Brighton Speed Trials

50°49′01″N 0°07′23″W / 50.817°N 0.123°W / 50.817; -0.123

Brighton Speed Trials
Start Line
Ferrari 308 GT4 at the Start Line in 2008
LocationBrighton, England
Time zoneGMT
OwnerBrighton and Hove Motor Club
Major eventsBrighton Speed Trials
Sprint
Length0.4 km (1/4 miles)
Turns0
Race lap record9.38 secs (John Siggery, Geronimo Dragster, 1971)

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]

The event was 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.

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.

Notable people

Miss Dorothy Levitt and her 80 hp Napier, 1905
For other listings, see Brighton Speed Trials people.

The Dragster Era

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.

Year Driver Vehicle Time Notes
Flying Start Kilometre
1905 Clifford Earp Napier 90 hp 23s[26] 19–22 July.
Standing Start 1/2 Mile[27]
1923 J.A. Joyce AC [28] 14 July.
1924 Standing Start 1/4 Mile
G.N. Norris Morgan 16.4s[29] 25 May.
Standing Start 1/2 Mile
J.A. Joyce[30] AC 28s[31] 6 Sept.
Standing Start 1/2 Mile
1932 Sir Malcolm Campbell[32] Sunbeam Tiger S/C 23.6s R[33] 17 Sep, very fine. "Pathe News Clip",
1933 Whitney Straight Maserati 24.2s[34] 16 Sep, very wet.
1934 R. O. Shuttleworth Bugatti Type 51 S/C 23.8s[35] 15 Sep, fine.
1935 R. O. Shuttleworth Alfa Romeo P3 Tipo B S/C 22.68s R[36] 14 Sep, fine.
1936 S. E. Cummings Vauxhall-Villiers S/C[37] 22.90s[38] 26 Sep, wet.
1937 Geoffrey Taylor Alta 22.84s[39] 25 Sep, wet.
1938 Geoffrey Taylor Alta 1960 c.c. S/C 22.45s R[40] 2 July.
Standing Start Kilometre
1946 Raymond Mays ERA R4D 24.47s R[41] 7 Sep, fine.
1947 Raymond Mays ERA R4D 24.27s R[42] 1 Sep, fine.
1948 Raymond Mays ERA R4D 23.86s R[43] 4 Sep, fair, no motorcycles.[44]
1949 Archie Butterworth[45] A.J.B. 24.91s[46] 3 Sep, very fine.
1950 Raymond Mays ERA R4D 24.40s[47] 2 Sep, fine.
1951 Archie Butterworth A.J.B. 26.63s[48] 1 Sep, dry morning, wet afternoon.
1952 Ted Lloyd-Jones Triangle Flying Saucer 21-litre 23.91s[49] 6 Sep, fine.
1953 Ted Lloyd-Jones Triangle Flying Saucer 21-litre 24.55s[50] 5 Sept.
1954 Ken Wharton ERA R4D 23.63s R[51] 4 Sep, wet morning, dry afternoon.
1955 Ken Wharton ERA R4D 23.99s[52] 3 Sep, fine and dry.
1956 Ken Wharton ERA R4D 23.34s R[53] 1 Sept.
1957 Bill Sadler Sadler Special-Chevrolet 25.44s[54] 7 Sep, dry morning, wet afternoon.
1958 Jim Berry ERA Special 25.01s[55] 6 Sep, fine.
1959 Arthur Owen Cooper-Climax 2-litre 23.50s[56] 5 Sep, fine.
1960 Jim Berry Cooper-ERA S/C 23.21s R[57] 3 Sep, windy, wet morning, dry afternoon.
1961 Gordon Parker HK Jaguar Special S/C[58] 24.63s[59] 2 Sep, fine.
1962 Chris Summers Cooper F2-Chevrolet[60] 21.69s R[61] 15 Sep, sunny.
1963 Ken Wilson BRM 23.10s[62] 14 Sep, sunny.
1964 Dante Duce Moonbeam-Chevrolet S/C[63] 21.95s[64] 12 Sept.
1965 Chris Summers Lotus 24-Chevrolet 21.56s R[65] 11 Sep, intermittent showers.
