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BENZ THE RULES

Only the company who invented the motor car could be so bold as to turn the oldest purpose built motor racing circuit in to a playground for motorists to re-invent the way we drive them.

In 2005 Daimler Chrysler bought out Brooklands race circuit in Weybridge, Surrey so they could develop an experience centre for enthusiasts and their families. It opened in the summer of 2006 with over 2.5km of purpose built handling courses, a wet skid circle and 10 acres of off-road routes where driver’s can test their abilities and learn a thing or two about getting the best out of their Mercs. You don’t need to own one to come along but after driving the AMG performance models you may well be clawing the walls if you don’t. The centre is open 7 days a week and admission is free although the driving experiences themselves will cost you between £75 and £300.

As well as the day to day driving opportunities for adults and kids, the adjacent Brooklands museum with its many racing cars and planes of yesteryear, there’s a full scale single seater simulator, a café, restaurant, conference centre and a shop with clothing and memorabilia for fans. On the odd occasion Elton John, the Sugarbabes and McFly stop by to put on a concert and once a year there’s also an annual Brooklands Festival which we attended last weekend.

2008 marked 101 years of motoring at Brooklands and all the vintage models were out in force to bring back the spirit of ‘The Double Twelve’. This name was adopted when a back to back 12 hour race was introduced in the 1930s during which time 24 hour racing was prohibited (how to bend the rules, eh?). Much before this though Brooklands was dubbed the ‘Motoring Ascot’ and since it opened in 1907 it was making the record books. The original owner was Hugh Locke King, a wealthy land owner who was talked in to building and funding a purpose built circuit on his own plot of land by friends who came to dinner in 1907. That very same year, King’s friend S.F.Edge made the record books for driving 1,581 miles in 24 hours. Brooklands also became famous for launching the first powered flight in a British Aeroplane and for the next 80 years it remained highly influential in the development of Aviation technology and engineering. After land speed world records were broken there, the first motorist achieved 100 miles an hour and the first passenger flight ticket was sold, Brooklands earned its status to host the first ever British Grand Prix in 1926.

In keeping with the track’s Grand Prix roots, Sir Stirling Moss who drove a Mercedes in his F1 debut race of 1955, last weekend made a guest appearance alongside present day racing ace Lewis Hamilton and team mate Heikki Kovalainen. Twice World championship winner Jody Scheckter, who has been out of the spotlight since he hung up his helmet in 1980 was also delighted to be part of the festivities. The difference in generations was indiscriminate on track and as soon as engines were fired up, their competitive spirit was a joy to be seen.

The Brooklands Festival which was organized by both the adjoining museum and Mercedes Benz world were keen to create the right ambience which meant that vintage clothing worn by the Concours competitors and nostalgic music played by brass bands were up kept throughout the weekend. We were also treated to the Silver Arrows Display team demonstrating how to stream to way traffic in the wet with all electronics switched off. The Blue Eagles were the stunt attractions in the sky and even the Penny Farthing bikes from the museum were brought out to race.

Although pedal power is fun for breezing along in the great outdoors there is no doubt that sweating in a tight single seater cabin has its fair share of perks especially if you’re getting paid several million pounds and living the lifestyle of Formula One personalities. Last years’ 700bhp Silver Arrows MP4-22 Formula One car was of course the star attraction at Brooklands Festival with today’s British hopeful Lewis Hamilton in the driving seat. The friendly star who narrowly missed out on the world championship last year very pointedly proved to his fans that he hasn’t lost any of his bottle and he doesn’t need to break any rules to secure the top spot.