Iconic land speed record car returns 100 years after world record run
MOTORING history will come alive once again this spring as the legendary land speed record car Babs returns to Pendine Sands to mark a historic centenary.
The special anniversary event, taking place on Monday, April 27, 2026, will celebrate 100 years since J. G. Parry-Thomas set a world land speed record on the famous stretch of beach in 1926.
Organised as a free public event, proceedings will begin at midday, with Babs expected to complete two demonstration runs along the community-owned section of the sands. Visitors are being encouraged to arrive early to allow time for parking and to secure a good viewing spot.
The celebration will highlight Pendine’s unique place in British motoring history, with the return of the iconic vehicle set to draw enthusiasts and visitors from across Wales and beyond.
Alongside the main event, the Museum of Land Speed will officially launch its new “Project Lab” initiative. The development marks the next phase of plans to create a permanent exhibition space, aimed at telling the wider story of Pendine and improving access to its historic collections.
Local residents and supporters will be invited to help shape the project as it progresses.
Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism, Cllr Hazel Evans, said the event would honour a defining moment in motorsport history.
“The return of Babs to Pendine Sands for this historic celebration will honour one of the most iconic moments in British motorsport history and recognise the legacy that continues to shape Pendine’s identity today,” she said.
She also welcomed the launch of the museum’s new initiative, describing it as an important خطوة in preserving and sharing the area’s heritage.
Safety measures will be in place on the day, including designated viewing areas, with visitors asked to remain within marked zones to ensure the event can proceed safely.
The centenary celebration is being organised by the Babs Trust in partnership with Pendine Community Council, the National Motor Museum of Wales, and Geraint Owen, who is responsible for the care and maintenance of the historic vehicle.
The Museum of Land Speed forms part of the CofGâr network, Carmarthenshire County Council’s museums and arts service, which manages five heritage sites across the county.
The event promises to be a fitting tribute to Pendine’s rich motoring legacy—bringing the past roaring back to life on the very sands where history was made.