1966 Chris Summers Lotus 24-Chevrolet 20.70s R[66] 17 Sep, sunny.
1967 John Woolfe[67] AC Cobra 7-litre 22.51s[68] 16 Sep, dry, calm, overcast.
1968 Patsy Burt[69] McLaren M3A-Oldsmobile 20.21s R[70] 14 Sep, wet morning.
1969 No event
Standing Start 1/4 Mile
1970 Gerry Tyack Brabham BT23 12.89s R 12 Sept.
Standing Start Kilometre
1971 Johnty Williamson Cooper T81B F1-1-67-Chrysler V8 7.2-litre 21.05s 11 Sept.
1972 Johnty Williamson McLaren M10B 5.0 litre 22.42s[71]
1973 Bob Rose McLaren-Chevrolet M14D 20.53s[72] 8 Sept.
1974 David Purley Trojan-Chevrolet T101 18.63s R
1975 David Purley Chevron B30-Ford GA V6 3.4-litre 19.70s[73]
1976 David Render Lotus 76-DFV 18.77s[74]
1977 Simon Riley Brabham-DFV BT33 18.28s R[75] 10 Sept.
1978 Dave Harris McRae-Chevrolet GM1 17.48s R[76] 9 Sep, joint fastest.
Terry Smith Brabham-Repco BT36
1979 Terry Smith March-Repco 761 18.82s[77] 8 Sept.
Standing Start 1/2 Mile
1980 Mark Williams Hesketh-DFV 308E 15.49s R[78] 13 Sept.
1981 Terry Smith March-Repco 761 15.73s 12 Sept.
1982 Ken Ayers March-DFV 79S 15.53s[79] 11 Sept.
1983 Ken Ayers March-DFV 79S 16.08s[80] 10 Sept.
1984 Ken Ayers Lyncar-DFL MS84 15.63s[81] 8 Sept.
1985 Ken Ayers Lyncar-DFL MS84 15.64s[82] 14 Sept.
1986 Roy Woodhouse March-Rover 77/82 T/C 18.71s[83] 13 Sept.
1987 Clive Bracey Vebra-Chevrolet 15.29s R[84] 12 Sept.
1988 Clive Bracey Vebra-Chevrolet Mk II 7.6-litre 14.98s R[85] 10 Sept.
1989 Paul Edwards Pilbeam-DFL MP58 14.97s R[86] 9 Sept.
1990 Ken Ayers Pilbeam-DFL MP58 15.32s 8 Sept.
1991 John Gray Pilbeam-DFL MP58 14.48s R 14 Sept.
1992 John Gray SPA Judd V10 14.48s[87] 12 Sept.
Standing Start 1/4 Mile
1993 John Gray SPA Judd V10 8.90s R[88] 11 Sept.
1994 Les Edmunds BRD TS01-Rover 4.5-litre 10.53s[89]
1995 Mike Lee Lyncar 79B-BDG 2.0 litre[90] 10.61s 9 Sept.
1996 David Render Pilbeam-Hart MP43 2.8-litre 9.88s[91]
1997 Peter le Druillenec Miller Exocet-Chevrolet 6.3-litre 10.20s[92]
1998 Richard George Pilbeam MP62 10.68s[93]
1999 Tony Bianchi Pilbeam MP62 10.92s
2000 Shaun Saunders Datsun 240Z-Chevrolet 10.25s[94]
2001 Paul Marston Chrysler PT Cruiser "PT Bruiser" Dragster 10.41s 8 Sept.
2002 Paul Marston Chrysler PT Cruiser "PT Bruiser" Dragster 10.17s 14 Sept.
2003 Philip Cooke Force PC 10.25s
2004 James Tiller Allard J2-Chevrolet 10.20s[95]
2005 Mike Endean Gould Ford Puma T/C 9.45s
2006 James Tiller Allard J2-Chevrolet 10.28s
2007 Chris Cannell Force SR8 2600 c.c. 10.33s
2008 Mike Endean Gould Ford Puma T/C 9.95s
2009 Mike Endean Gould Ford Puma T/C 9.63s[96] 12 Sep, fine.
2010 Mike Endean Gould Ford Puma T/C 10.63[97] 11 Sep, intermittent light rain with short heavy showers.
2011 Rodney Thorne Pilbeam MP 43 10.59 11 Sep, dry morning, wet afternoon.
2012 Rob Stevens Force SR4 10.12 8 Sep, event ended early due to fatal accident.
2014 Rob Stevens Force SR4 9.87 6 Sep, sunny and dry

