Earlier this year, the opportunity to drive one of the UK's iconic race tracks was offered to me.
For over 100 years, racing has taken place on the site of Brands Hatch.
Originally starting with cyclists in the 1926's, while on a tour, Ron Argent and group of cyclists stopped by a field as they saw bowl shaped contours. The field belonged to the Brands Hatch Farm and the farmer gave Ron and his friends permission to use the field to practice cycling on.
This would soon become a go to spot for cyclists in the London area at weekends to such an extent, a disused army hut was turned into a café.
The first proper race happened in 1926 between a group of cyclists and cross country runners. The runners won due them having the Australian world Champion Jack Hoobin with them.
They used dirt roads carved out by farm machinery.
By 1932, motorcycle grass track racing started, the course was laid out with a wooden scoring and timing shack to provide race control.
In 1947, the BBC made UK broadcasting history and televised a grass track race.
Between 1949 and 1950, £17,000 (roughly £505,000 in todays money) was put into converting Brands Hatch into an asphalt track. The track resembled the Indy circuit but without the Druids loop and they raced anticlockwise.
On April 16th 1950 saw the first 500cc race which was won by Don Parker.
By the end of 1950 five 500cc race meetings were held, during the June event, Stirling Moss won all five races and set a new lap record.
In 1954, the Druids loop, the pits and spectator banking were added and the racing changed to clockwise for a better flow of racing.
In 1960, the Grand Prix loop was added and in June the Silver City Trophy, a non championship race of Formula One cars would christen the newly completed circuit.
Entries from Ferrari, Cooper BRM and Lotus were boosted by several independent entries.
Jack Brabham would go on to win this race.
Over the years changes to the buildings and refinements to the track have been made and the list of drivers and cars to grace the circuit are huge.
Now it would be my turn to have a go at this iconic track on the Indy Circuit.
After I arrive at Brands Hatch, I walk to the pits to find the sign on and to bump into Tom (Owner of Car Chase Heroes and racer of GT Cars), we have a quick chat and I decide to spice the day up a bit but more on that later.
After my sighting laps, I make my way to my first drive of the day.
My first car of the day would be a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano.
This car comes equipped with a 6 litre V12 engine that develops 612 bhp with a 6 speed F1 Superfast paddle shift gearbox. It does 0-60 in 3.4 seconds and will reach a top speed of 205 mph. In order to Slow this car down, it comes equipped with Brembo Carbon Ceramic brakes.
I'm rather looking forward to this.
Inside the car is also stunning, Once inside, I get comfy and strap in.
Insert the key to turn the 599's power on, put your foot on the break and press the engine start button on the steering wheel to start the car.
The V12 engine barks into life and settles into idle quickly. A quick rev soon reminds you of the power at your feet.
Pull the right hand paddle to go into first gear, ease off the break and onto the accelerator and you
move off.
As you head towards the pit lane exit you have to show your pass and then you head onto the track.
Leaving the pits you come out at Paddock Hill Bend, you start build up speed and when you hit the bottom of the Hailwoods Hill, you leave your stomach behind as you head straight back up the hill towards Druids corner. Breaking and working your way down the gearbox, hit the apex round the corner then build up speed towards and downhill towards Graham Hill Bend. Once through there its back on the power down the Cooper Straight with the V12 screaming underneath me. Breaking before Surtees, then building up the speed gently through McLaren, Clearways and the Clark Curve before unleashing the power on the Brabham Straight
As I drive around the track, the more confident I become in driving it. The 599 handles beautifully and the car has plenty of power to shout about. The lights on top of the steering wheel guide you when to change gear and the brakes as you would expect on this work very well.
All too soon it was time to pull into the pits and hand the car back. I have really enjoyed the car and the track is incredible.
This would be the start of an amazing day.
Part 2 of this will follow soon.
Now, if you have read this far, Car Chase Heroes need your help.
5 of their cars have been stolen from the Norfolk area, below is a photo of their Facebook post. If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of these cars, please contact Car Chase Heroes or the police.
For further information about Car Chase Heroes, please visit
For further information about Brands Hatch, please visit
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