Brooklands - A Pictorial History

There was a time when British motorists believed that the sensible way to demonstrate mechanical superiority was to construct an enormous concrete racetrack, persuade wealthy gentlemen to drive around it at terrifying speeds and hope that the laws of physics would remain reasonably cooperative. The result was Brooklands, a magnificent monument to speed, engineering ambition and the wonderfully Edwardian conviction that anything worth doing was worth doing in a machine with virtually no brakes.

In Brooklands – A Pictorial History (1995), distinguished motoring historian G. N. Georgano celebrates one of the most extraordinary venues in British automotive history. Published by Beaulieu Books, this fascinating photographic account brings to life the legendary Surrey circuit where motor racing, record-breaking and aviation development helped shape the modern age of mechanical transport.

Opened in 1907 near Weybridge, Brooklands was the world’s first purpose-built banked motor racing circuit, an astonishing achievement at a time when the average motorist was still becoming accustomed to travelling faster than a moderately enthusiastic horse. Its vast concrete banking allowed drivers to achieve extraordinary speeds, provided they possessed sufficient courage, mechanical confidence and a remarkably relaxed attitude towards personal safety.

Brooklands quickly became the spiritual home of British motorsport, attracting famous drivers, pioneering engineers and wealthy enthusiasts who considered spending enormous sums on temperamental machinery an entirely respectable pastime. The circuit witnessed thundering Bentleys, magnificent racing specials and extraordinary record-breaking attempts, often undertaken by competitors whose protective equipment consisted of goggles, a leather helmet and a firm belief in British engineering.

Georgano’s pictorial history captures the atmosphere of this remarkable place, where spectators gathered to witness machines pushing the boundaries of speed and endurance. The photographs evoke an era of oil-stained mechanics, heroic competitors, eccentric personalities and cars whose engines occasionally appeared considerably larger than the vehicles surrounding them.

Yet Brooklands was more than a racing circuit. It also became an important centre of aviation, with aircraft development and manufacturing adding another dimension to its extraordinary engineering heritage. Apparently, having mastered the art of travelling dangerously fast along the ground, the natural next step was to attempt something equally ambitious several thousand feet above it.

The outbreak of the Second World War brought racing at Brooklands to an end in 1939, leaving behind a celebrated history and the remains of a circuit whose influence extended far beyond its concrete banking.

Condition: Very Good. This is a previously owned copy dating from 1995, displaying only modest signs of age and handling. Unlike the original Brooklands track, it has survived the passage of time without requiring substantial reconstruction or the intervention of an enthusiastic preservation society.

Published by Beaulieu Books in 1995. ISBN: 9781854431295.

Offered by Crappy Old Books, where we admire the magnificent achievements of early British motorists, particularly their willingness to risk life and limb in vehicles possessing the structural protection of a biscuit tin.

An excellent addition to any collection of Brooklands memorabilia, historic motor racing photography or British automotive heritage. Particularly recommended for enthusiasts who appreciate an age when motorsport involved enormous courage, glorious machinery and the comforting absence of lengthy discussions about health and safety.

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