Brands Hatch (GP) – did you know?
The second race of Pete’s 2021 Porsche Classic Boxster Cup season is just around the corner, held on the 1st May at Brands Hatch in Kent. I was challenged by our Managing Director with the task of researching Brands Hatch Circuit, so here are my top 10 interesting facts!
FACT 1: Brands Hatch’s origins date back to 1926, when cyclist Ron Argent, used farmland to carve a track into the natural amphitheatre known as Brands Hatch.
FACT 2: After great success, in 1950 an investment of £17,000 was generated to tarmac the track to accommodate circuit racing for both cars and bikes, reopening as a motor racing venue on 16th April 1950.
FACT 3: During the 1950’s the circuit became a global success, with legendary drivers such as Stirling Moss, Jim Clark and Jack Brabham racing there throughout the decade.
FACT 4: The track was expanded again during 1953 and 1954 with the addition of Druids Bend, lengthening the circuit to 1.24 miles and adding a pit lane and spectator banks.
FACT 5: The inaugural British Saloon Car Championship, now known as the British Touring Car Championship title was settled at Brands Hatch when Jack Sears won a shootout against Tommy Sopwith after the duo ended the season on identical points.
FACT 6: In 1960, planning permission was granted to extend the track further to 2.65 miles, creating the first incarnation of what is now known as the Grand Prix circuit. The official opening caused record traffic jams on the A20 as spectators flocked to see a non-championship F1 race, the event won by Jack Brabham.
FACT 7: In 1964, the circuit hosted its first Formula 1 British Grand Prix, won by Jim Clark in a Lotus-Climax. The Scotsman took his fifth “grand slam” a feat when a driver takes pole position, fastest lap, wins the race and leads every lap of the race on their way to victory.
FACT 8: In 1976 another £100,000 was spent to adjust the track again. The track was shortened, and new name changes came in, Hailwood Hill, Graham Hill Bend and Cooper Straight.
FACT 9: Nigel Mansell won his first-ever Formula 1 Grand Prix at Brands Hatch in 1985 for Williams. The race that year is known as the European Grand Prix. A year later Mansell took the F1 lap record around the circuit in what was its final year host Formula 1.
FACT 10: Since the turn of the millennium, the circuit has been used by premier European championships such as the BTCC, DTM, British GT and World Superbikes. It is known as one of the greatest circuits in the world and adored by fans and drivers alike.
Written by: Abi Glover, Business Support Co-ordinator
