The Brighton Speed Trials, in full The Brighton National Speed Trials, is commonly held to be the oldest running motor race.[1] The first race was held 19–22 July 1905 after Sir Harry Preston persuaded Brighton town council to tarmac the surface of the road adjacent to the beach between the Palace Pier and Black Rock to hold motor racing events. This stretch was renamed Madeira Drive in 1909 and the event is still held there, normally on the second Saturday of September each year. In 1936 Motor Sport described the event as: "undoubtedly the most important speed-trials on the British Calendar."[2]
Following a fatal motorcycle combination crash in 2012 Brighton & Hove City Council considered banning the event. However, on 23 January 2014 the Economic Development and Culture Committee voted in favour of the event continuing. It was discontinued in 2024 due to high costs.
History
The Brighton National Speed Trials is commonly held to be the oldest running motor race.[3] The first race was held 19–22 July 1905 after Sir Harry Preston persuaded Brighton town council to tarmac the surface of the road adjacent to the beach between the Palace Pier and Black Rock to hold motor racing events. This stretch was renamed Madeira Drive in 1909 and the event is still held there, normally on the second Saturday of September each year. In 1936 Motor Sport described the event as: "undoubtedly the most important speed-trials on the British Calendar."[4]
Interruptions
The first event, July 1905
The first speed trial, called the "Brighton Motor Trials", was held in July 1905, but because of the cost and opposition from ratepayers, it was not held again until 1923.
A police ban of racing on public roads interrupted activity from 1925–1931, but because Madeira Drive was a private road owned by the council it was eventually exempt from the ban.
The Speed Trials were not run between 1939–1945 due to World War II. The 1939 event had been scheduled for 23 September.[5]
In 1969 the fuel crisis led to the cancellation of this year's event.[6]Autocar reported in 1970: "Last year this traditional event did not take place because the condition of the road surface was thought unsuitable for the more powerful sprint cars."[7]
In 2013 the council declined the club's application to run the event following a fatal accident in 2012. Following a Save Brighton Speed Trails campaign the event was reinstated in 2014.
The first announcement that a dragster would race in Brighton came from Wally Parks, in an editorial in Hot Rod Magazine in August 1958. Parks had nominated Calvin Rice to travel from the USA to England with the Hot Rod Magazine Special for the speed trials. In the event the trip was aborted.[8]
In 1961 Sydney Allard built the Allard dragster in the UK[9] and its first competitive appearance was at the Brighton Speed Trials on 2 September 1961. A new track record over the kilometre was anticipated but a fuel line ruptured caused a misfire and a time of 37.91 secs. Hot Rod Magazine reported: "During warmup it backfired and blew off one set of blower pipes and never got going."[10] The reputation of the car never fully recovered, and Bill Boddy, editor of Motor Sport, called it a fiasco,[11] saying the mechanical problems had also occurred in testing at Boreham. The Autocar described the Allard dragster as a "gallant failure."[12]
At Brighton on 15 September 1962 the Allard dragster clocked two runs at 22.30 and 22.04 seconds. A respectable performance but no outright win or record. Motor Sport reported: "It appears that before the end of the Brighton kilometre the Allard dragster had burst the pipe between supercharger and engine, a common problem with such an installation and the reason why the Americans bolt their blowers on the engine, eliminating a long induction pipe."[13]
Sydney Allard was joined on 14 September 1963, by Dante Duce in Dean Moon's Mooneyes gas dragster[14] and Mickey Thompson with his Ford-powered Harvey Aluminum Special for some match-race style action. It was not to be. The American cars were not really suited to the kilometre, and there were no clocks for a quarter-mile distance. They had no brakes at the front and parachute brakes at the rear, no rear suspension, and advertising on the bodywork. All of this was enough to give the scrutineers (technical inspectors) fits. The cars did demonstrations only, reduced to burnouts and wheelstands, but left a lasting impression on the crowd. The Allard dragster put two rods through the block on Madeira Drive that day.[15] The Worden dragster of Tony Densham and Harry Worrall, a budget effort powered by a Shorrock-supercharged 1,500 c.c. Ford engine, was entered in the 1,101 to 1,500 c.c. racing car class, and, although not geared for the kilometre, finished second to Patsy Burt, in a time of 27.86 sec.[16] Densham would later set the British land speed record at Elvington in the Ford-powered Commuter dragster.
