Tyrrell's Shed: Birthplace of Champions
A WWII wooden hut turned Tyrrell Racing’s 20×69 ft workshop where championship F1 cars were built and later preserved at Goodwood.
Tyrrell's Shed, a modest wooden structure in Ockham, Surrey, played a pivotal role in Formula One history. Originally built during World War II as a Women's Royal Army Corps hut, it was later purchased by Ken Tyrrell for £50 to store timber. By 1958, this 20-by-69-foot shed became the headquarters of Tyrrell Racing, a team that produced championship-winning cars and drivers, including Jackie Stewart. Despite its small size and basic setup, the shed became a hub for engineering brilliance, housing the creation of iconic cars like the six-wheeled Tyrrell P34.
From 1968 to 1976, every championship-winning Tyrrell car was developed in this space, proving that success in motorsport doesn’t require lavish facilities. The shed’s story reflects the resourcefulness and determination that defined an era of Formula One. After decades of use, it was relocated to Goodwood Motor Circuit, where it now stands as a preserved piece of racing history, inspiring future generations.
Key takeaways:
- Built during WWII, repurposed by Ken Tyrrell in 1958.
- Headquarters for Tyrrell Racing until 1976.
- Produced championship-winning cars, including Jackie Stewart’s 1971 and 1973 victories.
- Relocated to Goodwood Motor Circuit for preservation.
The shed’s legacy lives on as a symbol of ingenuity and passion in motorsport.
The Tyrrell Shed Interviews | Jackie Stewart and the shared Goodwood Lap Record
From Wartime Shelter to Timber Yard
The origins of the shed are rooted not in the world of motorsport, but in the necessities of war. During World War II, the British military constructed this modest wooden structure to serve as a hut for the Women's Royal Army Corps. These simple buildings, scattered across the English countryside, were designed for practicality. They provided critical housing and workspace for military personnel, reflecting the urgent demands of a nation at war.
After the war, many of these military huts were repurposed. The Tyrrell family saw an opportunity and acquired one of these surplus structures at an affordable price. It became a practical solution for their timber business, Tyrrell Brothers, based in Ockham, Surrey.
In its early days, the shed was an unremarkable yet vital part of the family’s operations. It offered just enough space to store lumber safely, shielding it from the weather. Stacks of timber filled the interior, and the building quietly served its purpose as a cornerstone of the family’s trade.
Things began to change in the late 1950s when Ken Tyrrell's growing passion for motorsport started to reshape the family’s focus. The timber was gradually cleared out, and the shed was transformed into a workshop. This once-humble structure became the birthplace of innovative race cars that would define Ken Tyrrell's racing journey.
The shed’s journey - from wartime barracks to timber storage and finally to a racing workshop - embodied the ingenuity and determination that would later drive Tyrrell Racing to success.
Ken Tyrrell's Vision: The Birth of a Racing Team
In 1958, Ken Tyrrell transformed a modest 20-foot by 69-foot shed in Ockham, Surrey, into the nerve center of his new Formula Three team. Originally a storage facility for the Tyrrell family's timber business, this unassuming structure became the foundation of a racing operation that would leave an indelible mark on motorsport history.
Tyrrell understood that his strength lay in building and managing a team rather than driving. He focused on creating an environment where emerging talent could flourish, prioritizing development and potential over established reputations. This approach not only shaped his team’s ethos but also highlighted his innovative management style.
Nestled within the family timber yard, the shed offered both convenience and privacy. It provided a space where ideas could flow freely and projects could unfold without outside interference.
From the beginning, Tyrrell’s strategy was clear: identify and nurture young drivers with promise. Between 1958 and 1967, during the Formula Three and Formula Two years, his team featured rising stars like John Surtees and Jacky Ickx, underscoring his remarkable ability to recognize talent before it reached the spotlight.
The Early Days of Tyrrell Racing
The shed’s compact 1,355-square-foot space cultivated a close-knit working environment that became a hallmark of Tyrrell Racing. Team members worked shoulder to shoulder, fostering collaboration and quick problem-solving. This hands-on, resourceful approach - often referred to as the "garagista" spirit - allowed the team to innovate and thrive despite limited means.
Ken Tyrrell was deeply involved in every aspect of the operation. He knew each team member personally, mentored drivers, and ensured that every detail was managed with care. This level of engagement created a strong sense of unity and efficiency that enabled the team to consistently outperform expectations.
Tyrrell’s steady progression through the lower racing categories wasn’t accidental. He spent nearly a decade refining technical methods, building a solid organizational structure, and proving that his team could deliver consistent results. By the time they were ready to step into Formula One, the foundation for success was firmly in place.
Discovering Jackie Stewart
Tyrrell’s knack for spotting raw talent became evident once again in 1963 at Goodwood, where he discovered a young Scottish driver named Jackie Stewart. Recognizing Stewart’s potential immediately, Tyrrell brought him into the fold. Throughout the mid-1960s, Stewart honed his craft under Tyrrell’s guidance, preparing for the challenges ahead.
