Kent’s iconic race Circuit Brands Hatch will mark its 100th year as a destination for competitive sport and motorsport in 2026, and to do this there will be a whole year of activities to celebrate.
To mark ‘A Century of Power’, a full year of commemorative activities is planned, with special demonstrations, displays, guest appearances and more from March through to November.
Brands Hatch dates back to 1926 when the former mushroom field, close to West Kingsdown, was first identified as a suitable sporting location. The natural amphitheatre of what has today evolved into the Indy circuit was initially a host to cyclists and cross-country runners, but motorcycle racers were using the site a short distance from the A20 within just a few years.
Two-wheeled competition rapidly became the main activity, firstly on a grasstrack circuit, before World War II brought things to a halt and the venue became a military facility. Competition returned promptly in the late ‘40s however, with cars joining the offering in tandem with the creation of a new tarmac surface in 1950.
That quite literally paved the route towards the present day, with the track hosting circuit racing in each of the 75 years since. This was firstly on a version of the Indy circuit, before a woodland extension in 1960 to create what became the Grand Prix circuit opened the door to Formula 1. Brands Hatch held 14 British and European Grands Prix in total, with an illustrious list of winners which includes Jim Clark, Jack Brabham, Niki Lauda and Nigel Mansell.
Beyond F1, Brands Hatch was a mainstay of the World Sportscar Championship for many years, whilst the Superbike World Championship events run from 1993 until 2008 remain the stuff of legend. Today, the circuit hosts the best that British motorsport has to offer, with rounds of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship (BSB) and Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) underpinning a fine calendar of national competition on two and four wheels.
The MSV team has thought long and hard about how best to celebrate the remarkable centenary of Brands Hatch. It was clear that there is far too much motorsport content to merely have a single centenary event, so the whole of 2026 will celebrate every aspect of Brands Hatch’s rich history with a whole series of special events, forming our Brands Hatch ‘Century of Power’ programme.
A key part of this will be the circuit’s strongest ever roster of nostalgic race events. This includes an all-new fixture from the esteemed Motor Racing Legends organisation on 19-21 June, which has a reputation for attracting rare cars of special historic significance as part of its race and demonstration line-up.
Other throwbacks include the new-look Touring Car Rewind event, featuring the Classic Touring Car Racing Club, which will shine a spotlight on the countless generations of saloon racing car which have enthralled at Brands Hatch. The Historic Sports Car Club and Masters Historic Racing also retain dates on the full GP circuit, providing visitors with a superb retro selection, with other key fixtures to be announced very soon.
Brands Hatch will stage two rounds each of Bennetts BSB and the BTCC in 2026, including the traditional season finales on the Grand Prix layout. Fittingly, British GT’s final round will also be held on the circuit’s famed Grand Prix configuration next autumn too, ensuring that the three most prestigious prizes in domestic motorsport will all be awarded at Brands Hatch during its centenary year.
Global motorsport will also play a key role, with GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS ensuring that the anniversary year will include a top-flight international sports car series. The circuit will also embrace its reputation for themed family events which introduce motorsport to a completely new audience with the return of American SpeedFest, headlined by the NASCAR Euro Series, as the marquee family festival.
The overarching theme of a century of power will be celebrated in many ways throughout the year, with demonstrations, displays, guest activities and other themed activities across the board. Every major car race meeting will feature special elements marking Brands Hatch’s history, whilst the summer round of Bennetts BSB will act as the centrepiece motorcycle event, with further details to be shared in due course.
The Classic Racing Motorcycle Club weekend on 4/5 July will also adopt a ‘100 years of motorcycles’ theme.
Many smaller events will feature nods to the ongoing festivities too, whilst special edition event programmes and poster artwork will add to the year-long recognition.