History of Brands Hatch

2026 marks a century of speed for the Brands Hatch circuit which stands as a legendary home of British motorsport.

(Image credit to www.kentoline.co.uk)

The first ever race on the Brands Hatch circuit took place in 1926 between cyclists and cross-country runners over 6.4km. Following this, motorcyclists were using the circuit as a ¾ mile anti-clockwise track in the valley. In the 1930s Brands Hatch continued to operate with a first meeting between four of the local motorcycling clubs (Bermondsey, Owls, Sidcup and West Kingsdown) taking place in 1932. However, during the Second World War, Brands Hatch was used as a military vehicle park and became subject to some bombing raids. In 1950, the track was tarmacked and this is what saw Brands Hatch become a motor racing venue as well as the opening meeting hosted on 16th April 1950.

Following this, the Half-Litre Car Club had organised the first race for the 500cc Formula 3 - the first race took place 16th April 1950 with approximately 7,500 spectators. Furthermore, the Maidstone and Mid-Kent Motor Club invited a number of sports car drivers to test the circuit. Before the circuit was tarmacked, it was 1.21 km (0.75 mi) in length and once tarmacked was lengthened to 1.609 km (1.000 mi) and had run anticlockwise. When the sports car driver tested the circuit on 5th November 1950, they had run the circuit clockwise.

In 1953, the introduction of raised spectator protection barriers was seen as well as the establishment of the Universal Motor Racing Club which played a part in the further expansion of the track - including the addition of Druids Bend by lengthening the circuit and the addition of a pit lane and spectator banks. The racing direction was reversed clockwise and resulted in the creation of Paddock Hill Bend and at the bottom of this bend a ¼ mile extension was added taking drivers to the other side of the valley to a right-hand hairpin - this was called Druids Hill Bend.  Furthermore, this new section had rejoined the old track at another corner called ‘Bottom Bend’. This allowed the circuit to be lengthened to 1.996 km (1.240 mi).

(Image credit to flickr.com)

For the 1956 season, a telephone system was installed which linked race control, the grandstand and the marshals’ post. During this time a modern hospital with an operating theatre was opened at the circuit. In January 1960, the Kent County Council gave planning permission for further extension of the circuit which doubled the length and offered the choice of a short or long circuit - the new length of the track was 4.265 km (2.650 miles). This extension allowed for the creation of: Pilgrims Drop, Hawthorn Hill, Hawthorn, Portobello Straight, Westfield, Dingle Dell, Dingle Dell Corner and Stirlings. Furthermore, this allowed for Britain to have a Grand Prix within 20 miles of London for the first ever time. The British Grand Prix came to the Brands Hatch circuit in 1964 and was shared with Silverstone in alternate years up until 1986. The 1964 season was also one of the busiest for Brands Hatch at this point in time. With the British Grand Prix being hosted at Brands Hatch every other year, they decided to promote a non-championship Formula One race that was known as Race of Champions which was sponsored by The Daily Mail.

Motor racing has always been dangerous and there had been a few fatalities at Brands Hatch during the 1960s but in October 1971, the season drew to a close following the death of major Formula 1 driver Jo Siffert during an accident in the Rothmans World Championship Victory Race. Following this accident, it was agreed that a three-year programme of major safety modifications around the track would commence prior to the start of the 1972 season.

Some of the safety work led to a slight shortening of the track to 4.207 km (2.614 mi) after a realignment to Paddock Bend. At this point in time there were also some name changes, Pilgrims became Hailwood Hill, Bottom Bend became Graham Hill Bend, Bottom Straight became Cooper Straight and the Top Straight became what is known as Brabham Straight.

In 1980, the Brands Hatch circuit did not see a Race of Champions as the Formula One calendar was so full that teams couldn’t afford a week to run in a non-championship race. Additionally, during this year a piece of motor racing history was written when Desiré Wilson became the first woman to win a Formula One race.

Over 20 years later in 2003, the Dingle Dell chicane was removed and the corner was renamed after Barry Sheene. Now Brands Hatch hosts a myriad of events - from single-seaters to motorcycle races and historic cars.

Article written by Ria Wiktor ©️Ria Wiktor 2026