The Maldon U3A Aviation Group organised a coach outing to the historic Brooklands Racing Track. Built in 1907 in 17 weeks without a JCB in sight and with private finance it provided the UK with a top track to develop cars and later aeroplanes.
The weather was wonderful with temperatures higher than Greece and Italy at 25 degrees C.
After a very uneventful 1 3/4hour journey we were met by a Guide who suggested we first had a cup of tea.
After this welcome break we were split into two parties - one went to the car section while the other did avaition.
Having a welcome cup of tea
Photos by John Bowen & Paul Costa
One of the many beautiful racing cars
Want to race?
One of the many planes parked in the open - a Tri-Star
This group
were waiting to board Corcorde DG - the 6th one built.
An Olympus Engine from a Concorde
Boarding Concorde through what was a luggage door when in service
As we walked down towards to cockpit we were shown a very good film about Concorde
John Bowen seated in the First Class
- where is the Champange?
Part of another film
A wonderful shot of a Concorde taking off - the noise was amazing
Paul Costa having had a quick trip to New York and back
Photo of the Concorde Simulator
The Simulator Computer - more than likely you have more RAM on your PC at home
Looking at the Hill Climb in a Ford Cosworth
Having survived the Hill Climb - this is the start of the Bank Race Track
Photo by Paul Costa
We are off and tanking around the track
We are going too fast and are too high up the bank - the result - a 4 wheel skid!
We nearly crash into the Gate Marshal seated in the middle of the track - white speck
Now into one of the avaition hangars - a Sopworth Camel
The write-up for it
Model of the Dam Busters Lancaster
Story of the Dam Bursters Mission which breached the Mohr Dams.
Looking down inside a Wellingtom Bomber
Wellington Bomber which had crashed in Lock Lomand and was recovered a few years ago
Enjoying the sun whilst having lunch
After lunch many of the party walked around to the Mercedes Benz Centre which cost £160Million
An 1897 Mecedes Benz car
Going up the 5 floors we could see classic cars on display
Another classic car
Our guide getting out of as Gull-Wing car
Demonstrating an AMG Mercedes Benz special car
Each engine is built one Engineer whos name is written on the top white plaque
An "Exploded" racing car - into 3,000 pieces which took 3 months to arrange
2010 winning racing car
Another winning racing car
A special car which was on sale for £386,000
This Gull Wing was for sale at £1.4Million - a set of brake pads werre £11,000 as they were ceramic
Only 3 were made in 2010
Now it is our turn to be driven by the 2010 Sports Car
of the Year Champion around the Test Track
We are in a CL Class AMG Mercedes Benz
Rev Counter is doing 5,200 RPM and 95mph!
Having done 3 laps of the track it was time to do the skid pan circuit.
Thank you Geoff Cottrell and the Aviation Committee for organising such an enjoyable day out.
As someone said when I told them where I had been and what I had done - "Big Boys need Big Toys!".
John Bowen and Paul Costa.
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(c) Maldon U3A 2011
Last revised:- 16th May, created this page.