surface, hidden by the Bellman Hangar for decades. And it is no ordinary concrete. This is Ancient Monument territory, more rigorous even than being Listed. So ‘it is what it is’ – imperfections and all. It would test the competi- tors’ machines and skills. Although the 1897 track was raced anti-clockwise, we stuck to what we normally do, ie a right-handed track. The oval we created being just under 300 yards, it was to be six laps to the mile. But some alterations were made from the paper layout, particularly in regard to extra barriers on ‘Paddock Bend’, a nasty tight right hander leading back on to the start/finish ‘Clubhouse Straight’.
Briefings for marshals and riders were held as
Riders get ready to take part in the first race held on the Track since 1939 (Tim Morris).
Left to right: John Vause, Caroline Sibley, Michael Fattorini (from Guernsey) and Goy Feltes (Luxembourg) (Tim Morris).
usual, with Brooklands staff being directly involved and running the Track side. Our chief marshal, Martin Males, co-ordinating with Steve Castle for Brooklands, organised a team to time each entrant so grids could be established. Following a scrutineering check the trikes were allowed on Track, for free practice in the hour long morning session. This was split into groups of 10, so everyone got at least two periods out on Track. With two historic car magazines being represented, The Automobile and Octane, both with ‘new boys’ on the saddle, it was pleasing to see each of them take to the action like ducks to water; improving and speeding up as the day went on.
Re-creation
Practice was followed by a line-up of all the trikes and the re-creation of the 1897 Sheen House start; a great session with a huge number of pho- tographers lining up to catch the moment; all 20 trikes were led up together with period dressed members and friends providing a backdrop before splitting into groups of three trikes, as in the original photograph.
40
Then it was all back into the Clubhouse at 12.30pm for a short talk on how racing started in Great Britain and an excellent alcohol-free (unlike 1897!) lunch, with live 1890s piano music playing in the background. In short order,
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