Brooklands 1000 Miles Race Poster – Crosby 1932 – Vintage Car Poster
Our reproduction Brooklands 1000 Miles Race Poster is a vibrant portal to a defining moment in British motor racing history. This stunning artwork, born from the masterful hand of English automotive illustrator Gordon Crosby, was crafted to herald Britain’s inaugural 1000 Miles Race. Held over two exhilarating days on Friday, June 3rd, and Saturday, June 4th, in 1932, this gruelling event tested both man and machine.
The iconic Brooklands 1000 Miles Race Poster vividly captures a racing car driver, strikingly reminiscent of the legendary Sir Henry ‘Tim’ Birkin, expertly piloting his mighty Bentley Blower around the sweeping, high-banked curves of the historic Brooklands race track.
Brooklands: Birthplace of British Motorsport
Nestled near Weybridge in Surrey, England, Brooklands stands as a monumental testament to human ingenuity and a boundless passion for speed. Spanning 2.6 miles of audacious concrete, it was far more than a mere circuit; it was an aerodrome, a crucible of innovation that embodied the very spirit of speed and adventure. Remarkably, Brooklands wasn’t simply another racetrack; it was the world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit, a pioneering endeavour that would irrevocably shape and influence motorsport history for generations to come.
Opening its hallowed gates to enthusiasts on Friday, June 3rd, 1907, Brooklands rapidly evolved into a vibrant hub of unparalleled excitement and a demanding proving ground for pioneering engineers and fearless drivers alike. The thunderous roar of engines, the intoxicating scent of burning rubber, and the electrifying atmosphere made it an essential pilgrimage site for motor racing enthusiasts from every corner of the globe.
Gordon Crosby’s artistic vision, immortalised in this very Brooklands 1000 Miles Race Poster, perfectly encapsulates the raw thrill, the incredible skill, and the sheer audacity of the racers from that golden era. Through the expert strokes of his brush, he managed to evoke the heart-pounding sensation of speed and the unyielding determination of those who dared to challenge the very limits of technology and human capability on this historic track.
The Thrill of the 1000 Miles Race
As our vintage Brooklands 1000 Miles Race Poster alludes, this epic endurance event was meticulously organised by the Junior Car Club (JCC). The race unfolded over two intense days, from 10 am to 5:30 pm each day, requiring a staggering 400 laps of the challenging Brooklands circuit to cover the 1000-mile distance. Two hundred laps were to be completed on each day.
Cars competed under a handicap system, thoughtfully divided into seven categories based on engine size, from the powerful Class 2 (5000-8000 cc) down to the nimble Class 8 (500-750 cc). While thirty-seven entries were received, only thirty cars ultimately made it to the starting line, including nine Class 8 MG Midgets and a diverse array of Rileys, Crossleys, Amilcars, Talbots, and even a single 7L Mercedes driven by the formidable Captain Sir Malcolm Campbell.
The race commenced promptly at 10 am with the Class 8 MG Midgets, with other classes released at dramatic seven-and-a-half-minute intervals. Tragedy struck early on Lap 28 when Harry Leeson’s MG veered sharply, impacting the parapet of the tunnel leading into the paddock, a stark reminder of the inherent dangers of the sport. Despite this, the race pressed on, a testament to the era’s unyielding spirit. Throughout both days, the pits buzzed with activity – a constant flurry of refuelling, repairs, and driver changes. By the close of the first day, Sutton-Harvey in their Riley led the charge, securing the Rootes Trophy.
A Historic Victory Against the Odds
The race resumed with renewed vigour on Saturday morning. By 11 am, the Talbots of Lewis-Cobb and Saunders-Davies had taken the lead, closely pursued by the Rileys. However, the drama wasn’t over. At 12:30 pm, the leading Sutton-Harvey team suffered clutch trouble, forcing their retirement. The afternoon saw an incredible turn of events.
By 3 o’clock, the Riley driven by the formidable pairing of Mrs. T.H. Wisdom and Miss Joan Richmond had taken the lead, meticulously pursued by the Talbot cars. In a sport largely dominated by men, their triumph was nothing short of sensational. They not only held their nerve but won the 1000-mile victory in an astonishing 12 hours, 23 minutes, and 53 seconds, averaging an impressive 84.41 mph!
News of their groundbreaking victory resonated globally, a truly shocking and inspiring outcome for many, particularly given that only two decades prior, women were effectively banned from racing. While rules had relaxed by the 1920s to allow women in both female-only and mixed races, it wasn’t until 1933 that the RAC granted permission for women to compete on equal terms with men at Brooklands Open meetings.
As a July 1932 Motor Sport magazine article declared, their win was “A landmark in motoring history,” cementing their place in the annals of motor racing. This Brooklands 1000 Miles Race Poster celebrates not just a race, but a pivotal moment of breaking barriers.
