining the 120 mph badge in the Brooklands Museum collection.
The ‘speed award’ is in the form of a small rectangular plaque fixed on the face of an ordinary members’badge covering the letters ‘BARC’. The name of the recipient-in this case H.C.Hunter, and the date when the relevant performance was achieved-24.9.38-is engraved on the back.

John Pulford also showed me a badge which is unique if nothing else. Bill Boddy tells me that Harvey-Noble, already holder of a 120 mph badge did not wish to surrender it in exchange for a 130 mph badge when he achieved the higher speed. It seems that he found his own solution by making-or commissioning-his own version which has both the 120 mph and 130 mph engraved on it-one at the top and the other at the bottom, with the relevant dates 5.8.35 and 7.8.39 on the back!

Two badges-one 120 mph and the other 130 mph-on identical plastic plinths were listed and illustrated in colour in Sotheby’s catalogue of their RREC sale in June 1989, the former attributed to Richard Marker (in ‘Mother Gun’) in 1936, and the latter to Mrs.E.M.Thomas in 1928. The ‘hammer’ price of the former was £3,850, but the latter did not sell. One must presume that the award of a ‘speed’ label exempted the recipients from the Club rule stipulating that badges remained the property of the Club. S.S.



# Reviewers’ notes: The 120 mph enamel plaque has a black background and the 130 mph one has a red background.

The Harvey-Noble badge has been unofficially altered/defaced as can be seen in the museum display at Brooklands.

If any reader can ‘throw more light’ on this subject, including back up of facts and figures, please get in touch with the club.

#It is interesting to note that in W.Boddy’s new book ’Brooklands The Complete Motor Racing History’ MRP Publishing 2001 (This being a revised and up-dated edition of his’History of Brooklands Motor Course’). That in Appendix V11 the listings of 120 mph badge award holders has been increased by a factor of one. I wrote to Mr.Boddy (on several occassions on this subject) and on 7th September, 2001 informing him that I had a query regarding the badge of a *Mrs.W.B.Scott (nee Thomas) that I had seen, of which was not listed in the two past editions and was confused by a W.B.(also refered to as "Bummer") Scott listing but a different date, and that of the Mrs.E.M.Thomas issue which was formerly Mrs.W.B.Scott before she changed here name after remarrying and requested to be refered to by her former name. However, the badge was indeed engraved ‘Mrs.W.B.Scott’ as I have seen it, photographed both sides (see photographs in www.brmmbrmm.com/barcc) and pointed this fact out to Mr.Boddy., who now lists both award winners in this new edition.

W.Boddy’s reply:

Dear Mr.Weiner,

“Thank you very much for letting me see the Brooklands Museum answer to the Mrs.W.B.Scott/Mrs.E.M.Thomas problem. As you know, I was aware of the second marriage, but not the details, which I will now file with my Brooklands’ records. I gave Mrs.Scott as the 120 mph badge holder in my book, as W.B.Scott, when I interviewed him*, he was a sick person and annoyed that she was not given their name in the list, which I believed the BARC did not do.”

Yours sincerely,

Bill Boddy.(W.B.)

*Confusion beteen the sex'es as there is also a (Mr.)W.B.Scott, known as "Bummer" Scott (died in 1981) see his Obituary in The Brooklands Society Gazette of Autum 1981 issue Vol.6 No.4

It has also been brought to my notice that a certain Robert Charles Murton-Neale was entitled to the 120mph badge award and is not listed in W.B.Boddy's book (however I have yet to research this person for entitlemeant)

G.G.Weiner has the original correspondence refered to above.



THE OUTER CIRCUIT by Christopher Baker-Carr

It still brings a catch to the throat as you speed past on the rails to Waterloo. Suddenly there it is. Brooklands. Still a magic name after all these years. Still a magic place for all the many changes it has suffered at the hands of progress and neglect.

Be sure to sit on the right-hand side if you’re travelling up to London and be prepared to look quickly. Your glance will take in the immense size that is Brooklands and then, barely visible behind buildings, trees, and scrubs, you’ll see brief stretches of the massive concrete banking.

There are better ways of seeing Brooklands than from a train. Drive there by the way of Brooklands Road, known more prosaically as B374, turn in as if you’re heading for Gallaghers but keep straight on down the hill to the eastern gate. For those with long memories, you may recognise that you’re actually driving on part of the Campbell Circuit-albeit in the wrong direction. Bira, Scribbans and Raymond Mays could be coming straight at you...This is as good a time as any to engage your imagination gear, and go for it.



*With reference to the 1957 first impression and the 1979 revised editions only.

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This three part article is taken from the Antiques Magazine, part two deals with badges and features those of Brooklands.*

AUTOMOBILIA-Part Two
G.G.Weiner continues his series with a look at the many types of motoring badges and car club badges

There are two distinct categories of badges: those that are official, and those that are not. The official badges are issued by recognised motoring clubs and associations connected with the automobile, such as the many varied car club organisations that are scattered throughout the UK. The most well known and major clubs are that of the MG Car Club and Owners’Club; The Morgan Sports Car Club; The Jaguar Car Clubs; The Bentley Car Club; The Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’Club and the affiliated US branch, the Rolls-Royce Owners’Club. Many of these clubs are affiliated overseas and have their own separate and distinctive badge. I have only scratched the surface of the many clubs and some are very small and lesser known.

The better quality badges are produced in vitreous coloured enamel onto chrome and are usually tongue badge bar mounted. However, some are nut and screw on for grille mounting onto the radiator. Some of the lesser clubs with limited funds may produce badges in painted enamels on alloy metals rather than brass, chrome plated material. These are not to be scoffed at as some are rare and valuable and well worth looking out for. Some are even made of pressed tin; for example, I have a Brighton & Hove Motor Club tin oversized grille badge which is enamel painted, but is extremely rare. I have also recently found a small replica of this as a tie pin or buttonhole pin. Both are of the early 1900’s period.

