On March 1st at Brooklands Museum, we started this month with a brilliant member exclusive visit, on the site of the world’s first purpose-built race circuit and original home of the British Grand Prix. The site’s rich heritage even extends beyond being a crucible of British and world motorsport to being a hub of innovation for the aviation industry after having served as a World War II airbase.  

During this unique visit, we hosted a panel session titled ‘Pride in Motorsport: A Shifting Landscape’ as part of the Stories Uncovered project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Racing Pride Ambassador Matt Bishop, Racing Pride Community Champion Maia (from @ManiaOnboard), and Brooklands Museum’s Beatrice Meecham, hosted by our CEO Richard Morris.

Together, they delved into LGBTQ+ stories in motorsport, considered what it meant to be ‘out’ in different eras as well as the challenges faced from legal barriers, to the AIDS crisis, to very present challenges. The panelists drew on their first hand stories, spanning F1 and the broader world of motorsport.

One key takeaway? The LGBTQ+ community has always been part of motorsport. It has faced various challenges over time and, while a lot of progress certainly has been made in different ways, with the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community and of allyship having transformed in recent years, it faces some renewed challenges at present. As in the past, the important things are both for allies to speak up actively and for LGBTQ+ people to come together as a supportive community.

As well as the panel and some friendly networking over coffee and cake, our members had the opportunity to explore the Museum’s treasures from early racing cars like the famous Napier Railton – which lapped Brooklands at a speed of 143.44 mph in 1935! – through to the Grand Prix collection featuring a range of F1 cars, the McLaren F1 simulator and McLaren: Driven by Design exhibition, the Vickers Wellington bomber, and even Concorde. Thank you to Racing Pride’s Pauline McFerran and Zara Ford as well as Sophie Hodby and the team at the Museum for coordinating the event.

We’re excited to be able to offer such events to our members free of charge, and to have livestreamed the panel online for our members around the world to enjoy.