SOUTHPORT'S sands are to host a re-enactment of the 1926 land-speed record attempt which saw Sir Henry Segrave become a national hero.
A priceless 350hp Sunbeam car is being brought up from the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu for the celebration which will mark the 80th anniversary of the spectacular 152.33mph run.
Exactly 80 years ago Henry Segrave took to Southport beach in his 4lr Sunbeam to become the fastest man on the planet.
Segrave was already a successful racing driver with victories at Brooklands and a famous win at the French Grand Prix in 1923.
But it was his thirst to become the fastest driver in the world which saw him take his first ever attempt at the record in Southport.
Now Sefton council's tourism department has teamed up with members of the Sunbeam Talbot Darracq Club to mark the motoring milestone with a celebration event in the resort.
On Thursday, March 16, an array of historic Sunbeam cars will take to the sands for a tribute run as well as a stationary display later in the day.
Segrave's land speed record stood for just six weeks before being eclipsed by Parry Thomas's Babs. He later went on to travel at more than 231mph creating another world record in 1929 in a car called The Golden Arrow.
Henry O'Neal de hane Segrave was born in Baltimore, USA.
