Merlin powered Hadlye at Brooklands.
Story and photos by Jonathan Sharp
To most people in the world of old cars, mid-August means one thing, Monterey Car Week. But there are other things going on. Take for example Sunday the 16th.
This was the day for a nice leisurely run up to the Brooklands Racing Circuit in Surrey.
As the event did not start until 10am I was able to wake up at much more sensible time than for some of the events I attend, and I looked forward to an easy run up to Surrey to enjoy the sights and sounds of the annual Brooklands Reunion. This is the kind of event where overheard snippets of conversation usually do not include the words $millions, but things like camshafts and chain drives and, “Oh my Grandfather bought it new in 1926 and it’s been in the family ever since”. An even where Granddads could be seen explaining the benefits of supercharging to their grandsons whilst grandmother sets up the lunchtime picnic on the grass next to the test hill.
The organizers advertise the event as being the only time the circuit fully reverts to how it would have looked prior to its closure in 1939 and with a few understandable exceptions they succeeded. The participants and visitors were encouraged to wear period cloth and whilst you could not compare it to a certain event in Sussex a lot of people had made an effort. Even yours truly wore a shirt and tie and tweed jacket though the tweed jacket was quickly removed as it was rather too hot.
The MGs of Colin Reynolds (M12/12 Replica) and David Naylor (L2 Magna) get the jump on the Fraser Nash TT replica of Alistair Pugh and Martin Bell’s Sunbeam 10/16 Special. As an aside the Hanger behind the cars was erected by the Ministry of Aircraft production in 1940 across the start/finishing straight. The Hanger design is known as a Bellman Transportable Aeroplane shed. The design dates from 1936. Four Bellmans were built for Vickers Armstrong during 1940 at the height of the Battle of Britain at a cost of £5513. Plans are afoot for the hanger to be moved and the start/finishing line to be restored. For further info take a look at brooklandsmuseum.com.
As to the event itself the day started with some races, and the cars were grouped very much as they would have been in period. They raced from the original start/finishing line in front of the Vickers Hanger up onto the old banking, then under the members bridge until the banking runs out a few hundred yards further on. The cars then turned back on themselves before re-joining the start/finishing line.
Not fast but a lot of fun and the crowd seemed to appreciate it if the cheers for the slower cars is anything to go by. During the lunch break most of the cars and drivers made their way over to the adjacent Mercedes Benz World site to parade around their test track. Later in the afternoon the test hill was opened and many of the cars attempted the climb. The most spectacular was the Rolls Royce Merlin powered Hadlye Special (it is correctly spelled) which managed to leave tire marks for most of the length of the hill and enveloped the spectators in tire smoke, which the spectators enjoyed. The spectators were however equally appreciative of the less powerful cars and any failures to complete the climb was met with a collective “Ooh” from the crowd swiftly followed by applause for having made a good effort.
As to the entrants themselves? Nothing Italian and only a few French models but an entry very much in the spirit of the original events held prior to 1939.
This Delage Coupe de L Auto from 1911 was entered by David Ozanne. .
Delage on the test hill.
Delage engine.
In the paddock area.
Napier Railton on a Sunday drive.
Famous Packard V-12 was entered by John Dennis. The Packard V12 (Twin Six) influenced Enzo Ferrari to build his own V12s.
Packard V12 engine.e.
Hadlye Special with Rolls-Royce Merlin Mk3 engine.
Concord, Napier Railton, Rolls-Royce-Best of British. The Rolls dates from 1935, Chassis GHG19, Coachwork by HJ Mulliner and Co. During the Germany occupation of Jersey in the Channel Islands this car was used from 1940 till the war’s end as a Nazi staff car.
Anthony Mottram’s 1930 S Type Invicta.
The engine plate makes very interesting reading.
Citroen Traction Avant 11BL no owner listed but the information sheet in the car lists it as being a Paris built Onze Berline Legere model, 1911cc. The info sheet also goes on to say that the 1938 model was the first to be fitted with Michelin X tires and Pilote wheels with the wing size being increased to cover them. This model however has the earlier narrower wings.
Old cars bring people together, conversation overheard, “Oh I think mine is fitted the wrong way round…” owners swap notes.
David Catton’s 1932 Norton 30 International motorbike and side car complete with brave Brooklands volunteer riding the chair.
Wolseley in the paddock.
1936 Squire Lightweight. Entered by Roy Palmer.
Stafford Special.
Stafford Special.
The Stafford is owned by P Colborne Baber.
Just relax.
John Dennis would seem to be enjoying the applause from the crowd in his well know 1907 Berliet Curtis Racer.
Ian Bain’s 1924 KTOR Brough Superior racer. The KTOR engine in the Brough is the earliest surviving example and the AMX racing carburettor is so early it predates the official factory records.
The 1927 AC Acedes 6 Monthlery of David Hescroff.
Lorne Jacobs replica of Captain (later Sir) Malcolm Campbell’s Land Speed record car from 1927. On the 4th February, on Pendine in Wales, Campbell wrestled the record from Parry Thomas and his car Babs with a speed of 174.88 mph.
Bluebird engine is a Napier Lion W12 Aero engine.
Long fast and blue.
Unusual Aston Martin “Razor Blade” from 1922 has a 1,500cc 16 valve engine and the body was made by the De Havilland aircraft company. It lapped Brooklands at over 98 mph in 1923.
Aston Martin Razor Blade engine.
Pete,
Great story, was discussing aero engined cars with a couple of friends just the other day.
Doug
The Brooklands Reunion was a fabulous event where I managed to sketch Lorne Jacobs’ Napier Campbell Bluebird re-creation and the Napier Railton.
The weather was actually fabulous too!
I’m hoping to return!!