When Tyrrell Racing entered Formula One in 1968 through a partnership with French manufacturer Matra, Stewart rejoined his former mentor as the team’s lead driver. The results were extraordinary. In their debut F1 season, Stewart claimed three Grand Prix victories and finished second in the championship standings. The following year, in 1969, he dominated the competition, securing both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles for Tyrrell Racing.
This success was a testament to Tyrrell’s vision. He didn’t just assemble fast cars and skilled drivers; he created an environment where talent could thrive. The systems, personnel, and collaborative culture he developed in that humble wooden shed laid the groundwork for a championship-winning team.
In just a decade, a simple £50 shed became the birthplace of Formula One greatness. Ken Tyrrell’s journey proved that success in motorsport isn’t about flashy facilities or massive budgets - it’s about vision, determination, and the ability to turn potential into achievement.
The Championship Years: A Shed at the Center of Success
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Tyrrell Racing achieved what many would consider impossible: building a Formula One dynasty from a modest wooden shed in Surrey. Measuring just 20 by 69 feet, this unassuming structure became the nerve center for a team that rewrote the rules of racing success. While their rivals operated from expansive facilities, Tyrrell proved that ingenuity and execution mattered more than the size of a workshop.
Matra Partnership and Early Triumphs
Tyrrell’s fortunes took a dramatic turn in 1968 when they partnered with French manufacturer Matra. Matra supplied the chassis, while Tyrrell’s team handled everything else - strategy, logistics, race preparation, and driver management. It was a collaboration that set the stage for greatness.
The return of driver Jackie Stewart, working again with his former mentor Ken Tyrrell, brought immediate success. In their first Formula One season together, Stewart notched three Grand Prix victories and finished second in the championship standings. Despite its small size, the shed functioned as the team’s operations hub, where every detail of their racing efforts was meticulously planned.
The breakthrough came in 1969. Stewart dominated the season with six wins, clinching both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ championships. This remarkable achievement, just two years into Tyrrell’s Formula One journey, solidified their reputation as a force to be reckoned with. The shed housed everything needed to maintain and develop their cars, from welding and fabrication to trim work, proving that greatness could emerge from even the humblest of settings.
When Matra exited Formula One in 1970 to focus on road car production with Simca, Tyrrell faced a daunting challenge. They had drivers, tires, and sponsorship - but no chassis. Rather than rely on another supplier, Ken Tyrrell made a bold move: he hired engineer Derek Gardner to design the team’s first in-house chassis, the Tyrrell 001. The entire project was carried out in secret within the shed’s walls. This decision marked a turning point, laying the groundwork for future technical advancements.
The gamble paid off. Stewart claimed the championship in 1971 driving Tyrrell-built machinery and repeated the feat in 1973. Remarkably, every championship-winning car bearing the Tyrrell name between 1968 and 1976 was crafted in that same wooden shed. Its compact space demanded efficiency and fostered close teamwork, giving Tyrrell a competitive edge.
Innovation from Within
Tyrrell’s success wasn’t just about winning races - it was about how they did it. The shed became a hub of engineering creativity, where limited resources drove inventive solutions to complex problems. Its tight quarters meant engineers, mechanics, and fabricators worked shoulder to shoulder, enabling rapid prototyping and near-instant feedback on designs.
Perhaps the most striking example of the shed’s innovative spirit was the creation of the six-wheeled Tyrrell P34. This groundbreaking design, featuring four small front wheels instead of the usual two, was developed entirely in secret within the shed. The P34 remains the only six-wheeled car to ever compete in Formula One, showcasing how constraints can fuel bold ideas.
Despite its size, the shed was organized to maximize productivity. The fabrication shop handled chassis construction, the welding department managed frame assembly, and the trim department took care of final touches. This setup allowed multiple projects to move forward simultaneously, even during the most demanding development periods. When deadlines loomed, the team worked in shifts to keep progress steady around the clock.
As Tyrrell Racing grew in the 1970s, expanding its staff and facilities, the shed remained central to the team’s identity. A new purpose-built factory was constructed next door, but Ken Tyrrell ensured the original structure wasn’t left behind. Instead, it was repurposed for specialized fabrication and welding work, continuing to play a vital role well into the 1980s. The shed had become more than just a workspace - it was a symbol of the craftsmanship and innovation that defined Tyrrell Racing.
The numbers tell the story. Between 1968 and 1976, every championship-winning Tyrrell car was born in that shed. With a small but highly skilled team, they produced multiple race cars each year while simultaneously developing new designs and maintaining their existing fleet. Their success wasn’t about having the biggest operation - it was about having the right people and an environment that encouraged experimentation and excellence.
