Cyclekarts GB Enthrall Crowds at Brooklands: A Spirited Showing at the 2025 Museum Relived Festival of Motorsport
On a sun-kissed weekend most reminiscent of those halcyon pre-war days, the hallowed grounds of Brooklands once again reverberated with the sound of motorised competition, camaraderie, and cheerful British eccentricity. Among the many delights presented at the Brooklands Museum’s “Relived” Festival of Motorsport was a most splendid exhibition by the gallant fellows (and spirited ladies) of Cyclekarts GB - a gathering which proved a veritable tonic to the modern motoring soul.
Clad in leather helmets, cravats, and some even sporting moustaches, the Cyclekart fraternity descended upon Brooklands with their trademark élan and irrepressible mirth. Though their machines may lack the cubic inches and financial gravitas of a Napier-Railton or Sunbeam Tiger, their presence drew enthusiastic applause from all corners of the paddock, not merely for their engineering ingenuity but for the palpable joy with which they celebrate the spirit of motor-racing’s golden age.
For the uninitiated, a Cyclekart is a modest yet nimble conveyance—built according to strict proportions—reminiscent of racing voiturettes of the 1920’s and 30’s, though powered by humble single-cylinder industrial engines. Yet despite their origins, there is nothing pedestrian about these bespoke creations, each one as unique as the driver who commands it.
A Spirited Programme of Driving Events
The day’s entertainment was by no means confined to static display. Indeed, the Cyclekarts were afforded ample opportunity to show their mettle across a full programme of spirited driving events, much to the delight of the assembled throng. Commencing with display laps along the historic start-finish straight, the participants paraded their machines with a flourish, each pass accompanied by a jolly toot or wave to the cheering crowd. The straight, flanked by the history of Brooklands and echoing ghosts of motoring pioneers, formed the perfect stage for these miniature marvels.
A most entertaining feature of the day was the series of short two cyclekart sprints, where pairs of cyclekarts launched off the line in friendly yet fierce duels to determine who might reach the finish first. While there was no official timing apparatus in place, a diligent and good-natured marshal was on hand to observe and capture the victor of each dash—serving as both adjudicator and cheerleader for these delightful contests.
The excitement swelled during the mass start races, when a field of cyclekarts launched as one in a glorious cacophony of puttering engines and clattering chains. These scenes, evoking the open-grid chaos of a 1930’s Grand Prix, brought tremendous animation to the Finishing Straight and were met with roars of appreciation from the public.
No visit to Brooklands would be complete without a climb of Test Hill, and the Cyclekarts, in fine sporting tradition, took up the challenge. Constructed in 1909, Test Hill is a fearsome gradient indeed: 352 feet in length, divided into three sections with an incline reaching a daunting 1 in 4 at its steepest. In period, this strip of concrete was the definitive trial of a machine’s power, traction, and the driver’s nerve.
The Cyclekarts attacked the climb with gusto, the little engines chugging bravely upward as spectators urged them on. Some ascended with ease; others required a deft touch and a measure of momentum. One or two made dignified retreats—but all earned admiration for their pluck and perseverance.
Of special note was the Best Cyclekart Display, judged with no small measure of care and discernment by the Museum’s esteemed CEO, Mr. Alex Patterson. This singular award took into account not merely the mechanical marvels themselves, but the totality of the display: attire, humour, presentation boards, and overall élan. Mr. Patterson selected five finalists:
Ian Fletcher’s 1936 Austin 7 Twin Cam (7A),
Granville Nixon’s charming 1932 Austin (21) adorned with a new wood-lath tailpiece,
Tim Wheater’s finely turned-out Wragg Austin 7 Special (37),
Ed Powell’s rakish 1926 Delage GP (61),
and Tim Holdsworth’s stately 1936 ERA R6B (69).
After due consideration, the laurels were awarded to Mr. Tim Wheater, whose display, in Mr. Patterson’s words, was “very imaginative and humorous and brought the joy of cyclekarts to life. The presentation of the cyclekart and the quality of the craftsmanship was great.” The award was received to much acclaim and not a few hearty cheers.
Equally coveted was the Spirit of Brooklands Trophy, a prize honouring the cyclekart that best captured the daring innovation and indomitable spirit synonymous with the track’s storied past. This year, the mantle of adjudication fell to none other than Mr. William Medcalf, founder of Vintage Bentley, who approached the task with the keen eye of one well- acquainted with motoring heritage. Mr. Medcalf selected five finalists that, he felt, could have shared a starting grid with the greats of the interwar period: Ian Fletcher’s Austin 7 Twin Cam (7A), his striking 1922 GN Vitesse (22), Tim Wheater’s Wragg Austin Special (37), Max Cliff’s beautifully rendered Alfa Romeo Bisley Special (39), and Terry Sanders’ dramatic 1905 Darracq 200HP replica (200).
The honours were ultimately bestowed upon Mr. Max Cliff, whose Alfa Romeo Bisley Special made an impressive debut at his first Cyclekarts GB event. A fitting winner, whose machine married elegance with bravado in true Brooklands fashion.
Beyond the racing, the paddock was alive with spirited chatter and the click-clack of tea cups. Visitors young and old marvelled at the period attire and mechanical curiosities on display, while the Cyclekarts GB crew proved most generous in allowing children to sit within their cockpits, eyes wide with wonder and perhaps the first twinkling of future speed dreams.
In a modern world too often overrun with the sterile sheen of electric propulsion and corporate soullessness, the Cyclekarts provide a stirring reminder of motor sport’s joyous, oil- stained heart. Their presence at Brooklands was no mere sideshow, but rather a heartfelt homage to an age when men and women raced for the sheer love of it, with little more than a stopwatch, a flat cap, and an unshakable spirit.
One hopes—and indeed, expects—that the Cyclekarts GB troupe shall return next year, to once again ignite the imagination of all who still dream in sepia tones of the roaring 20’s and 30’s. Until then, we salute these cheerful anachronists, whose wheels may be small, but whose hearts are undoubtedly grand.
Before drawing the curtain on this most convivial account, it would be remiss not to extend our warmest thanks and hearty appreciation to Mr. Mark Hastings, the Museum’s redoubtable Events Manager, for his sterling efforts in orchestrating such a splendid gathering. This occasion marked Mr. Hastings’ final event at Brooklands before he departs for new adventures elsewhere. Throughout, he proved not only supremely capable but also a genuine pleasure to work with—gracious, attentive, and ever committed to ensuring that every aspect of the day ran with clockwork precision and good cheer. From all in the
Cyclekarts GB contingent, we extend our gratitude and very best wishes. May the road ahead be smooth and swift, and may our motoring paths cross again ere long.
Motoring is not dead; it merely wears goggles and grins.
Words: By our Special Correspondent for CKGB
Photography
Thanks to the following photographers who kindly let CKGB use their great pictures for our website.
Rob Forest, Marek Nahajski
