About Brooklands Trust Members

A short history of the BTM

It was whilst visiting the Targa Florio in Brescia , Italy 1906 that Hugh Locke King gained the inspiration to construct the world’s first purpose built motor course. Using land he owned in Weybridge, Surrey, and encouraged by Lord Montagu and others, the huge banked circuit was created from farm and marsh land in just under a year. Opened in 1907 the track flourished both as a race circuit and pioneering aviation centre until war broke out in 1914 when it was taken over by the Royal Flying Corps. Following World War I the circuit reopened and racing recommenced until the advent of World War II in 1939 which finally caused the circuit to close. With the expansion of the Vickers works on the site to accommodate mass wartime aircraft construction, and attempts to disguise the circuit itself, the track was never open for motor racing again.

Many years of commercial activity had seen the site largely neglected until the Brooklands Society was formed in 1967, led by eminent Motor Sport journalist and author Bill Boddy. Over time and under the guidance of Sir Peter Masefield, and others interested in preserving this historic site, over 30 years of  accumulated scrap aircraft parts and debris were cleared and much of the remaining track and associated buildings were saved.

The Brooklands Museum Trust was formed in 1987 and following negotiations with the land owners , Gallahers, this led to the opening of Brooklands Museum itself on the key 30 acre site, which included many of the historic buildings and the famous Members Banking, in 1991. The Trust itself is an independent charity whose aim is to conserve, protect and interpret this historic site.  At this time there were four organisations involved at Brooklands, The Brooklands Society, Brooklands Club, Friends of Brooklands and the Brooklands Trust itself.

All these groups were keen supporters of the museum but it became clear by 2007 that it would be logical to amalgamate all the groups together as they all had a common purpose. After much effort by a small group of enthusiasts the Brooklands Club and the Friends of Brooklands did join together under the auspices of the Brooklands Trust in the summer of 2008 to create one official supporters group known as the Brooklands Trust Members. The Brooklands Society remains an independent body at present.

The Brooklands Trust Members now support the museum in all it’s preservation work by funding specific projects as well as organising special events and talks for the membership throughout the year .