British Racing Motors (BRM) marked its 75th anniversary with a spectacular celebration at the Oulton Park Gold Cup from 25-27 July, 2025. Headlining the milestone was a thrilling on-track demonstration on Saturday, 26 July, which saw an eclectic selection of historic BRM race cars return to the Cheshire circuit in front of thousands of enthusiasts.
A total of 19 BRM machines – spanning legendary Formula 1 challengers to the experimental Rover-BRM gas turbine prototype – were showcased in the paddock throughout the weekend. The star of the collection was P578/1, affectionately known as ‘Old Faithful’ – the very chassis that carried Graham Hill to the 1962 Formula 1 World Championship. P578/1 previously appeared on track at the 2022 Goodwood Revival, where it was driven by Graham Hill’s Championship-winning son, Damon.
Old Faithful’s presence was made even more special thanks to its on-track demonstration by British racing hero Richard Attwood, who campaigned a P578 alongside Graham Hill in the 1964 News of the World Trophy at Goodwood.
‘The last time I drove a P578 was in 1964 at Goodwood – so it’s been several years since I’ve driven one!’ Richard told Octane just before climbing into the cockpit. ‘That was the only race I did for BRM that year because Graham [Hill] and Richie [Ginther] did most of the driving.
‘But this is a very special occasion,’ Richard continued. ‘Cars of the era were a little wayward, but they progressively got better. I’m going to be careful because it’s now a very valuable car – and when I’m driving someone else’s car, I always feel a sense of responsibility. I have to behave!’
Despite his caution, it was clear that old habits took over once Attwood was behind the wheel, as P578/1’s 1.5-litre V8 sang out of Dear Leap, before perfectly timed throttle blips announced its arrival into the banked turn one right-hander of Old Hall. Sharing the circuit was its sister car, P578/3 – the very chassis that made the model’s final Works appearance with Richie Ginther at the 1963 South African Grand Prix in East London.
While Attwood’s reunion with P578/1 provided the most poignant highlight, the most thrilling machine to watch was the BRM P15 V16 Continuation expertly piloted by Rob Hall of historic motorsport specialist Hall & Hall. Spectators looked on slack-jawed as the earsplitting, twin-supercharged 1.5-litre V16 screamed towards its stratospheric 12,000rpm redline around the circuit.
In stark contrast to the V16’s deafening cacophony was the hushed futuristic whoosh of the Rover-BRM prototype. Based on a widened version of BRM’s 1962 Grand Prix chassis, this gas-turbine-powered curio was an experimental entry at the 1963 Le Mans 24 Hours – where it finished an impressive eighth with Graham Hill and Richie Ginther sharing driving duties.
The trio of 1970s V12-powered F1 cars – the P153, P160 and P201 – brought the era to life with a spirited performance from their respective drivers. Raced in-period by the likes of Pedro Rodríguez, Jean-Pierre Beltoise and Niki Lauda, the bewinged machines were seen running nose-to-tail and jockeying for position around the 2.7-mile circuit.
Other highlights of the track demonstration included BRM’s first Grand Prix-winning car, the 1959 P25; the thunderous 1965 Willment BRM V8 Can-Am; the Coventry-Climax-engined 1961 P57; and the 1966 BRM Formula 2 car raced in-period by Jo Siffert.
A number of spectators were former BRM personnel, including the team’s former chief engine mechanic, Roger Barsby. ‘It’s a hell of a thing, seeing them all running again,’ he said. ‘It takes me right back. That V16 especially – just hearing it gives me goosebumps. The sound of BRM’s engines could be heard for miles around Bourne,’ he recalled shortly after the demonstration. ‘The whole town would vibrate. I wouldn’t trade it for the world,’ he added with a grin.
Roger was joined by Nick, Paul and Simon Owen – descendants of BRM’s long-time patron and team owner Sir Alfred Owen, whose Rubery Owen Group acquired the team in 1952. His persistence and support paid off with the 1962 Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships, four further years as runner-up, and 17 Grand Prix victories.
Today, Nick, Simon and Paul each play an active role in preserving the BRM legacy through the ongoing work of BRM Ltd – which oversees the team’s archive, historic restorations and the continuation car programme. Much of this work is carried out in partnership with Bourne-based Hall and Hall, whose technical expertise and deep connection to the team’s past have been instrumental in bringing these iconic machines back to life.
Among the more modern curiosities was a small fleet of Rover 200 BRM hot hatches – produced in limited numbers during the late 1990s in homage to the original team. One example brought to the event is owned by David Owen, son of Sir Alfred, and was driven to the Owen Motor Club stand by his son, Nick.
Fittingly, the weekend’s celebrations were rounded off with a race victory, as Andy Willis piloted Charles McCabe’s BRM P48 to victory in Sunday’s Historic Gold Cup. While BRM never won the Gold Cup in-period, Graham Hill did secure the team third place in the 1960 edition – with the very chassis driven by Willis.
Championed by the Owen and Hall families and fuelled by the affection of the public, BRM looks set to be celebrated for another 75 years to come.