Challenges and Decline: The Shed's Role in Difficult Times
The 1980s marked a turning point for Tyrrell Racing. Formula One was no longer a playground where creativity and tight budgets could level the field. Instead, it was becoming a battleground dominated by teams with massive technological resources. The same humble shed that once produced championship-winning cars now struggled to keep up with factory-backed giants.
Adapting to Turbocharged Competition
The turbocharged engine era was a massive hurdle for Tyrrell. While competitors funneled millions into cutting-edge turbo systems, advanced fuel management, and state-of-the-art infrastructure, Tyrrell couldn't match those financial commitments. Transitioning to turbo power wasn't just about swapping engines - it required rethinking everything from chassis design to cooling systems and aerodynamics. For a team still operating out of a modest shed, this was an uphill battle.
By the late 1980s, Tyrrell's limited resources were evident on the track. The Tyrrell 011, which managed two Grand Prix wins, only lasted a single full season in 1982. Meanwhile, other teams had the luxury of refining and evolving successful designs over several years. The Tyrrell 017 highlighted the growing gap - it lacked sufficient wind tunnel testing, putting it at a severe disadvantage against rivals who could spend weeks fine-tuning their aerodynamic setups. Tyrrell’s historic shed, once a hub of innovation, now had to be repurposed to make the most of what little the team had.
The Shed's Evolving Role
With money tight, Tyrrell adapted the shed to focus on specialized tasks. When a new factory was built next door in the mid-1970s, the shed was reimagined as a space for welding, fabrication, and trim work. This shift symbolized the team's broader struggle: rather than investing in cutting-edge facilities, they had to make do with what was already available.
In the 1990s, there were occasional glimpses of the old Tyrrell brilliance. Drivers like Jean Alesi, Stefano Modena, and Mark Blundell managed to secure a few podium finishes. But these moments of success were fleeting, overshadowed by the growing dominance of better-funded teams. It became clear that even talent and determination couldn't bridge the widening gap between Tyrrell and the sport's frontrunners.
The End of an Era: Sale to BAR
In 1997, Ken Tyrrell made the difficult decision to sell Tyrrell Racing to British American Racing (BAR). This marked the end of the shed's storied role in Formula One. The team moved from its long-time home in Ockham, Surrey - where the shed had stood for over 70 years - to a new facility in Brackley. The shed, once central to Tyrrell's identity, was retired from active racing duties.
The sale set off a chain of transformations. British American Racing eventually became Honda, then Brawn GP, and ultimately evolved into the Mercedes Formula One team. Today, Mercedes stands as a dominant force in the sport, operating out of state-of-the-art facilities that are worlds apart from Tyrrell's humble beginnings. The sale not only ended Tyrrell's journey but also marked the close of the garagista era, where independent teams like Tyrrell could thrive.
After the sale, the shed was left empty - a quiet reminder of decades of racing history. Once alive with the sounds of innovation and determination, it now waits for its next chapter as a preserved piece of motorsport heritage.
Preserving History: The Shed's Legacy at Goodwood
For decades, the unassuming shed played a crucial role in the story of Tyrrell Racing. But as time marched on, its future became uncertain. Recognizing its importance as a piece of Formula One history, Goodwood Motor Circuit stepped in to ensure its survival.
Relocation to Goodwood
Originally located in Ockham, Surrey, this modest wooden structure stood for over 70 years, witnessing the creation of championship-winning Formula One cars. Measuring 20 feet by 69 feet (6 meters by 21 meters), the shed was more than just a building - it was the birthplace of innovation and engineering brilliance that defined Tyrrell Racing’s success.
Goodwood took on the monumental task of preserving this piece of motorsport history. The shed was carefully dismantled, each part cataloged, and then restored before being reassembled at Hurricane Lawn within the Goodwood Motor Circuit. This wasn’t just about relocating a structure - it was about preserving the essence of a workspace where ingenuity thrived, often on a shoestring budget.
The restoration team meticulously recreated the shed’s 1970s setup, complete with its welding, fabrication, and trim departments. Inside, visitors can now see the Tyrrell 001 and Tyrrell 008 cars, standing as symbols of the craftsmanship and innovation that once filled the space.
In 2024, the shed made its debut at the 81st Goodwood Members' Meeting, hosted by Audrain Motorsport. Lord March envisioned it as more than just a historical exhibit; he saw it as a place to inspire the next generation. By connecting the shed’s story to STEM education, its legacy continues to motivate students to embrace creativity and problem-solving, proving that great ideas can come from the humblest beginnings.
The Spirit of Tyrrell Racing
The preservation of the shed goes beyond protecting a physical structure - it’s about keeping the spirit of Tyrrell Racing alive. Ken Tyrrell’s team showed the world that success didn’t require massive factories or endless resources. Instead, it came down to vision, determination, and engineering ingenuity.