The canny Duce returned in 1964 with the Moonbeam modified sports car, which at least looked like a traditional European sporty car, but with a drag race and Bonneville heritage. The car as raced in Brighton was fitted with a 375-cubic inch supercharged Chevrolet V8 engine and a Devin bodyshell,[17] and was originally built in 1959.[18] Dante Duce also borrowed an A.C. Shelby Cobra, chassis number CSX2345, from John Wyer, and entered it in the GT class,[19] car number 110 at Brighton.[20]
Duce cleaned up that day winning overall in the Moonbeam in a time of 21.95 sec, and first in Sports and GT cars over 2,500 c.c., in the Cobra roadster in 24.35 sec.[21]
Soon Brighton started holding dragster demonstrations over the quarter mile. In 1972 Clive Skilton produced an 8.18 sec run in his rear-engined Chrysler dragster.[22] In 1973 Dennis Priddle ran a smoky 7.69 sec quarter mile in his front-motored Chrysler dragster, which remains the quickest quarter yet seen on Brighton seafront. Motor Sport reported: "The sheer bravery and courage of the West Country lad as the Dragster accelerated along the bumpy, cambered road, brought forth the most incredible spontaneous round of applause heard at a motoring event for many years."[23] It is said that the local police chief came to Priddle after the run and said "That was that most amazing thing I have ever seen and there's no way I am going to let you do it again!"[24]
The dragsters were getting too quick for Brighton and there were concerns about how to deal with fires involving exotic fuels. They faded from the scene with only occasional wins by drag-race type vehicles, such as Shaun Saunders (2000) and Paul Marston (2001, 2002).
Current events
The event is currently run as a quarter mile sprint for both cars and motorcycles, held under the auspices of the Motor Sports Association. The event is organised by the Brighton and Hove Motor Club, with the Sprint Section of the Vintage Motorcycle Club in charge of the Motorcycles. Entrants run individually, although in earlier days vehicles would race side by side. This practice was stopped following a number of accidents. The course length has varied over the years, generally becoming shorter to keep terminal speeds manageable as cars have got faster. The speed trials form a unique event, where vintage and exotic classics meet the latest in street and racing cars. Public access is allowed to the paddock and startline 'funnel' allowing visitors to get much closer to the action than at most events.
Following a fatal motorcycle combination crash in 2012 Brighton & Hove City Council considered banning the event. However, on 23 January 2014 the Economic Development and Culture Committee voted in favour of the event continuing, after a petition of more than 12,000 signatures was presented.
In 2024 the event was discontinued with losses being cited as the reason.[25]
Timetable of events
Times are approximate.
Time
Event
0900-1130
Practice
1130–1300
Morning timed runs
1300–1400
Interval
1400–1800
Afternoon timed runs
1800–1900
Top six runoffs for cars and bikes
1900
Results declared and award presentation
Classes of cars
Handicap – Roadgoing cars of any type
Class 1 – Roadgoing and modified production cars up to 1400cc
Class 2 – Roadgoing and modified production cars over 1400cc and up to 2000cc
Class 3 – Roadgoing and modified production cars over 2000cc and up to 3500cc
Class 4 – Roadgoing and modified production cars over 3500cc
Class 5 – Clubmans
Class 6 – Sports Libre cars up to 1300cc
Class 7 – Sports Libre cars over 1300cc and up to 1600cc
Class 8 – Sports Libre cars over 1600cc
Class 9 – Racing cars up to 500cc
Class 10 – Racing cars over 500cc and up to 1100cc
Class 11 – Racing cars over 1100cc and up to 1600cc
Class 12 – Racing cars over 1600cc and up to 2000cc
Class 13 – Racing and Sports cars constructed on or before 31 December 1959
Results
Track record
Car
1993, John Gray, SPA Judd V10, standing start 1/4-mile 8.90s
Bike
2009, Roger Simmons, Suzuki Hayabusa Turbo, standing start 1/4-mile 8.73s
Fastest Recorded 64ft Launch Time (Car) Laurie Hatchard Dax Rush Quadra 5 Litre V8 Special 1.61 Seconds 2022
Fastest time of the day
These are the fastest car times recorded on the day for each year.
^Hot Rod Magazine, September 1961, Pages 62–63; For a photograph of Mooneyes at the Brighton Speed Trials see Motor Sport, October 1963, Centre Spread; Car in the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, Ocala, Florida, (2010).
^Autocar, 20 September 1963, Pages 543–544; For a photograph of the Worden dragster at the Brighton Speed Trials see Motor Sport, October 1963, Centre Spread.
^The Manchester Guardian, 21 July 1905, Page 12. Earp won the Daily Mail Challenge Cup.
^The Light Car and Cyclecar, 20 July 1923, Page 238: "...on each side of the half-mile course..."; Motor Sport, April 1955, Page 191: "Sprint Results of the Nineteen-Twenties" also lists the course as half-mile. Two later references state that racing was on a quarter-mile course viz: T.R. Nicholson, Sprint – Speed Hillclimbs and Speed Trials in Britain: 1899–1925, David & Charles, 1969, Page 208; Car facts and feats: a record of everyday motoring and automotive achievement, edited by Anthony Harding, Doubleday & Co., N.Y., 1971, Pages 140–141. The contemporary reference and Motor Sport are relied upon here.
