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Celebrating 100 years of Brands Hatch

As of 2026, Brands Hatch is not only one of the UK’s best loved motor racing circuits, but also a global icon, revered by competitors and followers of the sport worldwide. Today, the circuit is at the very heart of Britain’s motorsport scene, hosting high profile national and international events, grassroots meetings and countless other activities. The latter includes track days and driving experiences which, allow anybody to follow in the wheeltracks of the legends who raced at the venue during its time as a Grand Prix venue.

From Jim Clark to Nigel Mansell, to Barry Sheene and Carl Fogarty, Brands Hatch has been the stage on which many of the sport’s greats have performed. It’s where James Hunt and Niki Lauda’s infamous F1 title fight quite literally reached boiling point during the scorching summer of 1976, and where British champions are crowned year after year. Over a ‘Century of Power’ Brands Hatch has established itself as one of the jewels of motor racing. This is its story...

1920s - From humble beginnings

The tale begins in 1926, when a group of passing cyclists identified a mushroom field, part of Brands Hatch Farm, close to the A20 London to Dover road, as a potential sporting venue. Initial races were organised for both cyclists and cross-country runners, but motorbike grasstrack competition arrived before the decade’s end.

1930s - The circuit’s first heyday

By the 1930s, Brands Hatch was well established as a venue for two-wheeled competition, with frequent meetings hosted by an organisation titled the Brand Hatch Combine. Crowds of 30,000 and more regularly attended to watch stars like Jack Surtees and Eric Oliver in action prior to the site’s requisition as an army base during the War.

The circuit initially ran in an anti-clockwise direction, with competitors having to traverse up Paddock Hill bend as the final corner.

1940s - Competition resumes apace

Grass track motorcycle racing returned to the site, now known as Brands Hatch Stadium, following the War, under the watch of former TT racer Joe Francis. It was during this period that the circuit hosted the BBC’s first televised motorcycle racing. Stars from the ‘30s returned, alongside a new generation, including John Surtees who acted as a passenger to his father, Jack, and a young Bernie Ecclestone...

Crowds and grids continued to grow in the post-war era, and the owners of the Estate's ambitions grew with them.

1950s - Paving the way forwards

A new tarmac surface was laid in 1950 to allow car racing to arrive. Stirling Moss was among the early 500cc Formula 3 competitors, ushering in an era in which Graham Hill, Jack Brabham and Bruce McLaren were to race at the Kent amphitheatre. The decade also saw future promoter extraordinaire John Webb join the team, with his first job being the announcement of a new track extension up to what we now know as Druids.

Car racing arrived at Brands Hatch in the post-war era, with the 50s being the first full decade of four-wheeled motorsport here.

1960s - A Grand Prix circuit

Brands Hatch’s rapid growth continued in the 1960s with the creation of an extended woodland circuit layout. This allowed the circuit to host Formula 1 for the first time, with the non-championship Silver City Trophy in 1960 followed by its first ever Grand Prix in 1964, won by Jim Clark. This began an era in which Brands Hatch was at the heart of global motorsport, hosting regular Grands Prix and sports car events, with Pedro Rodríguez delivering one of the greatest wet-weather drives in motorsport history at the start of the next decade in the Brands Hatch 1000km.

Sir Jackie Stewart piloting his Matra MS10 through what was then known as Bottom Bend (now Graham Hill Bend) during the 1968 Race of Champions.

Phil Hill and Mike Spence teamed together in the second BOAC 500 race in 1967, driving their Chapparral 2F to victory.

Graham Hill in action during the 1968 Race of Champions in his Lotus 49.

The team of Jose Juncadella and Gordon Spice being followed out of Clearways by the team of David Hobbs and Mike Hailwood during the 1969 Brands Hatch 6 Hours in their respective Ford GT40s

Peter Gethin won two of the three Guards Formula 5000 Championship rounds hosted by Brands Hatch in 1969, on a dominant run to the title in his McLaren M10A

1970s - A staple of the international scene

Grands Prix and non-championship F1 races abounded in the 1970s. Emerson Fittipaldi won an astonishing three races at the circuit for Lotus in 1972, while Jochen Rindt, Jackie Stewart, Jody Scheckter and Carlos Reutemann were among the others to win in F1. Niki Lauda was ultimately awarded victory in arguably the circuit’s most famous and controversial F1 race during his epic 1976 title fight with James Hunt. On two wheels, Brands Hatch began to host Transatlantic Trophy events during this period, while it was the peak of the Hutchinson 100’s popularity on a reversed Grand Prix circuit. American cars visited for the first time too, with Rick Mears winning the Daily Mail Indy Trophy.

James Hunt battling with Niki Lauda during the 1976 British Grand Prix.

Photo: Fred Gallagher

The World Sportscar Championship was another blue-riband championship frequently appearing at Brands Hatch, hosting rare Sportscar-only rounds during the 70s.

