THE 60th anniversary of Farnham legend Mike Hawthorn becoming Britain’s first ever Formula One World Champion will be celebrated with an historic car parade through the streets of his home town on Sunday, October 14 – and all are invited.

Hawthorn became the first British driver to secure the world championship in 1958. In taking the title he brought British motor racing to the pinnacle of world single seater competition. Sadly, Mike tragically lost his life in a road crash on the Hogs Back just months after securing his title.

In 2009, a dedicated group of enthusiasts marked the 50th anniversary of this event with a parade and the same group, The Friends of Mike Hawthorn, are aiming to stage a stunning repeat in Farnham this October.

The team hope to have cars of the type that Hawthorn would have known parading during the afternoon, as well as holding a service of celebration in St Andrew’s Parish Church, Farnham.

Lead organiser Michael Ballard said: “We plan to run cars in batches around a town centre figure of eight circuit in a controlled manor, to give spectators the chance to see, hear and smell some serious machinery. We already have Jaguars of the type Mike won Le Mans with pledged, as well as a few of his actual racing machines.”

Global energy supplier Total Elf will sponsor the event, dubbed ‘The Total Elf HTX Mike Hawthorn Grand Prix de Farnham’, and other sponsors, including Hawthorns of Farnham, are being sought and signed up.

The event also has the support of Waverley Borough Council, whose leader, Upper Hale councillor Julia Potts, said: “This is an event that really has the opportunity to bring many benefits to the organisers, the town and borough.”