This field of collecting is vast, as mentioned; most of the UK based car clubs have official affiliated overseas branches, and with them, there own official badges. This opens up a great opportunity for the collector travelling abroad. For instance, I have recently been to the massive Hershey classic car show and swap meet in Hershey Pennsylvania, home of the famous American chocolate bar, where the show is held on the fields on the factory site. To give you some idea of the size of this event, out tour guide showed us photos of this on the wall of the motel office where we were staying. He told us it spanned three miles across! This included the hard standing classic car static display and concourse exhibits. We had four days at the showgrounds and still had a lot that we missed so beware of the collecting bug biting you too hard!

Coming straight back to the subject and the unofficial car badges you may come across, this can of course be a minefield in itself. Many are unrecorded in any reference books and the information needed to identify them may have been long lost in time. However, if one perseveres with one’s enquiries, one day you may show it to some ex-factory old soul who exclaims that it was his old firm of so and so and that’s the badge issued to us in 19.... whatever.

Many motor racing circuits-in fact, as far as I’m aware, all of them-produced badges at some time or another. These could be in badge bar mounting form, grille mounting and pin badges as well as windscreen stickers etc., all of which were for promotion and some of which were for actual circuit membership or annual entry passes. For example, Brooklands in Weybridge, Surrey, produced some very fine badges and a whole variety of brooches and other clothing pins and tags for wear for entry to various parts of the circuit and clubhouse. The most well known of these badges are those based on the design by the artist Frederick Gordon Crosby, whose intricate and highly detailed design was based on two racing cars duelling on the banking just exiting the Members’bridge. This shield-shaped badge, having the wings atop with the legend ‘Brooklands’, was used in four types of badges for B.A.R.C. (Brooklands Automobile Racing Club), Committee and the famed 120 mph and 130 mph badge awards with these labels atop of the wings. All of these fine badges had multiple vitreous coloured enamels on a chromed brass base shield plate and were made to bolt on to the front of the car’s headlamp bar or similar placement rather than that the familiar tongue badge bar mount. The Brooklands motor circuit opened in 1907 and every year, enamel member’s entry badges, along with two guest’s badges were issued in a box, to be worn on the clothing at all times to gain entry to the circuit. For extra costs, a cardboard tag was issued to gain entry to the clubhouse and other amenities in the circuit.

These badges, although issued in large numbers, had of course to be purchased by the member every year from 1907 up until 1942 (further details of the annual entry badges can be found on www.brmmbrmm.com/barcc click onto'photographs'to see them), when motor racing ended and the entire circuit was taken over by the Ministry of Defence. Unfortunately, it was not re-opened after the war. However, the various Brooklands Societies and associations do wonderful work nowadays to keep what’s left of the circuit in good condition and to bring many of the old buildings back to life.

Alas, the old Flying Club buildings have long disappeared,apart from the renovated Flying Club Control Tower., which brings me neatly to those badges, of which there were three distinctive types to look out for. The are all rare and beautifully designed. The Aero Club shows a banking biplane on a blue enamel background, while the Flying Club is on a red enamel background showing the Control Tower in black and the extremely rare Brooklands School of Flying Ltd., badge has a blue background with a biplane flying in white clouds.

Fortunately, Brooklands has produced some commemorative pins in the same vein as those issued between the wars and these may be purchased on annual reunion days. Also, there is a reissued issue of the above mentioned set of eight beautiful badges as described above but with tongue mounting for modern collectors to either wear on their car’s badge bar or display at home. So, there you have it-there are hundreds if not thousands of badges to collect out there. My advice is to stick to a themed collection, be it the marque of car that you own or desire, or an association that you once worked for or have an interest in. There are certainly plenty to choose from!

As with any collecting hobby, the best idea is to research before you buy, so study books and auction catalogues, go to auctions, fairs and car shows, autojumbles and the like to look and compare prices. On purchase, get a receipt and make sure the article is what it purports to be, so only purchase from a reputable dealer. My final article on this subject will cover motoring mascots and hood ornaments.

G.G.Weiner is a specialist in automobilia and can be contacted at P.O. Box No.4 Chapel Terrace Mews, Kemp Town, Brighton, Sussex BN2 1HU. The office telephone number is 01273 622722 and fax number is 01273 601960

The author wishes to thank the owners of the vintage cars who allowed him to photograph* the badges in situ. Also, to those collectors who granted me access to have photos of their badges and wish to remain anonymous. Thanks are also due to the Brooklands Museum Trust for their help and co-operation with information and access to their collections.

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*Note that photos that accompany this and other articles on this website are available in their entirety in photocopy form(at cost) by request by sending a stamped self addressed envelope (s.a.e.) to the club address.


Notes for the reader’s interest. The following taken from Sotheby’s sale catalogue of 3rd December, 1990. (Prices realised and estimates not included, as they are relevant to the time and could be misleading, however they would be shown on the photocopies mentioned) All auction descriptions are as far as possible laid out as described in the catalogues quoted from herewith:-

Lot 145
A Rare Three Badge Set of BARC Badges, comprising a mint BARC Brooklands enamel badge, circa 1938, the back engraved No.608, 4 & half.in.high, a very rare 130mph Brooklands enamel badge, dated 1936, presented to R.R.K.Marker 1.6.36, 3 & half.in high, two small chips to enamel, and an extreemely rare 120mph Brooklands enamel badge, dated 1929, 'presented to J.Dunfee, 1.4.29', 3 & quarter in.high, on marble stand (3)
The first item was formerly the property of A.Rivers-Fletcher Esq.# founder of the ERA Club in 1935.
The second item: Richard Marker was awarded this badge for racing at Brooklands in 'Old Mother Gun', a 4 & half litre Bentley that he purchased in 1932 and refitted with a 6 & half litre engine. He raced at a speed of 131.06mph in the gold star race in 1936. The Bentley was rebuilt by R.R.Jackson in 1937 and two years later George Noble was awarded another 130mph for racing this car at Brooklands.
The third item: Jack Dunfee was a friend of Wolf Barnato, Tim Birkin, Bernard Rubin and Glen Kidson and was himself a member of the Bentley team of racing drivers. He was previously well-known as an amateur
driver on the Continent and at Brooklands with Salmsons, 3 litre straight eight Ballot and 2 litre supercharged Sunbeams. Jack's brother Clive, who was also a racing driver, was tragically killed while out on practice at Brooklands for the 500 miles race in 1932. His 8 litre Bentley went over the top of the banking and the accident was witnessed by Jack who immediatlely retired from racing.
A rare opportunity to obtain a unique piece of Bentley and motor racing history

