Racing Pride continued our collaboration with Brooklands Museum to deliver two exciting events in conjunction with International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 May.

On Friday, we hosted the second edition of Accelerate Pride, which is our flagship industry event for LGBTQ+ professionals and allies working in motorsport, automotive, and associated industries, bringing together our industry partners, expert speakers, and representatives of community groups.

After an opening keynote from Alex Patterson (CEO of Brooklands Museum) and Richard Morris (CEO of Racing Pride) attendees were able to enjoy panels covering topics such as structuring diversity and inclusion networks; the connection between authenticity, mental wellbeing and performance; LGBTQ+ storytelling; managing different cultures during team travel; inclusive fan engagement; and how motorsport can cultivate welcoming environments for people of all genders.

Speakers’ expertise ranged from Formula 1 engineering to neuroscience, law, HR, marketing and communications, business, heritage, journalism, automotive production settings, student experiences, and grassroots to international motorsport outside of Formula 1.

Networking opportunities throughout the day along with breakout sessions to bring together delegates working in the same areas facilitated a productive and empowering occasion for all involved. Attendees particularly celebrated the honest, open atmosphere throughout the event.

On Saturday, we continued with this positive energy and hosted the inaugural Motor Proud – a first of its kind event championing LGBTQ+ inclusion at the site of the world’s oldest purpose built motor racing circuit.  This event formed part of the programming for the Brooklands Stories Uncovered project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Racing Pride members, Ambassadors and Community Champions celebrated IDAHOBIT with members of the public, industry partners, fellow LGBTQ+ groups, and supporters from across motorsport and automotive, enjoying impressive motoring displays and celebrating the diversity of motorsport’s past, present and future. 

Attendees enjoyed live vehicle demonstrations including the impressive 1933 Napier-Railton and 1904 Siddeley ‘Daisy’. There were plenty of opportunities to see incredible vehicles up close, with the paddock featuring an Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team show car.  From a British Hillclimb Championship car piloted by Alex and Debbie Summers, to a KZ kart demonstration by Ami Jerger of AJ Racing, all the way through to Formula 1 machinery, luxury cars from Genesis and Bentley, sports cars from Alpine, supercars, and classics, it was an immersive automotive experience!

During the event, visitors could meet Jessica Hawkins and hear from Racing Pride Ambassadors and Community Champions, including Charlie Martin, Matt Bishop, Kerrie Sparling, Manon & Maia, Chloe Farkas, Katie Flight, and Georgia Rae. Tours highlighting Brooklands’ LGBTQ+ history were interspersed with fantastic performances from the Surrey Rainbow choir, Don1 and Professor Maxim & Mercury, while high profile influencers such as Emma Rose Collingridge, Olivia Hartley, Skye Upshall, and Brendon Blake turned out to show their support. 

Experts from Brooklands Museum also delivered storytelling, object handling, and family crafts sessions throughout the day, highlighting the rich contributions of LGBTQ+ people to motoring history. 

We’re hugely grateful to the Brooklands team for their enthusiasm and support in hosting and delivering Accelerate Pride and Motor Proud. Working together with their team has allowed us to facilitate fantastic events for our members and the community at large.