Mercedes W125 set to return at Brooklands Centenary
The mighty Mercedes W125 - the ultimate pre-war Grand Prix car - is to break cover this weekend after undergoing a major restoration.
The car - piloted to GP victories by Rudolf Caracciola and Manfred Von Brauchitsch - returns to action at the June 16-17 Brooklands Centenary Festival in the hands of John Surtees.
Surtees - one of an elite group of drivers entrusted with the responsibility of demonstrating the Mercedes Benz Museum's priceless GP cars - last drove the 650bhp, 5.6 litre, V8 machine at Goodwood in 1999, its last appearance before undergoing its major rebuild.
 "The car was a masterpiece of engineering that enabled the German team to dominate international motor racing in 1937," says Surtees. "I'm really looking forward to reacquainting myself with it.
"It replaced the 3.3 litre Type W25, and was a runaway success. In its day it was the most powerful GP car around, capable of producing wheelspin in each of its four gears."
The awesome 190mph Silver Arrow has to be heard as well as seen, the multiple World Champion stresses.
"I would advise anyone interested in pre or post war racing to make a beeline for Brooklands this weekend to witness the reappearance of the W125 alone," Surtees adds. "It's a sight to behold. But there'll be many, many more thrilling sights and sounds for motor racing and aviation enthusiasts to soak up that will make the trip to Brooklands worthwhile.
"Added to which, it's a marvellous opportunity to see what Mercedes Benz has done to preserve, for generations to come, the remains of the world's first banked racetrack."
Brooklands - which played a major role in the development of both the motor sport and aviation industries in the UK - was in danger of being redeveloped for housing until Mercedes Benz registered its interest in the historic 155-acre site six years ago.
Instead of 5,000 new houses, the old aerodrome and racing track are now home to Mercedes Benz World, a futuristic car sales, demonstration and leisure facility which comprises an exhibition hall, restaurant, hotel and handling track.
The car manufacturer's sensitive redevelopment of the site has preserved the remains of the famous Brooklands banking and incorporated part of the remaining Campbell circuit in its own test track, forming a new course at the site for the first time since 1939.
The development also retains the old Brooklands Museum and incorporates many other visitor attractions.
"What Mercedes has done there is fantastic and is worth a visit in its own right," said Surtees. "But it's the centenary festival itself which warrants the attention on this occasion."
The festival will give visitors the chance to re-live the original 1907 opening cavalcade which will be re-enacted on parts of the original track as well as witness the wonderful racing cars and motorcycles of yesteryear...back where they first competed.
Out on track with the legendary Silver Arrows will be a host of other historic machinery including John Cobb's record-breaking Napier-Railton plus the bang up-to-date 2007 McLaren Mercedes MP4-22 which Lewis Hamilton sensationally steered to his first GP win at Montreal over the weekend.
Other attractions include fly-pasts by Brooklands aircraft, a trade village, a wall of death and funfair. For tickets, call 0870 850 6639.
11 June 2007
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