Brooklands Events

Hi David /all,

   I thought I would resurrect your post from April to give the heads-up for the Brooklands motorcycle only day this coming Sunday 15-08-2021. Not a cheap day, but a few hundred bkes of all years and makes plus all the museum exhibits for those who haven't been before. If you ride your bike, enter by the competitors entrance. There was a really good turn-out of Nortons in 2019, so fingers crossed for a good (and dry) day out.

Hi David,

   The last couple of times I think the Surrey(?) branch has set up a gazebo near the general public entrance and other Nortons joined them there. There were also groups of other Nortons around the site, so I don't think there are specific areas. I doubt if there will be any restrictions on numbers and I would think you could turn up on the day, now we have passed July 19th. It might be a good idea to keep a mask handy for indoor areas though.

The Surrey Branch set up an excellent display, in 2019, that attracted 52 Nortons altogether at various times  throughout the day. This apparently is not going to happen this year following a lengthy discussion within the Branch regarding several important issues. The points discussed not being unique to the Surrey Branch.

A common moan from almost all Branches organising a similar meaningful display with all the bells and whistles being the setting up and dismantling of such. This repeatedly falling on the same few bodies, at each event,  who get little thanks for their time and efforts in providing a base for other members who come and go as they please.

Also, a significant change by the Brooklands organisers, for the 2019 event  was to charge everybody who came through the gates on a Classic bike. Whether as a visitor or as part of a display. This varied from around £13 to £17 depending on rider age and physical status. You don't have to be too good at Maths to work out that around £750 was consequently grabbed by the Museum from riders supporting the Surrey Display. Add to this the cost for most visitors of making, on average, an 80mile round trip and that is another £500 for displaying 50 Classic Nortons at the event.

I cannot think of any other local events that I show my Nortons at and get charged to do so.

Hi Phil,

   I quite agree with you on this, but don't know how we can change the situation, unless we just meet up at some random venue. This seems to be more and more prevalent these days with organisers extracting fees from all concerned. Road racing is probably the worse case, where you could pay well over £200 for a week-end's competition, while the circuit owners charge spectators to see you take the risks ! The VMCC 75th anniversary meeting at Cadwell Park, also this week-end, is a prime example.

   In the past, I have taken my 80 year old Norton down to Brooklands and ridden it at their events, but having said that, I would have gone as a spectator anyway. I go to the track a few times a year, so have been a Brooklands Trust member for the last few years, which makes the cost a bit more tolerable. You are spot-on about the mileage, 82 mile round trip for me.

Not a solution but an idea - join the British Motorcycle Charitable Trust.

For £20 per year you get free entry into 18 museum's around the coutry, which include both Brooklands and Sammy Millers.

https://www.bmct.org/

And if that's not enough our Mike Jackson is on their Board.

The recent Popham MegaMeet and this coming Brooklands have asked visitors to book entry tickets online. Apparently this is/was to keep track of the numbers attending the Brooklands event and even warned unless this was done, entry would not be guaranteed.  I have a BMCT card and have used it often as there are 4 great Museums within an hours ride of my home. I tried it on the Brookland's booking site but got nowhere slowly.

Hi Philip - I'll report in after my visit on Sunday.

Regards - Paul.

Had a great day at Brooklands today  - I just flashed my BMCT card at the gate and the guy took a note of my name and number on the card and waved me on.

Regards - Paul.

The Friends of the FAA pay £14 for their yearly membership. This entitles them to unlimited free entry plus some discount on various purchases.

This museum would be a great addition to the BMCT scheme. Plus just a few miles away is the Haynes Museum which is already a member.

When I rode the west leg of my Eric Cox tour of the southern counties. I dropped in to visit the Southampton Aviation Museum, the Beaulieu Motor Museum, Sammy Millers, then the Tank Museum. The return leg had visits to  Middle Wallop Army Flying Museum, Salisbury Cathedral, Andover Norton and  Norman Whites. The BMCT card easily earning its £20 cost.