Brooklands was the brainchild of a wealthy landowner, Hugh Fortesque Locke-King who decided during a European tour in 1906 that Britain had to have its own motor testing track if it's fledgling car industry was to develop and prosper in competition with the Europeans. Brooklands took its name from the 12th century lord of the manor, Robert del Brok. In the sixteenth century Henry VIII used it as a hunting ground, and the 700 acres that made up Brooklands Farm and Byfleet Park Farm were owned, during the 19th century, by the Duke of York. The land was sold in 1830 to Peter King the 7th Baron of Ockham, and his son Hugh Locke-King was the man who was to build Brooklands. During excavations which took place at the time Brooklands was being developed 1,600 year old Roman coins and urns were unearthed, thus proving that the Romans had indeed formed a settlement at the site. On Monday June 17th 1907 the track was officially opened. The History of Brooklands is spiced with many famous names of both cars and drivers. Men and women like Prince BIRA of Siam, Count Louis Zborowski who built the Chitty Chitty Bang Bangs and the Anglo-Americans Henry Seagrave and Whitney Straight. Eleven days after the circuit opened, it played host to the world's first 24 hour motor event, with Selwyn Edge leading three specially converted Napier cars around the circuit. Brooklands also became one of Britain's first airfields, which in 1908 saw the first flight of an English aircraft by an English pilot - Alliott Verdon-Roe. In February 1912, Thomas Sopwith opened his Sopwith School of Flying at Brooklands, while Grand Prix motor racing was established at Brooklands in 1926 by Henry Segrave. In World War two the site was used for military aircraft production, which continued after the war when it was sold to Vickers-Armstrongs in 1946. The Vickers factory became part of the new British Aircraft Corporation in 1960 and went on to design and build the BAC TSR2, One-Eleven and Concorde. The factory finally closed in 1988-89 when the site became home to the Brooklands Museum, which is dedicated to motoring and aviation heritage.

The Brooklands Museum was a sight to behold, and certainly not what I expected. From the restored Wellington aircraft in the main hangar bay to the Bluebird land speed motor car, and not to mention Concorde and the assortment of other vehicles from throughout history - it was indeed a complete history of motoring and aviation. We set up base in the Pavilion which would be the main focus or our vigils during the second part of the investigation. After a short tour of the various museum exhibits and a walk around what remains of the old race track we set about our first vigil in the large aircraft hanger. This vigil took place during dusk, so there was plenty of natural light and the atmosphere of the hangar did not really provide much anticipation. From speaking to one of the museum guides it was also apparent that no recorded activity had ever taken place in this area, or at least not that he was aware of. He was also a paranormal enthusiast, so I took his word and simply spent the time admiring the various aircraft.

Our second vigil certainly took things up a notch as we made our way to the underground passageways beneath the race track, which would have been used for spectators as an entranceway when the track was still in use. It was certainly dark and disorientating, and we split up into smaller groups to cover the entire area. This location was made up of three adjoining tunnels each of which was connected to the others by smaller passages along each section. We attempted to connect with any possible energies by holding hands in a circle and asking out, but despite the claustrophobia and darkness the vigil was quiet and uneventful.

After a short break we moved back to the race track to investigate the two Anderson shelters which were situated at the side of the track. Again things were pretty uneventful, although I would say that for the first time I did feel less comfortable. This was probably due to the other group having suggested experiencing something in the shelters just prior to us beginning our vigil. In truth though nothing untoward occurred and the night was proving to be yet another frustrating one, at least from the perspective of any paranormal activity.

The remaining vigils of the night took place in the main pavilion building. We spent time in the ballroom and bar area where we attempted some glass divination. It did appear that we made contact with a former female racing driver who was suggesting being frustrated at the lack of appreciation for her successes. Marc, who had put aside his medium duties for the night did believe that we were indeed making contact with her, and gave some interesting insights into her background as a female driver and her hopes for equal recognition. If truth be known apart from one instance where the motion sensors in the ballroom were accidentally triggered the night offered up no surprises or glimpses of the supernatural. This does not mean to say that Brooklands is not potentially haunted, but from my many years experience I have to admit that apart from the incredible exhibits which surrounded us throughout the night there was little else to spark my interest.