Motorsport legend the late John Surtees CBE at Fetcham Park for a charity event in aid of Challengers in 2016

When people talk about the epicentres of British motorsport, places like Silverstone, Goodwood, or Brands Hatch often steal the spotlight. But Leatherhead, situated at the gateway of the Surrey Hills, is a town that has been an integral part of the UK’s motorsport story for over a century.

Brooklands: The Birthplace of Racing, Just Next Door

Any exploration of Leatherhead’s motorsport heritage must begin with Brooklands, located just a short drive away in Weybridge. Opened in 1907, Brooklands was the world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit. It quickly became a proving ground for early automotive engineering, speed records, and the kind of daredevil racing that captured the public imagination.

But Brooklands wasn’t just about cars. It was also a key site for early aviation, with aircraft development taking place alongside motor racing. According to the Brooklands Museum, it played a dual role in pushing both land and air transportation into the modern age – laying the foundations for the UK’s engineering prowess.

The influence of Brooklands extended across Surrey, and towns like Leatherhead benefited from the influx of skilled engineers, mechanics, and designers drawn to the region’s innovative spirit.

Carless Racing Fuels: Powering Performance from Leatherhead

Today, Leatherhead continues to contribute directly to global motorsport through companies like Carless Racing Fuels. Based in the town, Carless is a key supplier of specialist racing fuels, used in events from national championships to international competitions. Their fuels meet strict performance and environmental standards set by organisations such as Motorsport UK and the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), the global governing body for motorsport.

Whether it’s supplying fuel for Formula 3 cars or rallycross vehicles, Carless Racing Fuels is part of the unseen but critical infrastructure that keeps motorsport running at full speed.

Engineering Excellence and Motorsport Valley

Leatherhead also sits firmly within what’s known as Motorsport Valley – a globally recognised hub of motorsport innovation and high-performance engineering that stretches through Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, and the Surrey Hills.

Nearby, in Woking, giants like McLaren push the boundaries of F1 technology, while Leatherhead plays a supporting role through its network of suppliers, logistics firms, and engineering consultancies. The local economy quietly thrives on this connection, with many residents working directly in motorsport design, manufacturing, or data analysis.

The Tyrrell Shed

Ken Tyrrell’s legendary Formula One empire began in the most modest of places – his small wooden shed behind the family’s timber yard in Ockham, Surrey, close to Fetcham Park and Leatherhead.

From this unassuming workshop, Tyrrell ran his early racing operations, preparing cars and nurturing young drivers long before his team became world champions. The shed has since become a symbol of his ingenuity and resourcefulness: proof that with determination and vision, a world-beating Formula One team could grow from the humblest of beginnings.

Ken Tyrrell’s team launched the careers of legendary drivers – including Jackie Stewart, John Surtees, and Jody Scheckter – and shaped Formula One’s competitive landscape.

Tyrrell Racing’s lineage continues today as part of the Mercedes-AMG F1 team, underscoring how his influence still resonates in modern Formula One.

In 2024, The Tyrrell Shed was saved by Goodwood and rebuilt at Motor Circuit. The shed, which houses important Tyrrell F1 history, is open to visit during Goodwood’s various events, such as the Goodwood Revival or the Members’ Meeting.

Bluebird – A World Record-Breaker

World land and water speed record-breaker, Donald Campbell, lived briefly in Leatherhead and the museum has a small collection of memorabilia donated by his daughter and local collectors. Several of the record-breaking Bluebird cars were also built locally, by Campbell’s chief engineer, Leo Villa, and stored in garages close to Fetcham Park and Leatherhead.

Fetcham Park – A Passion for Motorsport

On a personal level, Fetcham Park and its owners share a passion for motorsport which has led to the House hosting some one-of-a-kind events. In 2016, Fetcham Park hosted a Motorsport Icons – a charity event with special guests John Surtees CBE, the only person to have won world championships on two and four wheels, and Formula One legend Damon Hill OBE. The event raised money for Challengers, a children’s disability charity based in Guildford.

John Surtees CBE in conversation with Damon Hill OBE at Fetcham Park for Motorsport Icons, a charity event to raise money for Challengers

More recently, Fetcham Park client Blue Star Media is the publisher of Historic Motor Racing News, the only magazine dedicated to sharing the latest news in the world of historic motor sport.

Fetcham Park Office Space Near Leatherhead

To find out more about our latest availability, contact the team on hello@fetchampark.co.uk