^The Light Car and Cyclecar, 20 July 1923, Page 238: "A.-C. MAKES FAST TIME"; The Autocar, 20 July 1923; Brighton & Hove Herald, 21 July 1923; Motor Sport, April 1955, Page 191: "Sprint Results of the Nineteen-Twenties" lists the overall winner on 14 July 1923 as J.A. Joyce (A.C.). The event was restricted to cars up to 1,500 c.c. and run as a knockout competition in six classes. J.A. Joyce won the top class for cars up to 1,500 c.c. of any type. No times were published. See also: Motor Sport, November 1962, Page 903; T.R. Nicholson, Sprint – Speed Hillclimbs and Speed Trials in Britain: 1899–1925, David & Charles, 1969, Page 208: "Joyce's time (not quoted) was fastest of the day and gave him the 1,500 cc class."
^Motor Sport, November 1962, Page 901; T.R. Nicholson, Sprint – Speed Hillclimbs and Speed Trials in Britain: 1899–1925, David & Charles, 1969, Page 234; Car facts and feats: a record of everyday motoring and automotive achievement, edited by Anthony Harding, Doubleday & Co., N.Y., 1971, Pages 140–141. For an obituary of G.N. Norris see: Motor Sport, November 1926, Page 146.
^The Brooklands Gazette, December 1924, Page 248: For a photograph of J.A. Joyce.
^The Motor, 9 September 1924, Page 250; The Light Car and Cyclecar, 12 September 1924, Page 486; The Autocar, 12 September 1924, Page 469; The Brooklands Gazette, October 1924, Page 168.
^"Obituary: Sir Malcolm Campbell". Motor Sport: Page 33. February 1949.
^The Autocar, 10 September 1954, Page 367; Motor Sport, October 1954, Pages 560–561.
^The Autocar, 9 September 1955, Page 362; Motor Sport, October 1955, Pages 602, 623; Motor Racing, October 1955, Page 400.
^Motor Sport, October 1955, Pages 600–601; The Motor Year Book 1957, Temple Press, Page 203.
^Autosport, 13 September 1957, Pages 326–327; The Autocar, 13 September 1957, Pages 376–377; Motor Sport, October 1957, Page 578. The winning car was registered TNK 500.
^The Autocar, 11 September 1959, Page 191: FTD Cooper (A.Owen)
23.5 sec 95.1 m.p.h.
Motor Sport, October 1959, Page 795:
"During the racing car classes in the afternoon Arthur Owen proved to have the fastest
car present by streaking down the Madeira Drive in 23.50 sec., an average speed of 95.1 m.ph."
Motor Racing, October 1959, Page 368:
"the best that the four-wheelers could achieve was a brisk 23.50 by Arthur Owen in
the 2-litre Cooper-Climax, very close to the Car Record of 23.34,.."
^The Autocar, 20 September 1963, Pages 543–544; Motor Sport, October 1963, Page 770.
^Road & Track, November 1964, Pages 52–56. The car raced in Brighton was fitted with a 375-cubic inch supercharged Chevrolet engine and a
Devin bodyshell. Now in the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, Ocala, Florida.
^Autosport, 16 September 2004, Page 102. Jim Tiller, Allard J2, FTD in 10.20sec (140mph). "Richard Lee won the top six run-off in his Metro 6R4 with a time of 10.34sec (133mph)."
^Autosport, 17 September 2009, Page 81:
MIKE ENDEAN'S Gould Xtrac Ford
Puma won the annual Brighton Speed
trials for the second year in succession
last weekend. Endean won the event with
a 9.63s (142mph) effort in his 700bhp
twin-turbo machine, beating the
10.01s (136mph) run of Steven Broughton
in his wingless SBD/OMS CF08.
(Complete report.)
^The Autocar, 11 September 1959, Page 191; Motor Sport, October 1959, Page 795. For a photograph of Basil Keys at Brighton see Motor Sport, January 1960, Page 39.
^The Motor, 23 September 1967, Pages 96–97; Motor Sport, October 1967, Page 903, credits Phil Manzano, Torquemada I 500 c.c., with B.T.D. in 20.81 sec, but see Motor Sport, January 1968, Page 13, for correction.
For a photograph of Noel Pope on his blown Brough see: Motor Sport, November 1946, Page 248. For a technical description of Pope's Brough see: Motor Sport, February 1948, Page 51.
Bibliography
Split Seconds – My Racing Years, Raymond Mays "ghosted" by Dennis May, G.T. Foulis & Co. Ltd. 1952. 306 pages.
Sprint: Speed Hillclimbs and Speed Trials in Britain: 1899–1925, T.R. Nicholson, (Timothy Robin), 1930–, Newton Abbot, David & Charles, 1969.
Richard Shuttleworth: An Illustrated Biography, Kevin Desmond, Jane’s Publishing Co Ltd., 1982.
The Brighton National Speed Trials in the 1960s, 1970s & 1980s (2004) Tony Gardiner, Veloce Publishing ISBN1-903706-88-2.
External links
Brighton and Hove Motor Club Website. "Home Page", www.brightonandhovemotorclub.co.uk
Vintage Motorcycle Club Sprint Section Website – Many Images of Motorcycles at Brighton throughout the years. "Home Page", www.vmccsprint.co.uk