Britain's first Grand Prix celebrates 100 years

Britain's first Grand Prix is marking its 100th anniversary with two days of celebrations.

The original event took place in August 1926 at the Brooklands race circuit in Surrey.

Just three out of nine cars finished the inaugural race, with one driver becoming so warm he had to put his feet in cold water after getting out his vehicle.

Speaking to the BBC ahead of the centenary, Brooklands' chief executive Alex Patterson said he felt a sense of "excitement and anticipation".

"This is the biggest event we have done - and we do a lot of events here," he said.

Patterson added the anniversary was important both nationally and internationally for the history of motorsport.

Not only was the 1926 Grand Prix the maiden race of its kind in the UK, Brooklands was also the world's first purpose‑built motor racing circuit when it was built in 1907.

The track is famous for its two nearly 9m (30ft) high banked sections and its 30.4m (100ft) wide starting straight.

Racer Percy Edgar Lambert died on the circuit in an attempt to regain his title as the fastest person to drive 100 miles after a Frenchman beat his record.

His ghost is said to haunt the tracks, with the BBC previously hearing staff have felt "something uncanny" there - especially on winter nights.

The first event celebrating the centenary is set to take place on Friday evening.

Organisers say it will feature more than 100 Grand Prix cars spanning the century - from pioneering racers to modern Formula 1 icons.

Some of these will come from private collectors, Patterson said.

"It is going to be the largest ever gathering of Grand Prix cars in a single space", he claimed.

There will also be live music, racing simulators and atmospheric 1920s-inspired surroundings at Friday's event.

A second centenary event is also due to take place on the Saturday, which will involve live demonstrations on the Mercedes-Benz World circuit and interviews with drivers and motorsport experts.

Both have sold out.

Patterson added the 100-year anniversary had been an opportunity to engage with the motorsport community, but also audiences less familiar with Brooklands.

"The recovery from Covid has been long and painful," he said. "This is a chance to reposition ourselves and our story."

The Brooklands Museum recently opened a new exhibition exploring milestones in motorsport.

Patterson said the site has also received lottery funding to shape its long-term development.

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