Brooklands and Donington are two names that conjure up the halcyon days of British motor racing.
Brooklands, near Weybridge in Surrey, was the world’s first purpose-built enclosed motor circuit, constructed in 1907. Donington Park, at Castle Donington in Derbyshire, was the first purpose-built road-racing circuit in the UK, opened in 1931. The first two British Grands Prix were held at Brooklands in 1926 and ’28, and then from 1935 the British GP’s were staged at Donington. Racing at both ceased in 1939, never to return to Brooklands and not to reappear at Donington until 1977.
Now, Brooklands Museum and The Donington Grand Prix Collection have come together to celebrate their “twin” achievements, and their similarities are not just about their roots but as much about their future development. So much so that they have decided to formally “twin.”
“With such a great heritage between us, and so much common ground, we want to ensure that we play a really active part in keeping our history alive, both now and in the future,” explained Brooklands Museum Director, Allan Winn.
And those sentiments are shared by the man whose vision has created The Donington Grand Prix Collection,
Tom Wheatcroft. “The cars in our collection are a celebration of all eras of motor sport, from an Austin Seven with Brooklands provenance, through to Grand Prix cars of the 21st century. Formally twinning is a great way to strengthen our unique relationship.”