Motorcycle racing remained permanently popular during the decade as well, bumper crowds frequently appearing

Pedro Rodríguez produced one of the greatest ever drives at Brands Hatch, in the 1970 BOAC 1000km race. Driving for over five hours in torrid conditions, Pedro overcame an early trip to the pits, passing the entire field and ultimately winning by 5 laps alongside team-mate Leo Kinnunen in their famous Gulf-liveried Porsche 917K.

In between years of hosting the Formula 1 World Championship, the Race of Champions filled the gaps with non-championship Formula 1 racing

Emerson Fittipaldi in 1972, preparing for the British Grand Prix in front of an eager crowd

Lella Lombardi was one of the few women to participate in Formula 1, including at Brands Hatch in 1974

1980s - A glorious end to an era

Prior to the ‘80s, Brands Hatch alternated as the British Grand Prix host with Silverstone. The race moved permanently to the latter venue from 1987, but the Kent circuit went out in style. John Webb cannily negotiated for the circuit to host a sequence of five back-to-back British and European Grands Prix from 1982 until 1986 with Nigel Mansell winning the last two (including his maiden F1 victory in 1985) to the delight of the home fans. The decade also starred Group A touring cars, Group B rallycross, Group C sports cars, Thundersaloons and a golden era of Formula Ford.

Nigel Mansell taking his first Formula 1 victory at the 1985 European Grand Prix.

Photo: Getty Images / LAT

A tough start for Hans-Joachim Stuck in a BMW M1 Procar race in 1980

Formula Fords have always been able to handle damp conditions, as seen here in 1982

John Welch wrestling a Ford Escort during the Rallycross British Grand Prix in 1984

Thundersaloons were a frequent feature attraction at Brands Hatch during this period, including here in 1986.

Motorcycle Grand Prix legend Barry Sheene switched from two wheels to four in the mid-80s, taking part in the British Saloon Car Championship, as well as the International Truck Superprix, pictured above.

International Group C sportscar racing was also a fixture at the circuit during the 80s, Jonathan Palmer pictured above en route to winning the 1984 1000kms of Brands Hatch.

Kevin Gutteridge recalls his favourite memory of Brands Hatch, the 1986 Williams Tribute Day:

"No better place to wrap up an eventful championship year in Formula 1. Four months earlier Brands Hatch had staged its last British Grand Prix, a one two for Williams and a memorable victory for Nigel Mansell."

Photo: Kevin Gutteridge

"A chilly but beautiful autumnal weekend, the Williams team arrived with a wonderful collection of F1 cars, Frank Williams, Patrick Head along with Nigel doing their utmost to say a big thank you to the fans. Very special as Frank had not long returned to the pit garage after his horrendous accident earlier that year."

Photo: Kevin Gutteridge

"His demo laps in the FW11 were very special and the fans were given full access to the pitlane, what a day at Brands Hatch, everything just seemed right, for the Williams team and the fans, there was no better place to be."

Photo: Kevin Gutteridge

Alastair Ladd was another in attendance at the event: "I was anticipating Mansell winning his first WDC at Adelaide but the burst tyre put an end to that. Despite Mansell not winning the Championship he still entertained the thousands of fans by blasting round his FW11 and doing doughnuts too."

Photo: Alastair Ladd

1990s - A super, super decade

Grands Prix and World Sportscar racing no longer featured at Brands Hatch as the ‘90s arrived. But this merely paved the way for new heroes to take the spotlight. An initial World Superbike Championship event in 1993 was followed two years later by the circuit forming a permanent place on the calendar at the height of ‘Foggy Mania’. Masses also regularly packed into the venue for the British Touring Car Championship’s iconic Super Touring era. There was still F1 star power too, with thousands turning out for special tests hosted by Williams.

Carl Fogarty dominated the 1995 Superbike World Championship, including a famous double win in the European round at Brands Hatch.

Photo: Double Red / doublered.co.uk

The British Superbike Championship started its current guise in 1996, providing a stable and popular platform for two-wheeled racing in the United Kingdom for years to come.

Photo: Double Red / doublered.co.uk

Construction continues apace on new pitlane facilities, 1993

Williams F1 Team frequently conducted shakedowns at Brands Hatch during the decade, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve pictured here in 1996 during a filming day ahead of the British Grand Prix.

Photo: KM Media

Hans-Joachim Stuck teamed up with Theirry Boutsen en route to victory during the BPR Global Series' 4 Hours of Brands Hatch in 1996.

Photo: Gary Hawkins

Carl Fogarty leading the field into Paddock Hill bend on his way to victory in the 1995 Superbike World Championship.

Photo: Double Red / doublered.co.uk

Niall MacKenzie won three British Superbike titles in a row from 1996 to 1998. In 1997, he won 13 of the 22 races, including two at Brands that year.

Photo: Double Red / doublered.co.uk

2000s - The start of a new era

After a 25-year absence, IndyCar (then known as CART/Champ Car) returned for a one-off event in 2023. But the circuit was heavily loss-making by this point, and in dire need of investment. The venue received a new lease of life following the Jonathan Palmer-led MotorSport Vision (MSV) takeover in 2004. The venue benefited immediately from this revitalisation. British Touring Car and British Superbike Championship events were joined by top-class international competition, which included the final tranche of World Superbike meetings, the arrival of DTM German touring cars, the World Touring Car Championship and the global debut of the A1 GP World Cup of Motorsport.

