Brooklands (disambiguation) facts for kids

Brooklands is a famous place in Surrey, England, known for its exciting history in motor racing and aviation. It was the world's very first purpose-built motor racing circuit, meaning it was designed specifically for car races. It also became a very important airfield, playing a big part in the early days of flying.

The Famous Brooklands Racing Circuit

Brooklands was built in 1907 by a wealthy landowner named Hugh Fortescue Locke King. He wanted a place where cars could race at high speeds and test their limits. The track was nearly 30 miles (48 km) southwest of London. It was a huge concrete oval, about 2.75 miles (4.43 km) long, with steep banked turns that allowed cars to go incredibly fast.

Racing History at Brooklands

Many famous races and speed records happened at Brooklands. It was a place where drivers pushed themselves and their machines to the extreme. People would gather to watch these thrilling events, seeing the fastest cars of their time zoom around the track. It was a very popular spot for car enthusiasts.

Brooklands and Aviation

Besides car racing, Brooklands quickly became a hub for aviation. The first airplane flight in Britain happened nearby in 1908. Soon, many aircraft manufacturers set up factories at Brooklands. It became a major center for designing, building, and testing airplanes. During both World War I and World War II, the airfield was very important for producing aircraft for the war effort.

Why Brooklands Closed

The racing circuit closed down in 1939, just as World War II began. The land was needed for aircraft production to help with the war. After the war, the circuit was never reopened for racing. Parts of the track were removed or built over.

What is Brooklands Today?

Today, much of the original Brooklands site is home to the Brooklands Museum. This museum celebrates the amazing history of both motor racing and aviation at Brooklands. Visitors can see old racing cars, motorcycles, and many historic aircraft, including a Concorde supersonic jet! You can even walk on parts of the original banked track.

Other Places Named Brooklands

The name "Brooklands" is also used for other places around the world, like suburbs in New Zealand and areas in Greater Manchester, England. However, the Brooklands in Surrey is the most famous because of its unique history in racing and flying.

The Bentley Brooklands Car

The famous car company Bentley even named one of its luxury cars, the Bentley Brooklands, after the historic racing circuit. This shows how important and well-known the original Brooklands track was in the world of automobiles.