#Along with Raymond Mays,Humphrey Cook,Murray Jamieson,Peter Berhon & Prince Bira Birbongse(known as B.Bira to the racing fraternity at that time along with his brother Prince Chula who raced two E.R.A.'s named Romulas & Remas).The cars(English Racing Automobiles)were built by Thomson & Taylor racing engineers based at Brooklands.

The following taken from Sotheby's sale catalogue of 10th March, 1990
Lot 211
A Mint BRDC Club Enamelled Motoring Badge,finshed in five colours, 4 & half in high,the base engraved A.Rivers-Fletcher Esq.
The above lot was formerly the property of A.Rivers-Fletcher Esq,founder of the ERA Club in 1935

Lot 212
A Mint ERA Club Enamel badge,circa 1935,finished in five colours. 4 & half in high.
The above lot was formerly the property of A.Rivers-Fletcher Esq.founder of the ERA Club in 1935

Lot 213
A Mint BARC Brooklands Enamel badge,circa 1938, the back engraved No.608 4 & half in high. The above lot was formerly the property of A.Rivers-Fletcher Esq.founder of the ERA Club in 1935
#Authors notes:This proves that a tongue mount was in use on BARC badges at this early date,whereas in general a screw with nut mounting was used.
E.R.A., In the Autum of 1933 Rivers-Fletcher along with Humphrey Cook and Raymond Mays discused the founding of the club for English Racing Automobiles, later with Prince Bira the famous Brooklands racing driver of the day.
The E.R.A. along with both the J.C.C. & the J.R.D.C. are all Brooklands affiliated organizations.
To know more about E.R.A. the cars and the history log onto: www.eraturbo.uk/history/historyofera.htm
The Hon.Club Sec. owns and runs J7 ERA check this car out on the register at:www.eraturbo.com


Lot 261
A Rare Near Complete Run of B.A.R.C. Members and Guests Badge Sets, 1907-1941, comprising a members badge and two guests badges for the years 1907-1915, 1920-1939, (1907 and 1909 in original boxes) a members and single guest badge for 1916, plastic, and members badges only for 1940-1941, some badges not from the same original sets, some with replaced or damaged pins and clasps. Mounted on a display board, (93)

Lot 292
A Very Rare 130 mph Brooklands Enamel Badge, Dated 1936, presented to R.R.K. Marker 1.6.36, two small chips to enamel.
Richard Marker was awarded this badge for racing at Brooklands in ‘Old Mother Gun’, a four & half litre Bentley that he purchased in 1932 and refitted with a six & half litre engine. He raced at a speed of 131.06 mph in the Gold Star race in 1936. The Bentley was rebuilt by R.R.Jackson in 1937 and two years later George Noble was awarded another 130 mph badge for racing this car at Brooklands.
Only sixteen of these 130 mph badges were awarded at Brooklands.

Lot 294
An Extremely Rare 120 mph Brooklands Enamel Badge, Dated 1939, presented to J.Dunfee, 1.4.29, on marble stand.
Jack Dunfee was a friend of Wolf Barnato, Tim Birkin, Bernard Rubin and Glen Kidson and was himself a member of the Bentley team of racing drivers. He was previously well-know as an amateur driver on the Continent and at Brooklands with Salmsons, 3 litre straight eight Ballot and 2 litre supercharged Sunbeams. Jack’s Brother Clive, also a racing driver, was tragically killed while out on practice at Brooklands for the 500 miles race in 1932. His 8 litre Bentley went over the top of the banking and the accident was witnessed by Jack who immediately retired from racing.
The above lot was purchased by the vendor from the estate of the late Jack Dunfee.

The following taken from Sotheby's sale catalogue of 3rd December, 1994
Lot 847
Four scarce ERA club enamel lapel badges,including two rare dated badges for 1936 and 1938,together with an E.R.A. tie pin

Lot 848
A scarce E.R.A. club enamel members badge,late 1930's,enamel damaged
at base,10cm high

The following taken from Brooks catalogue of 23rd June, 1995
Lot 270
ERA Club - A scarce original early pre-war members car badge; enameled and plated shield designe with ERA logo motiv,some minor chipping & wear

Lot 271
ERA Club - A late pattern members car badge; enamelled & chrome-plated shield design,prestine condition

Lot 272
ERA Club - A collection of rare pre-war members lapel badges 1936 & 1938 dated,and with three others undated including rare works-issue stick-pin badge;together with a British Motor Racing Fund lapel badge(ERA affiliated)and a pre-war club decorated headed letter (7)

The following taken from Sotheby's sale catalogue of 30th November, 1992
Lot 739.
An unusual B.A.R.C. Brooklands enamel badge believed to be the prototype,1929,enamel in five colours on a chromed brass shield,with late 1920's sloping'S'.11.5cm high,on a turned wooden base,together with a copy of a letter from A.Percy Bradley,dated 24th April 1931,depicting a similar badge and advising B.A.R.C. members of how to obtain their badges.
Accourding to information supplied by the vendor this badge is believed to have been the property of A.Percy Bradley (Then Clerk of The Course at Brooklands)

The following taken from Sotheby's catalogue of 20th July, 1998
Lot 216
A rare Brooklands Automobilia Racing Club 1907 lapel badge by frank Hymes Ltd. yellow on white engarved 41 3.2cm wide

The following taken from Bonhams & Brooks sale of 5th & 6th July, 2001
Lot 326
Brooklands - a rare School of Flying badge in the form of a winged medallion. To the centre is depicted and early bi-plane with Brooklands School of Flying in script to the circumference. Traces of the original sky blue appear to the lower half. Manufactured by the Birmingham Medal Co. and dating from the late 1920's, the badge is mounted on a wooden plinth with brass plaque.

