The British Motor Cycle Racing Club (BMCRC) was founded in 1909. On this day in that year, they held their first race at Brooklands in Surrey, England.
There were two main races, both handicaps, and preliminary races to decide the handicap allowances. The first was a two-lapper with a first prize of twenty shillings and the second, a hill climb using the test hill with the competitors riding in pairs.
Attendence to begin with was mostly knowledgeable enthusiasts but as speed and reliability rose, the excitement of the new sport started to bring in bigger crowds.
Two motorcycle events were held on the Track during the First World War, both organised by the BMCRC for men serving in the Armed Forces. When the track reopened after the First World War, Brooklands witnessed the golden age of motorcycling when the British racing motorcycle was the best and fastest in the world. Brooklands was the home of so many motorcycle riders. Workshops sprung up around the paddock with names of men and machines painted on the doors. Eric Fernihough had a garage by the perimeter of the track on the Byfleet Road.
Many epic motorcycle record breaking attempts took place at Brooklands during the 1930s. Eric Fernihough raised the Brooklands lap record to 123.58 mph in 1935 with his Brough Superior, topped in 1939 by Noel Pope at 124.51 mph.