Brands Hatch
Fawkham
Longfield
Kent
DA3 8NG
Tel: 01474 872331
Fax: 01474 874766
Ticket Hotline: 0870 850 5017
Website: www.motorsportdirect.co.uk
Lap Record: Brands Hatch Indy - 45.800s; Brands Hatch GP - 1m 25.728s
Lap Record Holder: Brands Hatch Indy - Gregorio Lavilla, Ducati; Brands Hatch GP - Gregorio Lavilla, Ducati
Directions: Brands Hatch lies to the south-east of London and is situated on the A20 near to West Kingsdown, some three miles from Junction 3 of the M25. It is also linked via the A20 the M20 and M25/26 motorways. The regular rail service is from London Victoria to Swanley (10 minutes taxi ride to circuit).
Track Info: The Brands Hatch circuit dates from 1926 when it was first used as a cycle race track- riders raced anti clockwise, the opposite direction to today. Two years later motorcyclists were using it as a scrambles track and by 1936 crowds of 30,000 would come to see regular grass track racing on the one-mile circuit. In 1948 the first ever televised motorcycle event took place at Brands Hatch.
The previously cinder surface was replaced by asphalt in 1950 and car racing began. In 1953 the Druids loop was added and the first racing school was formed. During the 50s competitors included John Surtees, Stirling Moss, Bernie Ecclestone, Colin Chapman and Jack Brabham, and in 1955 the first grandstand at a UK circuit was built. A year later Brands hosted its first Formula 1 race, a non-championship race.
The next big landmark was the creation of the Grand Prix circuit in 1960 with an extension through the woods that doubled its length to 2.65 miles. The inaugural motorcycle event that year was won by Mike Hailwood. In 1964 the first Formula 1 World Championship event took place at Brands Hatch, fittingly won by Jim Clark in a Lotus. Brands' first British Grand Prix was held in 1966, and Brands then alternated with Silverstone until 1986. Brands has hosted 14 World Championship F1 Grand Prix with all the top figures featuring- Brabham, Jo Siffert, Jochen Rindt, Emerson Fittipaldi, Jody Scheckter and Niki Lauda all won here over the years.
Over the past thirty five years Brands Hatch has been progressively further developed with changes to both the circuit and the facilities with the 70s and 80s being the halcyon years, featuring major international events such as the BOAC 500, the Race of Champions, the Guards Trophy, Motor Show 200 and Rothmans 50,000. Drivers such as Jackie Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi, Nigel Mansell, Ayrton Senna and Damon Hill regularly enjoyed racing at Brands.
Brands Hatch is the Jewel in UK motorsport's crown. The natural amphitheatre that is its Indy configuration offers unparalleled views of the action for spectators, while its awesome Grand Prix circuit remains one of the biggest challenges in UK motor racing. Its unique combination of dips, cambers, fearsome corners and hills means it is still one of the world's favourite racing circuits. The fevered excitement and action on a typical Superbikes weekend is unrivalled across the country.