Bonhams & Brooks sale of 6th September, 2002
Lot 50
John Cobb – (1900-1952)
Brooklands Automobile Racing Club –The driver’s gold plated members club badge.
Good original condition, marked and numbered 1503 to the reverse, surmounted by an additional Land Speed Record attachment, which reads ‘WORLD’S SPEED RECORD 1947, 394.196M.P.H.’
(This lot is accompanied by a letter of provenance from the current owner)

Known as the Gentle Giant, John Cobb made his money as a fur trader and lived for the first part of his life near the Brooklands circuit which as a consequence gave birth to his interest and fascination with motorcars.
In 1926 he debuted the ex-Count Zaborowski Higham Special at Brooklands which he had purchased with the intention of campaigning as a Land Speed Record breaker with which to challenge Malcolm Campbell.
His career as a racing driver developed and in 1928 he acquired a 10.5 litre Delage which he campaigned successfully at Brooklands between 1929 and 1933, achieving the over 8,000 c.c. flying start Outer Circuit lap record on three separate occasions, ultimately raising the record to 133.88mph in 1932. A Napier Railton followed the Delage and this was to become the car that he would achieve the circuit lap record, clocking an astonishing 143.44mph.
Embarking on a new project, the ‘Mobile Railton’ was born, and with its two Napier Lion engines, Cobb took the Land Speed Record to 394.19mph in 1947, becoming the first man to exceed 400mph on one of the runs.
Like many record breakers of the period, Cobb turned from land to water and it would be this switch that would result in the tragic loss of his life at Loch Ness on the 29th September 1952. Just before noon in near perfect conditions, Cobb drove his attempt craft ‘Crusader’ over the measured mile at 206mph and as the boat decelerated at the end of the run, it seemed to bounce twice and disintegrate.

Bonhams & Brooks sale of 2nd December, 2002
Lot 441A
Brooklands 120MPH Badge. (25.05.31) 2 Litre Sunbeam
Ernest Leslie Bouts (24.06.03 - 15.09.96)
Awarded after the 1931 Whitsun meeting Somerset Long Handicap, in which Bouts' 2 litre Sunbeam lost to Lord Howe's straight-eight 1.5 litre Delage. Both men were presented with the coveted 120mph badge of which there were only two-dozen holders at that time. The badge is in good, clean and original condition, having been in the hands of the family since the badge was awarded in 1931.
Born in 1903, Ernest Leslie Bouts campaigned successfully at Brooklands between the years 1927-1936 and is perhaps best remembered for driving an Indianapolis Sunbeam, a G.P. Sunbeam and a Leyland Thomas between the years 1930 and 1933. Bouts was regarded by most of the Brooklands circuit as a'Player' and at a time when wealthy amateur drivers were competing successfully in many races and some with technically outdated vehicles, he never ceased to amaze some of his fellow drivers with his sucess rate. a 2nd in the 1932 Whitsun Goldstar handicap and the same in the 1931 Lincoln Lightning Long Handicap, a win in the 90mph Shart handicap in May 1929 and many more achivevments didn't prevent the Stewards consistently complaining about Bouts driving too high on the banking and thus preventing on occasions, faster cars being able to overtake. Often finding himself a runner up to the likes of Cobb and Howe, Bouts was envolved in one of only four ever dead-heat finishes ever recorded at Brooklands and was extreemly well respected not least of all for receiving the coveted 120mph badge in 1931.

H&H sale of 7th May, 2003
Lot 210
Brooklands School of Flying(Ltd.)Enamel Badge in blue,black and white with twin stud fixing.Very good condition. 13x6cm.

Coys sale of 21st June, 2003
Lot 450
Norman Black-the Brooklands 120MPH.car badge.
The B.A.R.C. badge awarded to Norman Black for travelling the Brooklands track at 120mph in 1935 using an Alfa Romeo. Inscribed N.Black on the reverse and stamped Spencer London on the top of the mounting support. Originaly sold at auction direct from the Black family by the writer when heading the Phillips motor car department in 1987. The badge was in sound condition but missing various enamels and plating. Now delightfully retsored. It is being offered from the collection of the 1987 purchaser. Display mounted.

Lot 451
Brooklands Flying Club,car badge.
The rare'mono plane'version of the Flying Club badge posscesing the Brooklands inscription. Chromium plated mono plane with the club house below against a red polychrome enamel. Inscribed 24 recto. Display mounted.

Lot 452
Brooklands Automobile Racing Club
Membership badges. A full set of the B.A.R.C. members and guest brooches datting from 1907 to 1916 and 1920 to 1942. Delightfully the rare 1915 (metal), 1916 (plastic) triple sets and 1940, 1941 and 1942 single badges are present and in good condition. Present for each year are members badges and two guest brooches and all have matching numbers apart from the years, 1910, 1911, 1915, 1923, 1925, 1930, 1932, 1934, 1936, 1937 and 1938. A collection built with enthusiasm over a number of years, all of the badges are in good or better condition albeit one or two have little enamel chips. Coming with the set is an engraved plaque describing the collection.

