Brooklands Museum & Ace Cafe London Link Up – To Celebrate 75 Years of History (Sunday 23rd June 2013)
1938 was a special year in so many ways for motorcyclists: at Brooklands, the world’s first purpose built motor racing track and home of the now legendary “Gold Star” (awarded for achieving sustained speeds of at least 100mph, the ton!), all-time speed records were set and, on London’s North Circular Road, a now iconic cafe opened its doors for the first time. Today, 75 years later, BrooklandsMuseum and Ace Cafe London are coming together at the historic Surrey venue to organise a special “Ton-Up Day” of action and entertainment, a collaboration and celebration of motorcycles and the pursuit of speed.
Giving this event a unique flavour, Brooklands Museum are assembling some of the most significant pre-War and post-War racing machines and the Ace is inviting the attendance of owners of cafe racers and bikes that evoke the spirit of the “Ton-Up Boys” (and girls!) and of the Rockers of the 1950s and ‘60s. Motorcycle enthusiasts, no matter what they ride or from what era, all are welcome to come and enjoy the spectacle.
The challenging Test Hill and a section of the famous Brooklands banking will be especially opened for action, morning and afternoon. There will be free screenings of 1960s motorcycle films such as “The Leather Boys”, 2013 being the 50th anniversary of its release. Dedicated parking areas for motorcycle clubs, trade stands and displays, and special Ace Brooklands merchandise which, together with a bar and music, will all add to this very special occasion.
There will be special displays to highlight the great events of 1938. On 12th March of that year, Eric Fernihough riding a 996cc supercharged Brough-Superior attained the fastest-ever straight line speed recorded on the Brooklands track when he touched 158mph during a flying kilometre run. And on the 8th October, Ivan Wicksteed set the all-time Brooklands Outer-Circuit lap record for a 500cc motorcycle when he rode a supercharged Triumph Speed Twin at 118.02 mph.
From the moment that it opened in 1938, the Ace was open 24 hours a day – it soon became popular with motorcyclists! In the 1950s and ‘60s the Ace attracted a new young generation of riders who, with their sports machines and much cherished cafe racers which, with their love of speed, soon gave rise to them becoming known as the “Ton Up Boys” and subsequently, with the advent of rock n’ roll, as the Rockers! Since fully reopening the original premises in 2001, Ace Cafe London has firmly established itself as a pre-eminent destination for all who have a passion for the sights, sound and smells of the thrills that are to be found with speed.
The Brooklands Ton-Up Day in association with Ace Cafe London takes place on Sunday 23rd June at Brooklands Museum, Brooklands Road, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 0QN.
The event runs from 10:00am to 5:00pm (Gates open at 8:00am for exhibitors and traders).
The Brooklands Burn Up Ride-Out departs 9.30am Sunday 23rd June from the Ace.
Prices at Brooklands are:
Adults, £10; Motorcycle Rider and Pillion £15; Seniors and students, £9; Children aged 5 -16, £5.50; Families, (2 adults & 3 children), £27.
For further details see www.brooklandsmuseum.com or www.ace-cafe-london.com.
