Carmarthen's Motor Racing History

Carmarthen is home to one of the most important beaches in automotive history. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Pendine Sands were used for motorbike and car races, as the straight and flat stretch of beach formed a perfect natural racetrack. Malcolm Campbell was the first person ever to attempt to set a world land speed record on the Sands, and he achieved 146.16mph in his Sunbeam 350HP car, succeeding at breaking the current record at the time.

On his second attempt, Campbell overtook his previous record, becoming the first person to travel over 150mph. This record was beaten in 1927 by Welshman J.G. Parry-Thomas in his car, ‘Babs’, only for the title to be reclaimed by Campbell the same year. Parry-Thomas made one final attempt at breaking this record, which tragically led to his death, as an exposed drive chain broke causing his vehicle to lose control and roll over.

J.G. Parry-Thomas was the first driver to lose their life trying to break a world land speed record, and his was the last record attempt ever to be made on Pendine Sands. To this day, parts of the Sands can be driven on, and for those familiar with the site’s racing history, it is a truly special experience.

‘Babs’ was buried in Carmarthenshire sand dunes after Parry-Thomas’s death, and then excavated and restored 42 years later by Owen Wyn Owen, an engineering lecturer. The car has now taken pride of place in Pendine’s Museum of Speed. This museum was established in 1996 to honour historic racing attempts and is open to the public.

The car belonging to the motor racing legend is among a range of exceptional cars and bikes from Pendine’s racing history and petrol heads will love the exhibitions that this museum has to offer. If you become inspired to find your own racing machine, make your next stop Smile, based a short drive from Carmarthen, where you can get behind the wheel of your dream car for an exceptional financial rate.