1st June, 2004
Brands Hatch circuit has paid tribute to one of the greatest names in British
motoring and motorsport history by rededicating its main pedestrian
thoroughfare, Colin Chapman Way.
Originally named after the late-founder of Lotus Engineering and multiple
Formula 1 Championship-winning boss in the mid-80s, the commemorative sign was
unfortunately lost several years later.
As the man responsible for high performance sports cars like the Elan, Elite
and Seven, Chapman was also an innovating force on the Grand Prix circuit. His
driver’s, including Mario Andretti and Jim Clark, won the World Crown no less
than seven times between 1960 and 1978.
The restoration of Colin Chapman Way follows a request by his son Clive to
new circuit owner, MotorSport Vision. Chapman explained: "I spoke several times
with the circuit’s previous owners about rededicating the road, and was very
pleased when Jonathan Palmer agreed."
"I was always very proud that it was about the first thing that people see
when they come in through the circuit gates. It’s nice to think that people will
once again know that this road is Colin Chapman Way."
He added: "I still think the road is very aptly named – it’s a straight and
narrow road, which is very much what my father believed in staying on."
The rededication took place during a display of Classic Team Lotus’s most
famous Formula One cars of yesteryear at the famous Kent circuit.
Damon Hill, son of another racing legend Graham Hill, drove the Lotus 49B in
which his father won the 1968 F1 World Championship, while the car in which
Ayrton Senna won his first Grand Prix was also on track.