Brooklands 2025 Easter Gathering

Our first company outing of 2025 didn’t exactly go as planned. A handful of us decided to head to Brooklands Motor Museum on 19th April for the Easter Gathering, a celebration of all things pre-1995 (is this considered vintage now? Because that hurts…)

With Ray and I geared up and astride our motorcycles, we headed out to get on the road. Although rain was not scheduled that day, rain is what we got. At this point I’m starting to believe I’m just straight up cursed. Thankfully, an hour later the weather cleared and we were able to dry off on the remainder of the ride.

Pulling into the carpark, we met Teresa and her son Zakk. Unknown to us, our illustrious leader had informed Teresa that he was currently broken down at Cobham services. So we went in to find coffee and begin looking around.

Having pushed our way through the first level and securing sustenance in the form of black coffee and some delicious Greek giro’s, we pushed deeper into the belly of this beast to the main stand and the embankment.

Among the cars on display, we spotted a familiar orange shape. Our own 2002 tii had drawn a lot of interest from onlookers and of course meant that Barney and his nephew Omar had finally arrived to join the event.

If you have never been to Brooklands, it is well worth a visit, if nothing else, just to fully comprehend how daunting the track really is. To race these early cars at over 100mph around the 30ft high steep embankment must have required unrivalled courage, summed up perfectly by the following quote:

“Everyone was aware that in the same split-second in which the glory could be gained, the ultimate penalty might be paid.”   

Amongst the aircraft hangars and planes on display, we somehow tagged ourselves onto a tour by the Heritage skills organisation. This brilliant initiative helps young persons to learn mechanical and coach building skills, finding placements and ensuring the next generation of youngsters are equipped to keep these vehicles running when the old guard have retired.

Fin.

With a fantastic day at Brooklands under our belts, the sun was shining and it was time for a much warmer (and dryer) ride back to base. The Honda performed brilliantly and it was fun to get out on the bikes with Ray from the workshop and his BMW R9T. Now, if you need me, I'll be getting busy with a bucket and sponge, cleaning off the muck from such a wet morning...

We'll see you at the next one!