Tuesday, 17 May 2022 will mark 100 years to the day when Kenelm Lee Guinness, driving the 350 hp Sunbeam, broke the World Land Speed Record on the Brooklands Circuit. Reaching a speed of 133.75mph, it was the last time the World Land Speed Record was achieved on a closed circuit with all future attempts made on open straights.
Brooklands Museum, working in partnership with the National Transport Trust , National Motor Museum, Beaulieu and Steam Dreams are planning to deliver a fantastic day of activities to celebrate the great significance of this record. The 350 hp Sunbeam, combining automotive design with aviation engineering, was pushing the boundaries of what could be achieved with these ever-developing technologies.
The day will be an opportunity to see the record making 350 hp Sunbeam at Brooklands Museum 100 years to the day it was used to break the Land Speed Record, alongside other period cars including the Napier Railton, the ‘Beast of Turin’ and period Sunbeam racing cars.
The event will be open to the Public - see Brooklands web site for details
Members of National Transport Trust are encouraged to come and enjoy this very special event - NTT members will be able to book tickets at special prices - more details to follow.
Arrive by Steam hauled express train...
Steam Dreams are organising a special excusion for those who would like to arrive in Steam hauled style and be part of creating a unique historic event.
They will set out from London and travel through the suburbs towards Brooklands Racetrack. Their locomotive, Mayflower, is planned to steam past Brooklands slowly where we hope that the historic moment will be captured on camera, in a staging of the famous F Gordon Crosby painting (see above) of the 350HP Sunbeam racing along the railway straight, overtaking a steam driven express train.
After being part of the historic photo, visitors will be able to alight at Woking and to join the Brooklands Centenary event. All passengers will be transferred to Brooklands by vintage bus provided by London Bus Museum and as well as having the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere at this unique event. They will also have the chance to join an illustrated talk about car's history and will see a parade of vintage cars on the finishing straight, before returning to London by steam.
For more details see Steam Dreams website
Download more detailed information on this event (as of 11th February)