Bonhams sale of 11th July, 2003
Lot 122
Charles Brackenbury's 130MPH badge (10.6.35)
Spencer and Co.Ltd.
Nickle with red, blue, cream and green enamel, very good condition with correct markings to the reverse.
During the 28 seasons of racing at Brooklands only 16 drivers lapped the Outer Circuit at over 130 mph. Among them, two women, Mrs.Kay Petre and Mrs.Gwenda Stewart (the fastest lap by a woman driver was achieved in 1935 by Mrs.Stewart at 135.96 mph, in a 1.6litre front drive Derby-Miller). The men being Kay Done, John Cobb, George Eyston, Oliver Betram, Dudley Froy, Whitney Straight, Chris Stainland, Freddy Dixon, Richard Marker, Lord Howe, C.T. Baker-Carr, Jack Duller, George-Harvey Noble and Charles Brakenbury.

Christies sale of 2nd December, 2003
Lot 75
B.Bira E.R.A. Club Member's Car Badge-A rare example,formerly the property of the famous "Bira",pre-and post-war-successfull racing driver with ERA and Maserati cars espcialy;shield shaped,decorative enamelled badge motif on chromed brass,stamped'B.Bira'to front;repaired enamel to base,chrome-plating worn,mounted upon a polished hardwood plinth.English c1936.Height 4ins(10cm)
Bira's Famous'White Mouse Racing Stable'ran a team of three different ERA cars respectivly named Romulus,Remas & Hanuman-in which he was one of the most successfull protagonists of the marque in the mid-1930's.

Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed sale of 25th June, 2004
Lot 598
'The Field Team'award,Brooklands 500 miles race,Brooklands 1930,
bronze medal presented to Dr.J.D.Benjafield(Bentley Team)by the proprietors of The Field in what was the final race of the official Bentley team,4.5cm diameter,insciption within laurel wreath to reverse and depicting The Field trophy to the front,together with original Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co.Ltd box with applied BRDC motif to front of box.

Lot 599
Roy Nockolds,Brooklands BRDC 500 Mile Race,1930,commissioned by Dr.Benjafield,
mixed media,depicting Dr.Benjafield driving with Eddie Hall as co-driver in a 'Blower'4.5 litre Bentley as they attempt to pass Sammy Davis'Austin 7'Blood Orange',near the black'safety line'on the banking at Brooklands,45x72cm(17.5x28ins).

Lot 601
Dr.Benjafield's Brooklands ashtray,cast in the shape of the Brooklands circuit,depicting an Alfa-Romeo in relief,used for promotional purposes by the marque specialists Dunkley and Burden,20cm(8ins) wide.

Lot 610
Dr.Benjafield's B.A.R.C. 120Mph badge,(4.10.30),Spencer and Co.Ltd,
chrome plated with seven coloured enamel,very good condition,black enamel 120mph badge applied to front,correct markings to reverse,11.5cm(4.5ins)wide.

This badge was awarded to Dr.J.D.Benjafield on the 4th of October 1930,for a lap speed of 120mph,obtained during the BRDC 500 Mile Race,while gallantly attempting to chase down'Blood Orange'the leading Austin driven by S.C.H.Davis and the Earl of March. Unfortunatley,even Benjafield's average race speed of 112.12Mph,the highest speed yet recorded in any race up to that time,was insufficient to take the lead that had been built up by the Austin at the beginning of the race during the Handicap stage. Bill Boddy describes the action in'The History of Brooklands Motor Course'as"soon Brooklands was alive with cars,35 in all,each not going far short of flat out....Bentley hopes rested on Eddie Hall and Dr.Benjafield....soon this car was going really fast. The Bentley now lapped at over 120Mph,well above the black safety line. Davis's Austin lapped at no less than 87Mph,Benjafield replied with a lap of 122.97Mph and on the very last circuit the near-side rear tyre began to break up,the tread clouting the mechanic's elbow a fearfull whack as the car crossed the line. It transpired that Davis,partnered by The Earl of March,had won at an average speed of 83.4Mph...the Benjafield/Hall Bentley was a magnificent second,averaging 112.2Mph,the fastest average in the race".

Bonhams Olympia,London sale of 6th December, 2004
Lot 478
The Inagural'Brooklands Motor Races'advertising poster,1907,printed in full colour for the opening ceremony and race at the Brooklands motor circuit,borders decorated in the Earl of Lonsdale's racing colours of black and yellow,after the original artwork signed'L Vallet London, 1907',printed by Harrison & Sons of London,73 x 100cm(29 x 39),mounted,framed and glazed.

Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed sale of 24th June,2005
Lot 115
A BARC Brooklands members'badge,1930's,by Spencer of London,chrome plated and enamelled in seven colours,some damage and chipping,with flat flange badge bar mounting.

Lot 125
A rare Junior Car Club Committee members' lapel badge,1930's,by Thomas Fattorini of Birmingham,brass with red and white enamel,3.3cm high.

Christie's Jack Barclay Nine Elms,London Showroom sale of 6th December,2005
Lot 40
Junior Racing Drivers Club - a scarce pre-war member's car badge;decorative enamel on chromed brass with racing car design motif;damaged base with older glued repair,mounted on turned wood display base;c.1930's.

Lot 41
Brooklands-BARC "120MPH";a rare pre-war member's car badge;awarded to WM Couper;decorated enamelled racing cars on"Members Banking"design,surmounted by black enamelled segment inscribed"120MPH";good condition:stamped Spencer of London and inscribed to reverse"Mr W.M.Couper-1:8:34",mounted on turned wood display base;c.1938

Charterhouse Auctions, Saturday 19th May 2007
Lot 348
A Brooklands 130mph badge, issued to Christopher Baker-Carr, 17th October, 1937

Lot 349
The Brooklands Coronation Race Gold Star Trophy


We are indebted to the above mentioned auction houses for their very kind permission for us to reproduce the above from their auction catalogues.
** We have these catalogues if any reader wishes to have the relevant pages and photos photocopied and sent to them at cost, please request this enclosing a s.a.e.


