Among the more curious exhibits at the Brooklands Museum in Weybridge, Surrey: The original serried rank of brown porcelain urinals as watered by the motorcycle and car greats of the pre-war racing world. This 1907 relic is now hidden behind closed doors and you won’t find it on the Brooklands web site. It is available for viewing only by gentleman callers and strictly out of bounds for use, having been replaced by a smart set of 1930s equipment.
Fact: These are the oldest urinals ever installed at any motoring circuit in the world. Rejoice.
Postscript: A kind reader has pointed out that the title of this piece is somewhat sexist. Of course, there were many female drivers of renown in the pre-war era, including Kay Petrie, Barbara Cartland, Margaret Allen and the Cordery sisters. I apologise to their memory. On my next visit to the circuit I shall send in a female spy with a Minox to discover what vintage 1907 facilities were available to the lady drivers.
Whilst a 1907 well preserved urinal is undoubtedly noteworthy I would like to advance the still in use and very original open air pissoir not far from the main entrance behind the vintage stand on the pit straight at Le Mans as even more deserving of an accolade.See http://therollingroad.blogspot.com.au/2011/05/original-le-mans.html
I can personally testify that this ancient pissoir-brown porcelain et tous -is still in full operational use as my friends Patrick ( pictured in the pissoir in 2011in the blog post ),Michael and myself can testify having relieved ourselves there at the 2014 Le Mans Classic just 10 days ago