Make the Most of Centenary Weekend: A Practical Guide to the Grand Prix Celebration

In August 1926, Britain staged its very first British Grand Prix at the legendary Brooklands. One hundred years later, the same historic site will mark that landmark with a celebration worthy of its place in motorsport history.

On Saturday 8 August 2026 – exactly a century after the original race – Brooklands Museum will host a spectacular centenary event. Expect a rare gathering of 100 Grand Prix cars, live demonstrations and a unique chance to see racing history come alive where it all began.

For lovers of beautiful, powerful and exceptional cars, this is one date to circle in ink.

Why Brooklands Matters

Before Silverstone. Before the global spectacle of modern Formula 1. There was Brooklands.

Built in the Surrey countryside, Brooklands opened in 1907 as the world’s first purpose-built, banked motor racing circuit. The project was the vision of Hugh and Ethel Locke King, who created a 2.75-mile concrete speedway unlike anything seen before.

At the time, road racing was banned on mainland Britain. As a result, Brooklands quickly became the beating heart of British motorsport. It also attracted pioneering aviators, giving it a dual role in speed on land and in the air.

By 1926, it was the natural venue for Britain’s first official Grand Prix.

The 1926 British Grand Prix: Courage on Concrete

The inaugural British Grand Prix took place on 7 August 1926. The race used large sections of the steeply banked outer circuit, with temporary earth chicanes added on the finishing straight to test both car and driver.

Nine cars lined up before a vast crowd. Four hours later, victory went to the Delage 15-S-8 of French drivers Louis Wagner and Robert Sénéchal.

Second place went to Malcolm Campbell in a Bugatti 39A, flying the flag for Britain. Several marques from that grid have faded from modern competition. Yet one name from 1926 still resonates today: Aston Martin F1 Team, which traces its competitive roots back to that era and remains on the current Formula 1 grid.

Brooklands hosted another RAC Grand Prix in 1927. Then the momentum shifted. Europe edged towards war, and the circuit’s future changed forever.

From Racing Circuit to War Effort

When the Second World War broke out, Brooklands became a vital aircraft production site. Manufacturers including Hawker and Vickers expanded their operations across the circuit.

More than 18,000 military aircraft were built there, including Hurricanes and Wellington bombers. The famous concrete banking found itself surrounded by hangars and workshops. Racing did not return after 1945.

However, the spirit of competition moved elsewhere.

The Legacy: From Brooklands to Silverstone

With Brooklands no longer operational, British motorsport adapted quickly. Disused RAF airfields provided ready-made circuits.

In 1948, the former RAF base at Silverstone Circuit hosted Britain’s first post-war Grand Prix. Two years later, in 1950, it staged the first points-scoring round of the newly formed Formula One World Championship.

Over time, the British Grand Prix rotated between Silverstone, Aintree and Brands Hatch. Since 1987, Silverstone has been its permanent home.

Meanwhile, Surrey evolved into the centre of Britain’s motorsport engineering industry. Teams such as Connaught, Cooper, Brabham and Tyrrell established bases nearby. Today, McLaren operates from its striking headquarters in Woking, just a few miles from Brooklands.

The so-called ‘Motorsport Valley’ owes much to that original concrete oval.

Brooklands 100: What to Expect in 2026

The centenary celebration promises to be both nostalgic and thrilling.

Highlights include:

• 100 Grand Prix cars on display, spanning a full century
• Early pioneers running on surviving sections of the original banking
• Modern machinery in action on the adjacent test track at Mercedes-Benz World
• Appearances from drivers who have competed in British Grands Prix
• Exclusive VIP preview evening for members

Few events offer such a broad sweep of Grand Prix history in one location. Even fewer can stage it at the very place where Britain’s story began.

Importantly, this will not be a static show. Many of the earlier cars will fire up and run, offering the sight and sound that defined their era. Meanwhile, more recent single-seaters will stretch their legs on the adjoining circuit.

For visitors, that blend of heritage and performance will be the real draw.

A Living Motorsport Landmark

Today, Brooklands survives thanks to careful preservation. Significant sections of the original banking remain. The museum continues to tell the story of British speed, both on track and in the air.

As Alex Patterson, Chief Executive of Brooklands Museum, explains, the 1926 race laid foundations for Britain’s modern motorsport industry. That legacy stretches from historic racing to today’s cutting-edge Formula 1 operations.

The centenary therefore serves two purposes. It honours the courage of early competitors. It also celebrates a century of engineering innovation that followed.

Tickets and Practical Information

Tickets for the centenary event are available via the official Brooklands Museum website.

• Adult admission (advance): £39.95
• Children aged 4-17: £19.95
• Under 4s: Free
• Members receive discounted entry and access to a VIP preview evening

Organisers expect strong demand. Early booking is advisable.

Given the scale of the car line-up and the historic date, a sell-out crowd looks likely.

Why This Event Matters Today

A century ago, nine drivers set off around a concrete oval in cars that demanded courage and resilience. Their efforts helped spark a motorsport industry that now leads the world.

Brooklands may no longer host championship races. Yet its influence runs through every British Grand Prix, every Formula 1 factory in the Home Counties and every young driver dreaming of the podium.

The centenary offers more than nostalgia. It connects past and present in one powerful setting.

Over to You

Will you be there to see 100 Grand Prix cars gathered where it all started? Which era of racing excites you most – the brave pioneers of the 1920s or today’s high-tech contenders? And does Brooklands still deserve greater recognition in the story of British motorsport?

Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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