#Aero Club Committee badge. We have been sent a photo showing this extremely rare badge of a Committee member, it is the ordinary Aero club but having the word ‘Committee’ in yellow enamel in place of ‘Aero Club’, in the same way as the B.A.R.C. Committee badge. As this badge was a private purchase by the very small number of Committee member’s it does not have the stamping of “This badge is the property of the Brooklands Aero Club.”(to the reverse) Stamped ‘Spencer,London.’

BADGES- The subject of re-issued Brooklands badges:-

You may be aware of the introduction of certain Brooklands badges that are being reproduced in the Far East. A leaflet was circulated and posted (within the UK) to all interested parties (collectors and dealers alike), containing information about how to identify these blatant reproductions!

Briefly, for those persons who did not see this leaflet we informed people who were not quite sure what to look out for, firstly note that they are not true vitreous enamel, but of plastic based coloured paint on a brass badge that is not die cast, but is probably pressed and cut from a steel sheet and made to look like chrome plated brass. The enamel paint soon comes off with any change in temperature. If you put them in the fridge, say overnight, the colours will peel off, similarly if you mount them onto a badge bar on your car, the colours will soon come off!

Also, note that a limited edition run of Brooklands badges that were produced in the UK during 2000-2001 by the Brighton based company of Southern United Ltd., sold very
Successfully with the backing and approval of The Brooklands Museum Trust., however these were thinner* than the originals and again were not produced with true vitreous enamels.

The good news is that we have been working with The Brooklands Museum and the still established (1685) company of Toye, Kenning & Spencer (who produced the original Frederick Gordon Crosby designed B.A.R.C. badges of the inter-war years under the name of ‘Spencer, London’). This firm has again produced these badges in their original form of a brass base, chromed and with vitreous coloured enamels, similar in thickness and weight to the original issues of the inter-war years.

These badges are produced in a limited edition of 100 of each type (eight types in the set as at Brooklands Museum). Each badge is stamped (on the reverse) ‘Toye, Kenning & Spencer’ in a similar way as the original inter-war issues.

So now collectors and members of the various Brooklands Clubs can once again enjoy and display on their car with pride these wonderful badges with their evocative designs, or grace their collections with pride! (The originals being rare, hard to find and very expensive as you may be aware by seeing them at auction and at up market autojumbles).

These modern versions are made with a tongue mount to fit onto a badge bar via a badge bar clip** (rather than a screw and nut fitting of the originals, that were made to fit onto the radiator pressure cap and would have to be adapted especially for the badge bar).

So, now all you Brooklands and badge enthusiasts can afford to purchase one or more of these fine examples, in addition they will be true collectors pieces right from the start! And the really good news is that they cost (almost, just a few pounds more) the same price as the 2000-2001 “thin types”*

Contact us now to place your order so not to be disappointed, as with the launch of this website they have given these badges a far greater exposure! If you wish to have sent to you an A3 size sheet illustrating the badges in colour in their actual size together with a list of the speed award winners and a photocopy of an original period certificate, signed by Percy Bradley, Clerk-of-the-course in 1938, please send us an A3 s.a.e. (stamped self addressed envelope). We have the exclusive rights to market them from Toye, Kenning & Spencer. Remember buy British to defeat these horrible Far Eastern imports!

Advice on badge identification and reproductions given freely by Miller’s automobilia price guide consultant G.G.Weiner.



*Prices are singly £65 each or £500 (the same price as the "thin types" mentioned)for the set of eight types, packing, postage and any insurance required is extra. #Ordinary 2nd class mail is now FREE! ( within the UK.)


The complete Brooklands badge set comprises:-

B.A.R.C. membership*

COMMITTEE members

120 MPH speed award

130 MPH speed award

AERO CLUB*

SCHOOL OF FLYING LTD.

FLYING CLUB silver issue

FLYING CLUB bronze-gilt issue

P.S. Exclusive Brooklands '1907-2007 Anniversary' badges
These are of similar quality and design to the above but with the added inscription to the badge-bar mounting. Sold in sets of eight only, and only 100 sets will be produced, so instance collector status! £500 for the set, reserve yours now. *Indicates that these particular badges are now all sold out and only available within the Anniversary set.

See: www.brooklandsbadges.co.uk (for 2008 stock situation)

** Badge bar chromed steel clips complete with screw & nut fittings by the Desmo company are £4.50 each, and a chromed badge bar long enough to display all eight badges on at £10.50,only sold with the badges at this special offer price plus packing & postage at cost. Or £50 the complete lot which includes postage & packing (inland only) overseas on request.

Testimonials from some of our many satisfied customers:

Quote from a letter dated 19th August,2002
from a Mr.J.Marsh:- “I should like to thank you for the despatching of my order of the set of Brooklands badges so promptly – before my cheque had cleared I believe which is most trusting of you and unusual in these cynical times. I am delighted with the badges which I shall very much enjoy having around over the coming years to remind me of that most fascinating time of British motoring. Thank you too for forwarding the cover letter by separate post, and I would certainly be interested to be included in your mailing list”.


Quote from a letter dated 23rd October,2002
From a Mr.N.Dawes:- "Thank you so much for the badges - I am delighted with them."

Quote from an un-dated postcard
From a Mr.T.Malford:- "Thank you for the BARC badge very nice indeed.Great Job. Cheque enclosed."

Quote from an e-mail dated 21-7-02
From a Mr.G.Shand:- "Thanks so much for the 16 Brooklands badges received."

Quote from a letter dated 26th March,2003
From a Mr.D.W.Westall:-
"Dear Sir,
You recently supplied me with a Brooklands BARC badge for my Lagonda.The badge is of excellent quality in my view,and I would like another,or the same type for my other Lagonda (my Father's car) I enclose my cheque for £55."

Quote from an e-mail dated 27-5-03
From a Mr.Gerard D de Gier:-
"The badge arrived in v.good order,very nice! Thank you and greetings from
Holland."

