BROOKLANDS is bracing itself for an invasion this weekend after a generating huge amounts of interest as Top Gear presenter James May sets out to break another world record for his James May?s Toy Stories TV show.
Brooklands Museum is putting up special signs and laying on extra parking for an expected 5,000 visitors on Sunday as the Weybridge venue hosts May as he attempts to smash the world record for the longest ever Scalextric track.
Hundreds of volunteers from the area have already been recruited to lay almost three miles of track along the route of Brooklands? famous outer circuit for the BBC TV show.
May and an army of helpers will then run a Scalextric slot-car race on the course. If successful, the race will be the first to take place along the course of the famous banked circuit for 70 years. The last race was just before the outbreak of World War II in August 1939.
Organisers have had to turn away would-be helpers but are keen to encourage spectators to come along and witness the historic miniature race.
The enormous interest in the event follows May?s world record attempt at building a Lego house at Denbies wine estate near Dorking earlier this month, when four times as many people as were needed turned up to help the effort.
Allan Winn, director of Brooklands Museum, said the interest in the event was unprecedented.
?It has been amazing the number of people who are following the story,? he said.
?It has really attracted a huge amount of attention.?
He added that the spotlight on Brooklands was showing a new audience the kind of lively activities that take place at the museum all year round.
As well as the world record attempt, the museum is holding the Pendle Slot Racing Festival, with a range of activities involving some of its most famous attractions, including the Test Hill and a circuit beneath the wings of Concorde.
The event runs from 10am to 4.30pm, with normal museum entrance prices.