This small workshop produced some of Formula One’s most daring designs, including the six-wheeled Tyrrell P34, a car that broke convention and captured the imagination of motorsport fans worldwide. It represents the garagista ethos - a time when resourcefulness and creativity could outshine financial might.
The legacy of Tyrrell Racing didn’t end with the team. After Ken Tyrrell sold the organization in 1998, it evolved into British American Racing (BAR), then Honda, and eventually Brawn GP, before becoming the powerhouse Mercedes Formula One team we know today. The principles of innovation and excellence that began in that shed continue to shape the sport.
The shed also serves as a reminder of Jackie Stewart’s legacy with Tyrrell. His championship-winning career provided him with the platform to advocate for improved safety standards in Formula One, transforming the sport’s culture and regulations for the better.
Now standing proudly at Goodwood, the shed offers visitors a glimpse into one of motorsport’s most extraordinary stories. It’s a tribute to an era when creativity and determination turned a simple wooden structure into a birthplace for champions, proving that greatness often starts in the most unassuming places.
Conclusion
Tyrrell's Shed remains one of Formula One's most iconic stories, proving how humble beginnings can lead to extraordinary achievements in motorsport. Originally a wartime shelter, the shed was purchased by the Tyrrell family for just £50 to serve as storage for a timber yard. But instead of fading into obscurity, this modest 20-by-69-foot structure became the birthplace of a racing dynasty that would leave an indelible mark on the sport.
In 1958, Ken Tyrrell turned the shed into a Formula 3 workshop, showing that success stems from vision and determination rather than lavish facilities. Every championship-winning Tyrrell car - whether it was Jackie Stewart’s title-winning machines in 1971 and 1973 or the daring six-wheeled P34 - was crafted in this unassuming space. It stands as proof that great ideas and innovative engineering can emerge even from the simplest of settings. The shed's legacy is not just about trophies; it’s about the ingenuity and resourcefulness that defined an era of Formula One.
When Tyrrell sold his team in 1997, it marked the start of a new chapter. The team evolved through various forms - British American Racing, Honda, Brawn GP, and eventually Mercedes. Today, Mercedes is a dominant force in F1, but its DNA still carries the spirit of those early garagistas who thrived on creativity and problem-solving.
Now preserved at Goodwood Motor Circuit, Tyrrell's Shed serves as more than just a historical artifact. It has been lovingly restored and transformed into an educational space, inspiring STEM students and aspiring engineers with its rich history. For over 70 years, this unassuming structure stood in Ockham, Surrey, and today it continues to inspire future generations. It’s a powerful reminder that vision, ingenuity, and determination - not just resources - are what truly create champions. Greatness, after all, can emerge from the most unexpected places.
FAQs
What role did Tyrrell's Shed play in creating groundbreaking designs like the six-wheeled Tyrrell P34?
Tyrrell's Shed wasn’t just a workshop - it was the birthplace of some of Formula One’s boldest designs, including the legendary six-wheeled Tyrrell P34. Though modest in appearance, this unassuming shed became a hub of creativity where engineers and designers dared to think differently, blending resourcefulness with sheer ingenuity.
The P34, unveiled in 1976, perfectly captured the spirit of innovation that defined the space. Its radical design, featuring four small front wheels, was aimed at boosting aerodynamics and improving tire grip - an unconventional idea that turned heads across the racing world. Tyrrell's Shed remains a powerful reminder that groundbreaking ideas often emerge from the most unpretentious places.
How did Ken Tyrrell's leadership contribute to Tyrrell Racing's success and the rise of talents like Jackie Stewart?
Ken Tyrrell played a pivotal role in the rise of Tyrrell Racing, leaving an indelible mark on the team’s success. With a hands-on leadership style and an exceptional talent for spotting potential, he cultivated a team environment built on collaboration and forward-thinking. One of his greatest strengths was recognizing and developing gifted drivers, with Jackie Stewart being a standout example.
Under Tyrrell’s leadership, Jackie Stewart flourished, securing three Formula One World Championships. Tyrrell’s emphasis on fostering strong relationships and creating a supportive atmosphere for both drivers and engineers was a driving force behind the team’s early victories and its lasting impact on motorsport history.
Why is Tyrrell's Shed at Goodwood Motor Circuit considered an iconic symbol of motorsport innovation?
Tyrrell's Shed, nestled within the Goodwood Motor Circuit, is more than just a relic of the past - it’s a testament to how modest beginnings can spark incredible success in motorsport. This unpretentious building was where Tyrrell Racing was born, a team that would go on to reshape Formula One with bold engineering and inventive ideas.
By preserving this shed, Goodwood pays tribute to the remarkable legacy of Tyrrell Racing while igniting inspiration in future engineers, designers, and racing fans. It stands as a living piece of F1 history, proving that creativity and determination can flourish even in the most unassuming places.