Quote from an e-mail dated 2-7-03
From a Mr.Stephen Kerr:-
"Dear Mr.Weiner,
This is just to let you know that the reissued Brooklands badges arrived today! They are absolutely beautifull! Thank you so much for making them available to collectors!
With kind regards, S.Kerr Tulsa,Oklahoma,USA"

Quote from a letter dated 16th March,2004
from a Mr.Nicholas Syrett:-
"Dear Mr.Weiner,
The badge is faultless. Thank you so much for your extreemly prompt attention to my order. As I said the badge is fualtless. Now I only have to find someone to fix it to the radiator grille thus balancing my BRDC badge.
Yours sincerly,
Nicolas Syrett"

Quote from an e-mail dated 17-10-04
From a Mr.E.Hendzel:-
"Geoff,
Received the order today,many thanks all excellent! Hear from you when payment required for the limited edition(Brooklands)badge.
Regards Eddy"

Names and address's kept on traditional index card file (NOT on the internet)


BROOKLANDS A Brief History:

Brooklands estate in Weybridge, Surrey was owned by the Locke King family of wealthy landowners. Hugh Fortescue Locke King decided to build ‘A Motor Course’ in 1906., after visiting the Targa Floria race meeting in Brescia in Italy and seeing that owners and drivers were from France, Germany and Italy but none from England as potential English enthusiasts had nowhere to practice! On return to England, an idea was spawned.

After a meeting, which included the then Lord Montagu of Beaulieu and specialist engineer Lt.Col.Henry Capel Lofft Holden an army engineer officer, it was decided that the ideal location was this great Surrey estate. The plan being to construct a simple oval circuit, however for the purpose of ease of high speeds round the bends the design was changed under a Mr.Donaldson’s advice (a leading railway engineer), to incorporate two high bankings one at the Byfleet end of the estate and the other at the river Wey/railway end (of which the Members’banking is the only part still left intact to see, including a reconstructed Members’bridge over this-not to be confused with the long defunct Henibique bridge,a concrete construction carrying the track over the river Wey. A proposal to re-construct this with part Lottery funding under the new DaimlerChrysler plan).

Work started during the winter of 1906,over 300 men carved out and levelled a
two-mile long swathe through the Weybridge estate. Eventually,over 2,000 workman,so-called'navies',were involved in the creation of a huge cutting 30 feet deep and nearly 40 yeards wide through the natural hill at the north-east corner of the estate. Two vast areas of banking were created at opposite ends of the circuit with two bridges spanning the bottom and top ends, with a crossing of the river Wey. The work took over 8 months of hard labour and some £150,000 of Mr.Locke King's money (a personal fortune in those days).

Opening in June 1907 (the official opening however,was on July 17th 1907) with a parade of cars headed by H.F.Locke King including many nobles and dignitaries of the day and of course Ethel Locke King, who had wholeheartedly supported her husband throughout and beyond (after his death). Brooklands was the first purpose built motor racing circuit in the world. This great wonder soon became very much more, in that it was the birthplace of British motorsport and speed achievements and records., and also pioneered British aviation.

Some facts about this track are that it was two miles 1,350 yards round from the centre line of the Outer Circuit. A circuit of the track from the inner edge was two miles 1,263 yards. The width of the track was on average 100 feet. The length of the Finishing Straight was 991 yards. The maximum height of the banking on the shorter curves of the track was 28 feet 8 inches. The radius at which the curve was struck was 1,500 feet at the Members’Banking and 1,000 feet at the Byfleet Banking. The mileage recorded in laps on the centre line was 100 miles = 36.14 laps and 1,000 miles = 361.42 laps.
Regards facts about the Test Hill which was constructed in 1909. Of which the surface length was 352 feet 3 inches. The average gradient being 1 in 5.027. The maximum gradient being 1 in 4 and the other sections being 1 in 5 and 1 in 8. Note: The Test Hill still exists and is indeed still used to great effect, so these measurements still ring true on average today.

The ‘Heyday’ of this exclusive venue was the inter-war years when record times were being set and broken by many racing drivers who went on to become household names. Motor cycles and light cars as well as pedal powered cycle races were all held firstly on the ‘Outer Circuit’ as it became known, then the second construction was the ‘Mountain Circuit’ (incorporating the ’Test Hill’) and finally the ’Campbell Circuit’ (as this was designed with the input of Sir Malcolm Campbell). Brooklands was ‘The Ascot’ of motor racing at this period, promoting the expression of “The right crown and no crowding”.

It is interesting to note that there was no precedence set for motor racing rules, regulations or form. Therefore, those of the turf were adopted and even jockey type coloured jackets were worn during the first few years of motor racing. Later numbers were borne on the cars after proper rules and regulations were seen to be adapted after these early experiments in identifying the drivers and their cars*.

After the outbreak of war in 1939 the circuit closed, the final race being held on 7th August 1939. However some minor meetings still took place up until 1942 as proven by the issue of admission badges for these wartime years. Sadly, after the war the Ministry of Defence who commandeered the circuit for wartime use did not, hand it back for continued motor racing use and it quickly went into decline. New owners Vickers, then Gallaghers turned the land into a vast industrial estate. However the good news is that most of the buildings survived and have now been painstakingly restored by the efforts of members of the various Brooklands societies and clubs.

Mercedes-Benz World...
Today's really good news is that DaimlerChrysler has created a very futuristic 155-acre centre on the old airfield site on the Brooklands estate,where you are able to try out and test the latest Mercedes model range on a purpose built track within this site.
This essentially glitzy high-tech facility does of course promote all things'Mercedes'.,however it can be seen as a family fun day out with combined museum,off-road course,skid pan,boutique,restaurant and the demo-track.This company has done a lot of good for Brooklands(considering that a whole industrial estate has'grown'around the old clubhouse and out-buildings over the years).
A new entrance,refurbished part of the outer circuit banking and reconstruction of the(once)famous Henibique bridge with a new entrance to the site are all future plans by this vast company.


