Goodwood opens up Tyrrell shed during Members’ Meeting

At the 81^st Goodwood Members’ Meeting in April, the public will be able to take a peak inside the famous Tyrrell shed where some famous Tyrrell F1 cars saw the light of day.

The Tyrrell shed originally was part of the famous Tyrrell timber yard, Ken Tyrrell’s company that was located in Ockham Village, in Surrey (UK). Here, Derek Gardner built Tyrrell’s first Formula 1 – the Tyrrell 001 – in 1970. Jackie Stewart drove to two of his three F1 world titles in Tyrrells that were built in ‘the shed’.

Great for secrecy

As the premises harbouring Tyrrell’s racing activities grew, the shed nevertheless remained. It was even used to built the six-wheeled Tyrrell P34 in the greatest secrecy. Only at the car’s official unveiling did the press find out that Tyrrell was ditching the classic four-wheel concept for the 1976 season. Right up until the very end of Tyrrell – in 1997 – the shed remained in use, even if the team used more modern facilities at the Ockham Village grounds.

Humble grounds

The shed symbolizes the humble beginnings endured by many of the British racing teams – or ‘garagistas’ as Enzo Ferrari used to call them disdainfully. For Lotus and Tyrrell, these low-key starts did not stand in their way of success. It proved a big factory was not an essential ingredient for success in motor racing. The Tyrrell shed also stands in stark contrast to the current, massive, high-tech factories the likes of Renault, Red Bull and Mercedes have in the UK. Let’s not forget that Mercedes grew from Brawn GP, which was BAR before that… and Tyrrell before that.

Move that shed

We cannot imagine the cost involved, but we salute Goodwood for taking the trouble to save the Tyrrell shed, and have it moved from Ockham Village to the Goodwood grounds. This is a landmark in motor racing history, and we for one will be only too happy to go and have a look at the Tyrrell shed, that is now restored.

If you want to read more on Tyrrell, we recommend this book.

The 81^st Goodwood Members’ Meeting is scheduled for 13-14 April. Tickets here.