With little doubt, we 944 owners are generally good at spotting "value for money", our choice of Porsche being obvious testament to this. Probably, little will inspire a 944 owner more than "something for free" - this aside thrashing the parts off any other car that drives on God's earth, obviously, or perhaps sex or even free sex.

So it was that on Sunday 24^th November 2002, galvanized by an offer of "Free Entry to Brooklands Museum" posted on the titanic news group, a veritable fleet of 944s arrived at the reputed home of British Motor sport. Unfortunately the instigator of this adventure, Mr. Robert (Robbie) Bailey was sans 944, same being away for some major surgery. None the less, we still numbered eleven 944s, this including a gentleman from Thames Valley TIPEC with a penchant for wearing his cap back to front - obviously one doesn't have such members in PCGB.

After the obligatory half hour of car park tyre kicking, we split up to find what ever bargains could be had in the Museum shop and restaurant, with a view to reconvening at 14:00hrs in order to get a group photo on the remaining section of the hallowed banked circuit.  Tentative prior arrangement had been made with Brooklands so as to allow this photo and comment returned that there would be a fee involved. Following the consideration of £5 per car, we lined up under the Brooklands Members Bridge. Apparently, Jaguar, Bentley and others are charged in excess of £100 for this privilege, so we had another bargain - this on top of free entry to the museum remember.

Maybe it was due to the somber weather, or stories of the ghosts of many unfortunate racing drivers who had lost their lives on the imposing Brooklands banking, there was a distinct air of respect among the gathering (inverted head gear aside). Inevitably there were those (me) who attempted to park further up the bank, and consequently, at more acute an angle, than anyone else.

Whilst parking up the bank seems like a good idea at the time, subsequent exit from the car to take photos becomes almost impossible. In such a situation, the up hill door is too heavy to open and the down hill door opens with such velocity it runs the risk of peeling the front wing off completely.  Down hill exit and re-entry was deemed the most appropriate, with the center consol providing a good toehold. Harnesses and ropes were not employed in this instance, but any further up the bank would have made such equipment mandatory.  When in the car one is convinced you are on the point of rolling onto the roof, which is most unnerving. Subsequent tests, with model 944, ramps and sheets of wet and dry to aid friction, indicate the car would slide down the bank before it would roll which is obvious really when you consider the effect of lateral G when cornering hard.  This is all very good in theory, but does little to stop your leg shaking when you are in the car.

Following sundry photos under the Members Bridge, we then turned the cars around in order to take photos looking down on the cars from on the bridge itself. Theoretically the cars were then facing the wrong way, as races on the big circuit at Brooklands were run anti-clock wise. Strangely, banked oval races in America are also run anti clockwise, where as normal circuits in America, and as we have here (Brands Hatch, Silverstone etc), are run clockwise. I wonder why this is?

As the light fast faded and the rain started again, there followed a few hurried "lights on" shots before we all went our separate ways.

It is strange, in retrospect, that none of us actually drove along the circuit, aside positioning the cars for the photos. There was no bravado, and no hooligan attempts to recreate great moments of yesteryear. No wheel spinning, aside accidental slipping on the wet moss covered banking, no macho revving of engines or any other "boys with their toys" type behavior. Whether this was due to the presence of our guide, or the perceived presence of the lost souls of those who died on the banking, I wouldn't like to say. I certainly felt the hairs on the back of my neck rise on several occasions, and whilst happy to stand on the bank in the approaching gloom and rain, with a dozen 944 owners, I not sure I'd want to be there by myself.

John Sims  30/11/02

This article was published in Porsche Post March 2003