Record-breaking numbers flock to Brooklands

| 12 Jan 2015

More than 5000 visitors and 1240 classic cars made the annual pilgrimage to the birthplace of British motorsport for the Brooklands New Year's Day Classic Gathering on 1 January. 

Vehicles ranging from a monstrous Scammell wrecker to priceless pre-war racers made the trip to the historic Surrey venue. The 32-acre site also played host to a trio of 1950s Borgward Hansas, a Panhard PL17, a Chrysler New Yorker and an early Trojan. 

A collection of DeLorean DMC-12s lined up alongside a group of Alvis' in front of the Wellington hangar, proving a hit with both young and old alike. 

Morris Minors and Ford Anglias were arranged near the museum shop, while the motoring village was dominated by an imposing selection of Rover P5s. 

The paddock in front of the Edwardian clubhouse was fittingly filled with vintage Bentleys and Rolls-Royces, as well as an array of early Austins and a rare 1935 Jensen Sports Tourer. 

A number of car clubs were positioned behind the Wellington hangar and offered further variety, with the largest displays belonging to the MGF Register and Mercedes-Benz Club. 

Museum director Allan Winn said: "This is the one day of the year where anything goes at Brooklands. Well, as much as we can fit in anyway! We were delighted to see so many classic vehicles and their owners coming out and putting down their markers for another year of motoring, and so many members of the public coming to enjoy this massive turn-out of motoring history.

"This year's event saw a big step-up from our previous attendance record in 2013, of 4900 people and around 1100 vehicles. We think this is the biggest New Year's Day classic meeting in the country, and we've got scope for it to be even bigger next year." 

Click here to see a stunning gallery of historic images charting the rise and fall of the Brooklands circuit.