The Brooklands Museum complex is always worth a visit, even if there is no specific event, although at the
moment parts of it are a building site, as work is in hand to relocate the main aircraft hangar. However, that is
only a minor detraction to its varied attractions, including the car museum in the restored garage buildings,
the London Bus Museum, a variety of historic aircraft and the Concorde Experience.
The gathering followed its traditional programme of static vehicle displays around the museum buildings and
aircraft, with the opportunity for registered participants to drive on the adjacent Mercedes-Benz World test
track in groups before the lunch break, together with the always popular “Silver Arrows” display team
demonstration after the track action. The afternoon activity provides participants with the chance to pit
themselves and their car against the old Brooklands test hill adjacent to the main paddock area, and this is
always lined from top to bottom with spectators encouraging those attempting the climb, with clapping and
cheering along their way.
Visitors were greeted by the main Ferrari parking areas which occupy the twin stretches of ground between
the museum buildings going towards the clubhouse and main paddock area. One of the first cars that one
saw in this area was a spectacular metallic yellow with black stripes F12 tdf, believed to be one of only two in
the UK at this time, and probably the first time that an example has been on display at a public event, whilst
alongside it was a 458 Speciale, not a bad start to the day. There were a large number of Ferraris on display,
forming an almost red sea, predominantly from the late seventies to date, with the occasional earlier example
as well, like a nice black 365 GT4BB. Also in this area were some trade displays, including Rardley Motors
with a 365 GTB4 “Daytona”, and DK Engineering with an expansive display of classis and modern examples,
running from a 250 GT SWB Berlinetta, through a 275 GTB, a “Plexi” 365 GTB4, to a 458 GTB, with a
Lamborghini LM 004 towering over everything.
The Lamborghini displays, mainly around the historic aircraft on the opposite side of the clubhouse, were also
very large and varied, with predominantly modern examples in a variety of lurid colours including an orange
with gold accents Aventador LP760-4 by Oakley design. There were also a selection of earlier models,
including a pair of Silhouettes, an Urraco, Countachs and an Islero S. Maserati was also well represented
again by mainly modern variants of the marque, and finished in more sombre hues than their compatriots from
Sant’Agata. Fronting the clubhouse in the main paddock area was the Barkaways Ferrari display, which
featured a current restoration project of a Ferrari 275 GTB as a bare chassis/body unit. Amongst the cars in
and around the paddock area were a pair of Ferrari 458 Speciale Apertas, one in metallic yellow and the other
in metallic red, a LaFerrari also in metallic red, Alfa Romeo 4C and 8C plus a classic 1900 SS Coupe, a De
Tomaso Panera and a very rare Moretti 850 Coupe, to name but a few. There were also some non Italian
“interlopers”, including a Ford GT, a McLaren, a Noble and a wild Bugatti Veyron finished in bare black carbon
fibre and yellow by Oakley Design, which was also run on the test track. This car featured in the May 2016
edition of the magazine, and was excused for its inclusion as non Italian, on the basis that Ettore Bugatti was
born in Italy and that the Bugatti EB110s were built in Modena, actually Campogalliano, during the late
eighties and early nineties. Sounds like a good enough reason to include a unique bespoke supercar with so
much presence.
It wasn’t all about supercars, as there were quite literally hordes of what, not wishing to sound denigrating,
might be termed “more humble” Italian cars, with Fiats of almost every age, shape and size stretching round
the banking of the old race track, together with Alfa Romeos and Lancias spread around in various locations,
whilst the motorcycle display area to the rear of the clubhouse was also impressive. All in all, another really
enjoyable day, with a relaxed atmosphere, for participants and visitors alike.
Keith Bluemel
05/2016
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