Secrets of Brooklands: The Oldest Circuit in the World | Circuit Tour 2018 Part 2

Описание: Secrets of Brooklands: The Oldest Circuit in the World | Circuit Tour 2018 Part 2

Join us as we explore the legendary Brooklands Race Track—widely recognized as the world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit! This video is part two of our 2018 Circuit Tour through Northern France and England, capturing the rich history and remains of this iconic British racing venue.

🎙️ Special thanks to Simon Smith for the voiceover! ‪@HigherPlainGames‬

🏁 About Brooklands Circuit
Opened in 1907 near Weybridge, southwest of London, Brooklands was the brainchild of entrepreneur Hugh F. Locke-King. At a time when racing on public roads was banned in the UK, Locke-King set out to build a permanent venue for motorsport—a revolutionary idea at the time.

The resulting circuit was a unique high-banked oval combined with an infield road course and a steep hill used for vehicle testing. Brooklands wasn’t just about cars, either. In 1908, it became the site of Britain’s first airfield, attracting both automotive and aviation pioneers. Many manufacturers set up operations around the track, drawn by its testing potential.

🌟 The Golden Age of Brooklands
Before and after World War I, Brooklands flourished as a playground for the wealthy. Motorsport was a luxury pursuit, and Brooklands proudly embraced its exclusivity with the slogan: “The right crowd and no crowding.” Grand events, daring speed records, and elite social gatherings made it a hub of innovation and excitement.

💣 The War and Brooklands’ Decline
World War II marked the beginning of the end. The infield became home to the Vickers aircraft factory, which ramped up production for the war effort. The track, easily visible from the air, was partially camouflaged—holes were drilled into the surface and trees were planted to disguise it. Parts of the banking were even demolished to make room for factory expansion.

After the war, Vickers purchased the site and continued dismantling what was left of the track. Brooklands was no longer a racing venue, but rather an industrial site lost to time.

🏛️ Legacy Preserved
Thankfully, in the late 1990s, Brooklands was finally recognized for its historical value and granted monument status—saving the remaining parts from further destruction. Today, sections of the banking still survive as a haunting reminder of motorsport’s origins.

📽️ Want More Brooklands?
Be sure to also watch my lap on the surviving remains of Brooklands here:    • Brooklands Race Track Walk - The surviving...  

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Thanks for watching, and see you at the next legendary circuit! 🏁

#Brooklands #MotorsportHistory #AbandonedTracks