Oxford Brookes celebrates alumnus and motorsport legend, Adrian Reynard
On 15 May, the Oxford Brookes community, racing enthusiasts, and engineering students gathered at Headington Campus for an unforgettable evening celebrating one of the University’s most distinguished graduates, Adrian Reynard.
The special event, hosted in the John Henry Brookes Lecture Theatre, featured an exclusive screening of the powerful new feature documentary The Engineer, followed by a live Q&A with Adrian himself and the film's director, his son, Sam Reynard.
A journey of innovation and resilience
The evening kicked off with a welcome reception where alumni from across generations, current staff, eager engineering students, and motorsport fans all mingled and shared stories of the University's rich history in engineering.
The documentary screening provided a deeply personal and unflinching portrait of Adrian, exploring his monumental journey from a 19-year-old student at Brookes to founding Reynard Racing Cars, which grew to become the world’s largest race car manufacturer in the 1970s and 80s.
Audiences were treated to a nostalgic look back at Adrian’s early days, where his hands-on passion famously led him to break the World Land Speed Record on a motorcycle he built himself. Beyond his historic achievements on the track, the film offered an intimate look at Adrian at 74 as he pursues one final land speed record challenge, while beautifully documenting how he channelled his engineering brilliance to help his daughter, Daniela, navigate a rare medical condition.
Insights from the track and the camera
Following the screening, director Sam and Adrian took to the stage for an exclusive Q&A session. Sam shared insights into the unique experience of capturing his father's dual legacy - both as a motorsport titan and as a dedicated family man.
Adrian reflected fondly on his foundational years at Brookes, emphasising how the practical, ambitious spirit of the institution shaped his career. Attendees - including several current engineering students - had the opportunity to ask Adrian about the future of motorsport engineering and professional advice.
Supporting the next generation of pioneers
Adrian Reynard’s journey began with a hands-on passion and the event proudly looked toward the future of that legacy. In honour of Adrian's immense contributions to motorsport engineering, all donations raised from the evening are supporting the Oxford Brookes Racing (OBR) team.
If you would like to contribute, you can support the team at any time. OBR has already raised 93% of their £5,000 fundraising goal: can you help them reach 100%?
By supporting the team, you are not just funding a car; you are empowering the next generation of talent as they gain the industry-recognised experience needed to launch careers in Formula One, automotive, and aerospace.
Make a donation and support the Oxford Brookes Racing Team today
Thank you to our alumni, staff, students, and visitors who attended, donated, and helped make the evening such a resounding success.
