BRM history

Headed by Mays' friend and partner from the ERA days Peter Berthon, a team of 6 senior designers from the motor industry were recruited and a drawing office set up in the Old Maltings building on Spalding Road behind Eastgate House which was adjacent to the ERA factory which was sold in 1939.

In a bid to fulfil his dream Mays, bolstered in part by his pre-war racing record, formed the British Motor Racing Research Trust in 1946 which was a conglomerate of various companies that he had persuaded to agree to back his project.

He persuaded the great industrialists and engineers of the time to support his vision and The British Motor Racing Research Trust was established in 1947 to promote, finance and develop BRM.

BRM kicked things off with their first Formula One car in 1949.

With the countdown on to a scheduled gala appearance at the BRDC International Trophy at Silverstone in August 1950, Berthon was now living in the control tower at Folkingham airfield.

As alluded to earlier, Rolls Royce engineer Tony Rudd had arrived at BRM in 1951 on secondment from the British automotive giant to assist with the development of the V16 engine and never went back.

In September 1952, Rubery Owen assumed control, and the grand adventure could really begin.

Despite failing in its first outing whilst still in development, when on song, such as with Fangio at Albi in 1953, nothing could live with it/nothing could compete.

The P25 was to herald a change in BRM’s fortunes with Jo Bonnier winning their first Grand Prix at Zandvoort in 1959.

Owen saw the potential in Rudd and appointed him chief development engineer in 1960.

These changes paved the way for a new engine to be built in 1961, designated the P56 V8 and designed by Peter Berthon and Aubrey Woods.

1962 was the definitive year and pinnacle of BRM’s history.Graham Hill steered his P57 ‘Old Faithful’ V8 to win the World Drivers’ Championship and secured the World Constructors Title for BRM. Thus, finally realising Raymond Mays’ vision and dream announced at Folkingham Airfield 13 years earlier.

In 1964, the beautiful P261 became BRM’s most successful car before the advent of the H16 and the powerful V12s, including the P153 and Lauda’s distinctive Marlboro BRM P160.

1965 saw the introduction of the iconic P261, the first Formula One drive for another future world champion Jackie Stewart and BRM innovate with a collaboration Rover to produce the Gas Turbine le Mans car.

Jackie becomes 1966 Tasman Series Champion.

John Surtees makes his BRM debut in 1969.

In 1970-71 BRM built and entered 8.0-litre prototype sports cars for the North American Can-Am series and European Interseria series.

Peter Gethin's 1971 win in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza was the fastest Grand Prix of the 20th Century at an average speed of 151mph.

Copley Motorcars was established by Stu Carpenter in 1995.

Precision engineers and manufacturers of bespoke components produced spares for all types of BRMs was founded and run by former mechanic John Sismey until his retirement in 2014.