03/06/2026
🏳️🌈 It takes courage to break records. It takes even more courage to be yourself.
Joe Carstairs did both.
A record-breaking powerboat racer, adventurer and trailblazer of the 1920s, Joe refused to let society define who she should be or how she should live. At a time when standing out came with real risks, she chose authenticity, independence and a life lived entirely on her own terms.
She wasn't alone in pushing boundaries. Joe became a friend and supporter of Sir Malcolm Campbell, helping to fund his Blue Bird record-breaking ambitions as a generation of pioneers chased speed, innovation and the impossible.
Their world was one of courage, determination and daring to be different.
That's why Joe's story belongs at Brooklands.
This Pride Month, we're celebrating the real heroes whose lives helped shape the world around us. Not just because of what they achieved, but because of who they were. People who challenged expectations, broke down barriers and had the courage to live authentically when it would have been easier not to.
When you visit Brooklands Museum, you'll discover stories of extraordinary people like Joe alongside the iconic cars, aircraft and machines they helped inspire. Stories of speed, flight and innovation - but also stories of resilience, identity and belonging.
Find out more about Joe's remarkable story: https://zurl.co/6gXyV