Legendary British racing car returns to Slough Trading Estate to celebrate 60th anniversary
SEGRO has teamed up with the GT40 Enthusiasts Club and Slough Museum to host a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the iconic racing car at Slough Trading Estate, the location where the vehicles were first manufactured in 1964
The event, which took place on Sunday 21 April, brought together 30 of the classic GT40 cars with their owners and motor racing enthusiasts from all over the country to celebrate the anniversary and re-live the history of what is widely regarded as one of the most successful and best-loved British racing cars of all time.
Born out of Henry Ford III’s determination to challenge Ferrari’s dominance of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the blue riband event in the world of endurance sports car racing, the company developed the GT40 high performance sports car at Slough Trading Estate. It became the manufacturing hub for the car which went on to dominate Le Mans in the late 1960s by winning four consecutive races.
The GT40 Enthusiasts Club was formed in 1985 to celebrate and promote the car’s iconic status in British motor racing. Celebrating 60 years since its creation on the Slough Trading Estate, the club’s worldwide membership joined SEGRO and the Slough Museum – an independent, registered charity that tells the history of Slough – to host the special event.
Jo Jackson, Director, Western Corridor at SEGRO, said:
“The GT40 is a treasured part Slough’s history and it’s great to see people coming together to celebrate the anniversary and their memories of the Trading Estate’s diverse heritage and achievements. It’s something we and the local community can be incredibly proud of, and demonstrates why we are determined that the Slough Trading Estate remains a place from where businesses can invest, innovate and thrive in the future.”
Maxine Walter, GT40 Enthusiasts Club Member, said:
“To be able to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the GT40 on the Slough Trading Estate has been a memorable experience for everyone involved. We are hugely grateful to SEGRO and the team at Slough Museum for hosting the event, and to the local businesses for their support, in particular Cinelab.”
Jaye Isherwood, Exhibition Manager at Slough Museum, said:
“The purpose of Slough Museum is to restore pride in the town and shine a light on the fascinating story of the Trading Estate and innovative products developed by businesses based on the site. The GT40 event is a tremendous occasion to celebrate one of the amazing products to have been born and built on the Estate. As a Slough child I remember the GT40 racing cars making their way around the Estate on test runs and it’s wonderful to see them return 60 years later.”
Slough Trading Estate is Europe’s largest industrial estate under single ownership and has a rich history going back over 100 years since its beginnings as a repair site for World War 1 military vehicles. Over the course of the 20th century, Slough Trading Estate has played a critical role in British manufacturing and popular culture. In 1932, Mars established a production facility on the Estate where it subsequently invented the Mars Bar; and in 1964 iconic television programme, Thunderbirds, was created by Gerry Anderson.
About SEGRO
SEGRO is a UK Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), listed on the London Stock Exchange and Euronext Paris, and is a leading owner, manager and developer of modern warehouses and industrial property. It owns or manages 10.4 million square metres of space (112 million square feet) valued at £20.7 billion serving customers from a wide range of industry sectors. Its properties are located in and around major cities and at key transportation hubs in the UK and in seven other European countries.
For over 100 years SEGRO has been creating the space that enables extraordinary things to happen. From modern big box warehouses, used primarily for regional, national and international distribution hubs, to urban warehousing located close to major population centres and business districts, it provides high-quality assets that allow its customers to thrive.
A commitment to be a force for societal and environmental good is integral to SEGRO’s purpose and strategy. Its Responsible SEGRO framework focuses on three long-term priorities where the company believes it can make the greatest impact: Championing Low-Carbon Growth, Investing in Local Communities and Environments and Nurturing Talent.
See www.SEGRO.com for further information.