Brooklands to be restored

**LINK**

Wonderful news !!

MichaelG.

Ah, many happy memories from my apprenticeship days with Vickers/BAC. Brian.

Agreed, also many happy memories of the 7 years I spent with BAe. Very strange to think that my first workplace is now a museum. The museum is fantastic and well worth a visit. Every time I do go it is a bit gut wrenching as to what the site used to be.

Great news, pity they cannot rebuild the whole track. The mass destruction was never justified in the first place.

Wasn't there a minor squabble going on at the time?

I see a tiny chink of light for British race enthusiasts and about time. Mmmm wonder what British cars they will race?

Aah I got it BMW's yay.

Edited By Jesse Hancock 1 on 18/02/2015 19:10:37

Gentlemen,

Between 1947 and 1954 I travelled daily by train from Walton-on-Thames to school at Woking. As some of you will know, the railway runs past Brooklands on an embankment, 'affording a delightful prospect'!! At that time, aircraft usually in view were Vikings, Valettas & Varsities.

From that time and into later years, aircraft built there were the Viscount, the Valiant V-bomber and the Vanguard. I believe that the planes were built at Brooklands and then flown over to the airfield at Wisley (see Google Earth) for fitting-out and flight trials. (Correct me if I'm mistaken.)

My parents took the Surrey Herald and, as the first flight of each bigger than the last aircraft got closer, the Herald would write 'residents fearful as flight of monster plane approaches!'. I believe it was for the Vanguard that the runway was lengthened, at the expense of a substantial portion of the motor racing circuit being removed (for ever?!?!). I believe also that there has been building development at the Byfleet end.

One of my favourite stories about Brooklands concerns Billy Cotton, the band-leader. Pre-WW2 he would race at Brooklands meetings but his wife was frightened he might be injured and made him promise to give it up. But the pull of the racing was irresistable and he sneaked off to Brooklands for a race or few. One day the pioneer 405-line TV outside broadcast crew were covering a Brookland meeting and Billy Cotton was named by the commentator. His wife happened to be watching the TV - I understand he got quite a telling-off when he got home!!!

Best regards,

Swarf, Mostly!

Edited By V8Eng on 18/02/2015 21:03:55