Chapman name reunited with Brands Hatch.

Britain's Brands Hatch race circuit has paid tribute to one of the greatest names in British motoring and motorsport history by rededicating its main pedestrian thoroughfare, Colin Chapman Way.

Originally named after the late-founder of Lotus Engineering and multiple Formula 1 Championship-winning boss in the mid-80s, the commemorative sign was unfortunately lost several years later.

As the man responsible for high performance sports cars like the Elan, Elite and Seven, Chapman was also an innovating force on the Grand Prix circuit. His driver's, including Mario Andretti and Jim Clark, won the World Crown no less than seven times between 1960 and 1978.

The restoration of Colin Chapman Way follows a request by his son Clive to new circuit owner, MotorSport Vision. Chapman explained: "I spoke several times with the circuit's previous owners about rededicating the road, and was very pleased when Jonathan Palmer agreed."

"I was always very proud that it was about the first thing that people see when they come in through the circuit gates. It's nice to think that people will once again know that this road is Colin Chapman Way."

He added: "I still think the road is very aptly named - it's a straight and narrow road, which is very much what my father believed in staying on."

The rededication took place during a display of Classic Team Lotus's most famous Formula One cars of yesteryear at the famous Kent circuit.

Damon Hill, son of another racing legend Graham Hill, drove the Lotus 49B in which his father won the 1968 F1 World Championship, while the car in which Ayrton Senna won his first Grand Prix was also on track.