Ashamed & Disgusted

Murray Keene · Post by **Murray Keene** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:09 pm

I used to be a menber of the 'enthusiasts' at Brooklands. I relinquished this as I have now seen them to be a pretty spineless organisation when it comes to the true SPIRIT of preservation and Brooklands.

I drove past the place the other day to see MORE track ripped out replaced by more commercial rubbish from bl**dy Mercedes. They couldnt wipe out Brooklands In 1943 so they are making sure its done properly now!

The centenery of Brooklands is coming up and whats left to show for it? The runway is all but torn up preventing the once marvellous 'fly ins'. The track is now a shadow of its former self. I also point out that about 3 years BEFORE Mercedes was allowed to bulldoze more of it, the remaining track was grade 2 listed as PROTECTED and not to be destroyed?

OK Mr Brown, so how much money was the exchequer bribed to 'look the other way' whilst our beloved Brooklands was demolished I wonder? Guys i work with asked me the other day " why havent we protected this site of the birth of aviation with AV Roe and the birthplace of motor racing? Also why dont we throw the Germans out and REBUILD the track back as it was and hold vintage racing and flying?"

I agree with them - a more fitting life for this site that is slowly disappearing into our memories. Shame on this Labour government and its so 'heritage' manifesto - it is all just LIES. Also shame on the previous governments who let this site be destroyed all for their piffling pound of gold.

I am ANGRY and dissillusioned with this country when the same thing would NEVER be allowed to happen in USA or come to that GERMANY!

Post by **Jelle Hieminga** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:18 am

This was about the original listing I think:

http://www.brooklands.org.uk/Conservation/schedule1.HTM

Murray Keene · Post by **Murray Keene** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:52 pm

Thats it Jelle thanks for that I havent read this in detail. However it is a bit of a case of shutting the stable door after the horses have bolted - too littl too late. The whole spirit of that wonderful banked track AND the vickers runway should be rebuild in totality. Our hallowed VC10's were born here for goodness sake along with concorde and many others.

How they can of allowed such desecration of the site eludes me. I would love to see recreations of vintage races featuring cars like the mighty Napier and even fly ins by old aircraft (as they used to). They could make Brooklands the PREMIER UK heritage site with a lottery grant and some determined TRUE enthusiasts. I live quite nearby and even the local people are sad that its all been torn up

russiandelta · Post by **russiandelta** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 9:45 pm

Murray, it was only the survivng track that was listed, the runway wasn't part of this. I was origianally opposed to the idea of DCUK moving in, however they are more in keeping than having another shopping complex in the middle of the site.
there is provision for a grass strip for future fly-ins, in between th new museum car park & the DCUK test track. The test track incorporates a large chunk of the surviving campell circuit & no surviving sections of track were lost during the development.
Rebuilding the circuit is no longer feasable im afraid (thank WWII, amongst other factors), why not come back to the museum for a look around, its improving all the time, with some huge projects coming up over the next 2 years. The friends 'issue' is much improved from a few years ago.

Murray Keene · Post by **Murray Keene** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 5:10 pm

DCUK? who are they?

russiandelta · Post by **russiandelta** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:51 pm

DCUK = Daimler Chrysler UK (Mercedes parent company)

Murray Keene · Post by **Murray Keene** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:05 am

I actually now believe a more fitting site for the aircraft exhibits from Brooklands would be the old Wisley airfield. Brooklands is sadly now VERY cramped. Surely if the right representations were made to the owners of the site and with some lottery backing Wisley could again be a prestige site for aircraft exhibits equal to the superb Duxford AND with a superb runway. The present owners have no idea what to do with the site.

Apparently to blast and remove the deep footed foundations of the runway and cart away spoil is around the 2-3 million mark thats why it still remains!

The runway is in remarkable condition only needing the stupid little armco barrier removing (supposedly to stop light aircraft landing) and a good sweep and its operational. Its a site crying out to be used for preservation BEFORE the likes of someone like Mercedes get their greedy mits on that too!

What a superb site to see wonderful modern buildings erected at Wisley with carefully planned exhibits and ocassional fly ins from RAF VC10's and other large aircraft - true preservation heaven!