Sir Henry Segrave’s Sunbeam Tiger returns as Southport hosts 100th anniversary land speed record event

Andrew Brown
4 Min Read
Sir Henry Segrave's Sunbeam Tiger will return to Southport

The 100th anniversary of Sir Henry Segrave breaking the world land speed record will be celebrated in Southport. 

Aintree Circuit Club is pleased to confirm that Sir Henry Segrave’s Sunbeam Tiger will return to Southport, marking the centenary of raising the world land speed record to 152.33 MPH at this historic location. 

On 16th March 1926, Segrave took the record with Tiger in front of remarkably few witnesses and, thanks to long term owner Vijay Mallya, her return will form the centrepiece of a weekend of celebrations planned around this highly significant anniversary. 

The event, supported by Cataclean and Corkills VW, will start with an exclusive dinner on the evening this Saturday (14th March 2026) followed by a concours featuring Tiger this Sunday (15th March 2026) 

The celebrations will conclude with Tiger taking to Ainsdale Beach on Monday (16th March 2026) with Mr Mallya at the wheel to drive the exact course used by Segrave, exactly 100 years on from the record run. 

Sunday 15th March 2026 – Segrave 100 Concours Vintage & Classic Car Display

King’s Gardens, Lower Promenade, Southport

10.30am – 2.30pm 

Awards Presentation: 1.30pm1330.

Event finishes 4pm

The cars will follow a parade lap route from King’s Gardens via Esplanade, Kingsway, Lord Street, Leicester Street and Promenade.

Free public admission – organisers recommend you travel by Merseyrail or Northern to Southport Station – 10min flat walk.

Monday 16th March 2026 – Segrave 100 Anniversary World Land Speed Record 

Parade Runs – Vintage Cars and the V12 Sunbeam Tiger 

Ainsdale Beach – entrance via Shore Road

Parade Runs 10.30am – 11.30am

Sunbeam Tiger beach runs 11.30am-12pm

Event finishes 12pm

Beach runs are weather dependent 

Free public admission 

Public viewing areas will be strictly controlled for safety and environmental reasons – please follow marshals’ instructions 

No public access to the dunes next to the spectator area 

Limited public parking at The Pontins Holiday Park 8am-4pm £5 / car cash only 

Organisers recommend you travel to enjoy the anniversary by Merseyrail to Ainsdale Station – <15min flat walk. Free Station parking en route.

Keep an eye on the Aintree Circuit Club website and associated social media for further information.

Sir  Henry O’Neal de Hane Segrave, the Baltimore born British national, already had a successful Grand Prix career under his belt when he turned to record breaking. 

The car that allowed him to take the first of his three land speed records was Sunbeam’s “Ladybird” (later known as “Tiger”), designed by legendary engineer Louis Coatalen. 

This compact, supercharged V12 car would be the last holder of the ultimate speed record that also built a successful career away from the beaches and on the race circuits. 

Only a year after his success at Southport, Segrave along with Coatalen’s twin engine Sunbeam “1000 hp”, now a part of the National Motor Museum collection at Beaulieu, would be the first to take the record to over 200 MPH at Daytona Beach in America.

For more details visit the Aintree Circuit Club website: www.southportclassicandspeed.com  

Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Do you need advertising, PR or media support? Please message Andrew Brown or email: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com 

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