There was a time when it was possible to park just outside the entrance to the Brooklands Museum, stroll in, and visit the venue with just a smattering of classic car enthusiasts hovering around the Napier-Railton in the background.

How things change: now in its fourth year, Brooklands’ New Year Gathering challenged the post-Christmas-binge bleary option of slouching on one’s sofa, facing the sales or treading in cyberspace with the alternative of giving the garaged classic car (and the family) an airing.

Or so must have felt the owners of over 1,000 classic cars which populated the banking, paddocks, car parks and display areas of Weybridge’s historic site: by the end of a day which was equally blessed with sun and rain, more than 4,000 people had gone through the gates, either driving in and parking their own pre-1973 model (the only entrance condition) or leaving all modern wheels just outside.

Club presence was robust, from the down-to-earth neat rows of Scimitars and Fiat 500s to the racy Caterhams and conspicuous American hot-rods, ranging from funky Model Bs to haughty Mustangs, with pastel-coloured commercial vehicles and orange pick-ups dotting the ground in between.

The “Members’ Banking”, the most challenging portion of the original racetrack, hosted everything from humble Austins to Porsches. Spotting the occasional rare little gem, like a Herald Courier Van or TVR 3000 Convertible was a worthwhile game for the enthusiasts.

Elsewhere in the Motoring Village, brisk preparations were being made for the 50 entrants to the ‘London to Cape Town’ World Cup Rally. Scrutineering was mercifully carried out before the heavens opened, but the rain was no obstacle to any of the participants who left Brooklands in the afternoon. The party added more colour, enthusiasm and joie de vivre to an event which has become the highlight of new year celebrations in the South of England.

Brooklands Museum Marketing Manager Paul Stewart commented that “our New Year’s Day event clearly shows an interest for Classics from all eras, among people of all ages and backgrounds. Brooklands is the perfect venue for them to pursue that interest - long may it continue!”

Brooklands Museum’s diary of events stretches throughout the year. Each occasion has a particular flavour, marque or theme linked to the venue’s long and varied history of Motorsport, Aviation and engineering.