*See the appendix of William Boddy’s book‘History of Brooklands Motor Course’


SOME FACTS AND FIGURES AT BROOKLANDS (from the opening in June 1907 to the closing in September 1939 of the track)
Motor racing spanned 32 exciting summer seasons, of which many endurance and sprint records along with two grand prix and three Land Speed Records being recorded were held there. Many well know marques of the day took part including A.C.,Aston Martin,Alfa-
Romeo,Alvis,Austin,Bentley,Bedford,Buick,Bugatti,Fiat,Halford,Invicta,Lanchester,Leyland,Maserati,Morgan,Mercedes-Benz,Riley etc.

1907, June 17th, Opening of Brooklands Motor Course with a grand parade of cars led by Hugh Locke King and his wife Ethel with Lord Montague and many other well know dignitaries of the day.

1907, June 28th & 29th, Selwyn Francis Edge sets up a 1.581 mile 24 hour motoring endurance record in his 60hp Napier. (The track being lit by placing lanterns around the circuit for night-time driving). S.F.Edge created a record of 18 years standing completing 1,581 miles at an average speed of 66 mph. A week later the first actual race took place and was won by a Mr.H.C.Tyron in a works supplied Napier.

1907, July The very first race meeting to be held at the circuit.

1908, June 8th, The first powered flight by the British aviator Algenen Vernon Roe on the Finishing Straight of the circuit.

1908, April 20th, The first British Motor Cycle Club race held at Brooklands.

1908, July 4th, The first Woman’s motor car race.

1909, October 29th, Louis Paulhan (a French aviator) made the first flying demonstration
In Britain, his Henry Farman Biplane attended by the general public.

1909, November 8th, A new World Land Speed Record set by V.Hemery driving a Benz at 125.95mph covering the distance measured one way only.

1911, August 29th, The first Woman’s pilot licence gained by Mrs.Hilda Hewlett.

1913, February 15th, Percy Lambert is the first man to exceed 100 miles in one hour, covering 103.84mph driving a 25hp, 4.5 litre Talbot. (He is tragically killed some time later in a further attempt at speed records).

1913, September 25th, Adolph Pegoud (a French Aviator) flying a Bleriot monoplane became the first man to loop-the-loop in Britain.

1914, June 24th, A new World Land Speed Record set by L.G.Hornsted driving a Benz at 124.10mph, the set under the terms of the new two-way rule introduced.

1919, June 15th, The first non-stop Trans-Atlantic flight in a Brooklands-built Vickers Vimy flown by Alcock and Brown.

1919, December 10th, The first flight from England to Australia in a Brooklands-built Vickers Vimy flown by brothers Ross and Keith Smith.

1921, April 28th, Douglas Davidson riding a Harley- Davidson becomes the first motorcyclist to exceed 100mph in Britain.

1922, May 17th, Kenelm Lee Guinness driving a 350hp Sunbeam V12 sets the third and last World Land Speed Record established at Brooklands at 133.75mph over one kilometre.

1926, August 8th, The first British Grand Prix held at Brooklands,after the formation of the B.R.D.C.(British Racing Drivers'Club)

1932, October 24th, R.G.J.Nash driving a Frazer Nash sets the fastest time ever by a car up the Test Hill at 7.45 seconds at 32.44mph.

1932, September 16th, World aeroplane height record at 43.976 feet set by a Brooklands-built Vickers Vespa.

1933, October 27th, World Speed Record for a diesel-engined car taken by George Eyston at 104.86mph.

1935, October 7th , The ultimate Brooklands Lap Record of 143.44mph set by John Rhodes Cobb, driving his 24 litre 500 bhp Napier Railton. He also recorded the highest official speed on the Track at 151.97mph.

1935, November 6th , The first flight of the prototype Hawker Hurricane fighter from Brooklands.

1938, November 7th, World long distance record of 7,157.7 miles set by three Brooklands0built Vickers Wellesley aircraft.

1938, March 12th, Eric Fernihough riding his 996cc Brough Superior covers one kilometre at 143.39mph, the highest official speed by a motorcycle at Brooklands.

1939, July 4th, The fastest lap of 124.51mph ever achieved by a motorcycle at Brooklands set by Noel Pope.

1939, August 7th, The final race for pre-1905 cars that took part in a special Handicap race on the Campbell Circuit.


If any reader has any relevant and interesting facts and or photos that he/she would like to submit for inclusion to this site please get in touch for consideration.

Why not take an interest? You could help, by joining The Friends of Brooklands Museum, taking an active roll in maintaining the site (you will also receive their excellent glossy magazine‘The Spirit’). Or The Brooklands Society for historic study with the excellent ‘Gazette’newsletter, or even the exclusive Brooklands Club as a full member along with access to the historic clubhouse and its facilities, for further details and information contact The Brooklands Museum Trust, Brooklands Road, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 OQN
Phone: 01932 857381 Fax: 01932 858005



Websites:
www.brooklandsmuseum.com
www.motor-software.co.uk/brooklands
www.brooklands.org.uk/news/reun2k.htm
www.brmmbrmm.com/barcc
www.barcc.co.uk
www.carsofbrighton.co.uk(to browse and purchase Brookland badges/memorabilia)

Review by Antique Dealing.co.uk: Quote,“ We are most impressed with the high quality of this site and your website has been listed within our directory”.
















Note: That this club is not officially connected to any of the Brooklands Clubs, or The British Automobile Racing Club (formerly the Brooklands Automobile Racing Club). However, it is hoped that we may work side-by-side with them with exchanges of information and ideas.
We are most gratefull to the above mentioned clubs for information, advice, facts and figures suppied to us for our website, as we are most gratefull to all the auction houses that supplied catalogues with the information quoted on this website.

With gratefull thanks to:

The Brooklands Museum Trust Ltd
The Brooklands Society
The Society of Friends of Brooklands Museum
William Boddy,MBE and his book 'Brooklands,The Complete Motor Racing History'.
All the auction houses mentioned on this site
Friends of the club.