Thousands of people descended on Bourne today to see two of British motor racing’s most famous names drive classic cars through the town as part of a celebratory event.
The streets of the town were lined with onlookers for BRM Day which celebrated 50 years since the Formula 1 World Championship was won by the Bourne-based British Racing Motors, known as BRM.
The day’s centrepiece was a classic car rally through the town’s streets featuring former world champion drivers Sir Jackie Stewart and Damon Hill.
Sir Jackie drove a BRM P261 racing car at the event, appearing alongside former World champion Damon Hill, whose father Graham was the first British driver in a British car to win the World Championship in 1962.
The cars paraded around the town at 30-second intervals and the starting grid was set up to resemble that of 1962 Grand Prix race.
There was also live music from the 1960’s for the crowds to enjoy as well as talks and displays on the BRM classic cars.
Crowds cheered as the drivers drove through the towns with the streets soon filled with engine smoke and the sound of revving motors.
Peter Hughes (69) from Bourne, said: “I have lived here for 20 years and never seen anything like it.
“There must be thousands of people lining the streets, it’s a really spectacular event.
“Jackie Stewart and Damon Hill are both heroes of mine, so to see them in the flesh was very special.”
Sally Morris (45) who had travelled from Leicester to see the event added: “It’s been a great day out.
“It’s not every day you see classic cars from another era driving past you, it’s a one-off occasion.”
Liam Potter (19) from Spalding added: “The cars look stunning, it’s quite surreal seeing so many old fashioned cars.
“It’s been a great day out. There are people of all ages here having fun and getting involved.”
Speaking before the event, BRM Day’s press officer Carol Corliss said: “It really should be a fantastic day and we are hoping lots of people from Bourne, Stamford and the surrounding areas will come out to enjoy it.
“Hopefully the weather will be kind to us - I think that will definitely set the fans and the non-fans apart if it is raining.
“The last one we had was very good for Bourne and hopefully this one should be as well. It has been a fantastic and historical year and hopefully this will top it off.”
BRM day committee member Anthony Delaine-Smith said: “This will be a day to remember in Bourne and it is unlikely we will ever have something on this scale taking place again.
“It is a community event, that has been a big thing all the way through it, and we are so happy to see so many people getting involved with it.”
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