Mercedes-Benz World and Brooklands Museum will jointly organise the two day Festival, taking place over 28th-29th June, which will establish ‘The Double Twelve’ as a unique Concours D’Elegance with a strong action content. Already a wealth of entries has been received from the owners of both pre and post-War thoroughbred cars looking to secure a trophy at the inaugural event.

The unique line-up of cars will compete over the weekend in a variety of categories including Mille Miglia/RAC Rally Class, post-War grand Touring class and the post-War Spirit of Brooklands class. Vehicles currently scheduled to appear include:

• Aston Martin DB4 GT4 Zagato
• Austin Healey Sprites “Frogeye”
• Lagonda M45 Rapide
• Post war Talbot-Lago
• Bentley R type Continental
• Alfa Romeo 6c1750
• Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Alpine Eagle
• Sunbeam 3 litre twin cams
• Mercedes-Benz SSK
• Low Chassis Invicta
• Ferrari 250 lusso
• Jaguar XK120 lightweight
• Bizzarini GT

Competitors will perform a series of driving tests and have their vehicles judged against the exacting criteria of a Concours D’Elegance by a select panel of experts. The tests will take place in thrilling and evocative environments such as the Members’ Banking and the notorious Test Hill of the original Brooklands circuit, as well as on the modern handling circuits at Mercedes-Benz World.

Points awarded for both concours and test performances will be added to give an overall score, ensuring that the overall winner will be the best combination of driver and top-class vehicle.

Past will also meet present as Formula 1 drivers Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen drive the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 car at intervals during the weekend. Sir Stirling Moss will also be in attendance during the Festival and is expected to please the crowds by returning to the tracks with a historic competition car.

The Festival is guaranteed to be an action-packed weekend of entertainment, with performances from the Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows Display Team and a Blue Eagles Helicopter Display. The weekend is set to appeal to everyone from motoring and motor sport enthusiasts through to families looking for a special day out.

About Brooklands Double Twelve

The Brooklands Double Twelve, first run in 1929, was the JCC’s imaginative solution to the problem of running a 24-hour race at Brooklands. Overnight racing had been banned at Brooklands shortly after the course opened in 1907 when SF Edge drove non-stop for 24 hours, setting a world record but earning the wrath of local residents. In the Double Twelve, cars ran for two 12-hour stints from 8am to 8pm and were locked away overnight in secure garages so they could not be worked on during the resting period.

JCC’s Members’ Rally

The JCC’s Members’ Rally in the 1930s featured complex driving tests laid out on various parts of the Brooklands circuit and also included a half-mile high-speed run on the banking against a target time. Almost 150 cars, driven by a mix of notable Brooklands drivers and amateurs, took part in the last one in 1939.

Mercedes-Benz World and Brooklands Museum

Mercedes-Benz World is a brand experience centre featuring simulator rides, interactive challenges, enthralling exhibits and most excitingly 2.5 kilometres of handling circuits and a 10 acre off-road terrain course.

You can begin your tour in the theatre, accelerating from the 'birth' of the car to the latest innovations in eight eye-opening minutes. After that, you can set your own pace as you explore the glorious past and present of Mercedes-Benz. Automotive legends like the Patent Motor Wagen and the Gullwing are on display, and you’re free to see, touch and sit inside more than 100 Mercedes-Benz models at your leisure.

If you want to discover what it’s like to be a Mercedes-Benz on its journey of development, you can find out at ‘Build’ before pulling over for lunch in the stylish Gullwing Restaurant or enjoying a relaxing pit stop in Café 1886.

No visit to Mercedes-Benz World is complete without booking a sensational driving experience; whether for adults, kids or the whole family.

Mercedes-Benz World is open every day from 10am to 6pm, seven days a week and admission is free.

Next to (and sharing its entrance with) Mercedes-Benz World is Brooklands Museum, the cradle of British motor racing and aviation. Founded in 1987, the independent Museum is open every day.

Its 30-acre site still features many of the original buildings including the 1907 motor-racing Clubhouse, the 1-in-4 Test Hill and the steepest part of the Members’ Banking, re-opened to the public in 1991.