Pre-race ceremonies underway at the inaugural race of the A1 Grand Prix of Nations (later the A1 GP World Cup of Motorsport) in 2005.

2003 saw another visit of top-level North American open wheel racing in the form of the London Champ Car Trophy. Sébastien Bourdais won the race, his first in CART.

Jonathan Palmer signing the papers that transferred ownership of multiple UK circuits to the MotorSport Vision group in 2004.

Bernd Schneider is a 4-time Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters champion, and won in DTM's second visit to Brands Hatch in 2007.

James Toseland crosses the line to rapturous applause during the 2007 Superbike World Championship meeting at Brands Hatch. He won both main races that weekend - his last competitive appearance at the track.

Photo: Raceline

MotorSport Vision acquired the organisational and commercial rights to the British Superbike Championship in 2008. Depsite a frosty start when snow covered the circuit during April 2008's cold snap, the following years have been a great success!

Photo: Double Red / doublered.co.uk

The first A1 Grand Prix of Nations race at Brands Hatch was won by Nelson Piquet, Jr. in 2005, in front of a capacity crowd.

2010s - Fresh ideas for a cornerstone of British motorsport

Brands Hatch’s calendar evolved rapidly in the 2010s. Major international events including GT World Challenge Europe and DTM continued to play a role, alongside national staples like British Touring Cars and British Superbikes. But the circuit also began to innovate with new concepts. American SpeedFest, headlined by EuroNASCAR, became a phenomenon, Trucks and Fireworks sprung into existence as one of the South East’s biggest family days out, and new themed car shows and historic events benefited from increased promotion and profile. The circuit also held the Road Cycling events at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Loïc Duval leads the field through Paddock Hill Bend during Race 2 of DTM's visit to Brands in 2019.

Photo: Az Edwards

Tommy Hill pipped John Hopkins to the line by 0.006 seconds in the championship decider for the 2011 British Superbike Championship, one of the closest title deciding margins in racing history.

Brands Hatch's American SpeedFest commenced in 2013, with official NASCAR-sanctioned racing provided by the championship now known as the NASCAR Euro Series.

Circuit owner Jonathan Palmer congratulates former race driver Alex Zanardi on winning Gold during the 2012 Paralympic Games at Brands Hatch. The popular Italian achieved two gold medals and one silver in handcycling at the Kent venue.

Photo: Tristan Harris

Andrew Jordan struck an iconic image as he celebrated winning the 2013 British Touring Car Championship.

The first Brands Hatch Mini Festival took place in 2012, celebrating the historic marque, an annual tradition that continues to this day.

The season now regularly rounds out with an annual Trucks & Fireworks event on the first Sunday of November, another tradition begun during the 2010s.

International-level professional motorsport remains a staple at the circuit, partly through championships like the Blancpain Sprint Series, now known as GT World Challenge, which arrived in 2014.

2020s - Reaching a Century of Power

The 2020s began under a cloud, not just for Brands Hatch, but globally, with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. Happily, the circuit rebounded in the aftermath and has welcomed strong crowds ever since. Highlights during these most recent years include two of the best British Superbike finales of all time, local hero Jake Hill becoming British Touring Car Champion, and American SpeedFest expanding to the next level. The circuit continues to host the best that British motorsport has to offer on two, four and even six wheels with competition from March to November. After 100 years, Brands Hatch remains a British institution, and one of the busiest motor racing circuits anywhere in the world.

Jake Hill secures the 2024 British Touring Car Championship after finishing second in the final race of the season.

The British GT Championship has been running since 1993, and races on the GP circuit have been an annual fixture, now featuring GT3 and GT4 machinery.

American SpeedFest expanded its footprint off-track with the addition of the Speedfest Music Festival, a celebration of Americana and UK-based country acts. The main stage was headlined by Breland in 2025.

Even in its most recent era, Brands Hatch has hosted reunions of past stars with their machinery. Emerson Fittipaldi reunited with his championship-winning Lotus 72D at Brands in 2022.

Valentino Rossi retired from his legendary motorcycle career having sadly never raced at Brands Hatch. However, he secured his first professional overall podium in his second career on four wheels in 2023 at the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint opener.

Tommy Bridewell (no. 1) was involved in consecutive final-race BSB championship deciders at Brands Hatch in 2023 and 2024. He won by half a point in 2023, but in the "Race of the Decade" the following season, Kyle Ryde (no. 77) took the chequered flag to win the race and the title by 0.296 seconds and a single point.

Share Your Memories

As we celebrate 100 years of this iconic venue, we’re inviting fans, drivers, marshals, and locals to help us bring its history to life.

Whether you were trackside in the 1960s, cheering from the grandstands in the 90s, or capturing the action on your phone last weekend, your memories are part of the circuit’s legacy. Every snapshot and every story adds another layer to the rich tapestry of Brands Hatch’s past.

Click here for more information on how to share your memories of Brands Hatch.