Key: R = Course Record; S/C = Supercharged; T/C = Turbocharged.

Motorbikes fastest time of the day

Year Rider Motorcycle Time Miles per Hour
(average) 		Notes
Flying Start Kilometre
1905 Henri Cissac Peugeot 12-h.p. twin cylinder 26.0 [98]
Standing Start 1/2-mile
1924 E.W. Spencer Douglas 494 c.c. 26.0 69.2 mph (111.4 km/h) [99] 6 Sept.
1932 R.W. Storey Brough Superior 996 c.c. 22.2 81.08 mph (130.49 km/h) [100]
1933 R.W. Storey Brough Superior 996 c.c. 23.19 77.59 mph (124.87 km/h)
1934 Noel Pope Brough Superior 22.39 80.36 mph (129.33 km/h) [101]
1935 Eric Fernihough Brough Superior J.A.P. 996 c.c. 20.27 R 88.7 mph (142.7 km/h) [102]
1936 E.C. Fernihough Brough S/C 20.00 R 89.86 mph (144.62 km/h) [103]
1937 J. Waite Norton 490 c.c. 25.13 73.20 mph (117.80 km/h)
1938 F. Williams Cotton 496 c.c. 23.22 77.51 mph (124.74 km/h) [104]
Standing Start Kilometre
1946 B. Berry Brough-Superior 28.13 [105]
1947 Bob Berry Brough-Superior 86.17 mph (138.68 km/h) .[106]
1952 G. Brown Vincent 24.71 .[107]
1953 G. Brown Vincent 998 c.c. 24.27 [108]
1954 R. Charlton Vincent 23.57 R [109] Absolute course record.
1955 R. Charlton Vincent-H.R.D. 22.27 100.45 mph (161.66 km/h) [110]
1956 (i) F. Williams Norton-J.A.P. 22.4 [111]
1957
1958 Charlie Rous Vincent streamliner 22.05 101.5 mph (163.3 km/h) [112]
1959 Basil Keys Norton-J.A.P. 21.59 R 103.61 mph (166.74 km/h) [113] Absolute course record.
1960 C. Rous Moto-Vincent 21.67 103.25 mph [114]
1961 Ernie Woods Norton-J.A.P. 21.62 103.49 mph [115]
1962 G. Brown Vincent Special Nero 20.99 R [116] Absolute course record.
1963 George Brown Vincent Special Super Nero 19.29 R 115.96 mph (186.62 km/h) [117]
1964
1965 I. Ashwell Vincent 998 c.c. S/C 21.07 [118]
1966 Ian Ashwell Vincent Satan 19.34 [119]
1967 Ian Ashwell Vincent Satan S/C 19.47 [120]
1968
1969 No event
Standing Start 1/4 Mile
1970 12 Sept.
Standing Start Kilometre
1971 Don East Triumph 711 c.c. Quasimodo 20.05
1972 Mick Butler 20.53 [121]
1973 A. Weeden Triumph 500 c.c. S/C 19.79 [122]
1974 AWeeden Triumph 500 c.c S/C 19.10 170.5 mph
1975 Tony Weeden Triumph 500 c.c. 18.95 173.5 mph [123]
1978 Henk Vink Kawasaki 1,000 c.c. S/C Big Spender III 17.48 R [124]
Standing Start 1/2-mile
1980 A. Weeden Triumph 499 c.c. 16.45 109.42 mph (176.09 km/h)
1982 Pip Higham Suzuki Katana 15.13 R
Standing Start 1/4-mile
1994 Jeff Dowsett Suzuki GSX 1,260 c.c. 9.62 [125]
1995 Dave Holland Suzuki GSXR 1,400 c.c. 9.31 R [126]

1996 Dave Hughes Suzuki GSX 1328 turbo

1997 Dave Hughes Suzuki 1,326 c.c. 9.38 [127]

2000 Dave Hughes Suzuki 1326 turbo / nitrous 9.0 / 151 "R"

2001 Dave Holland 9.25 8 Sept.
2004 Phil Wood Suzuki Katana 8.87
2009 Roger Simmons Suzuki Hayabusa Turbo 8.73 R 12 Sep, fine.
2010 Steve Walton Suzuki GSXR1000 10.60 143 mph (230 km/h) terminal speed 11 Sep, Wet.
2011 Steve Walton Suzuki GSXR1000 10.71 11 Sep, dry morning, wet afternoon.
2012 Craig Mallabone Suzuki Hayabusa Turbo 8.85 8 Sep, event ended early due to fatal accident.
2014 Craig Mallabone Suzuki Hayabusa Turbo 9.07 6 Sep, sunny and dry

Key: R = Course Record; S/C = Supercharged.

See also

References

  1. ^ Brighton and Hove Motor Club
  2. ^ Motor Sport, February 1936, Page 126.
  3. ^ Brighton and Hove Motor Club
  4. ^ Motor Sport, February 1936, Page 126.
  5. ^ Motor Sport, September 1939, Page 276.
  6. ^ The Brighton National Speed Trials in the 1960s, 1970s & 1980s, (2004), Tony Gardiner, Veloce Publishing ISBN 1-903706-88-2, Pages 25–26.
  7. ^ The Autocar, 20 August 1970, Page 28.
  8. ^ Hot Rod Magazine, September 1958.
  9. ^ Car owned by the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, (2010).
  10. ^ Hot Rod Magazine, December 1961, Page 102.
  11. ^ Motor Sport, October 1961, Page 829.
  12. ^ The Autocar, 8 September 1961, Pages 378–379.
  13. ^ Motor Sport, November 1962, Page 866.
  14. ^ 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).
  15. ^ Motor Sport, October 1963, Page 769.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ Road & Track, November 1964, Pages 52–56. Car in the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, Ocala, Florida, (2010).
  18. ^ Hot Rod Magazine, February 1962, Pages 86–89.
  19. ^ Rinsey Mills, AC Cobra, The truth behind the Anglo-American legend, Page 115, Haynes Publishing, 2002, ISBN 1-85960-849-3. Car in the Shelby American Collection, Boulder, Colorado, (2010): http://www.shelbyamericancollection.org/
  20. ^ Brighton Speed Trials programme, 1964, Page 24.
  21. ^ Autocar, 18 September 1964, Pages 549, 576, 579; Motor Sport, October 1963, Pages 769, 770.
  22. ^ Autosport, 14 September 1972, Page 46.
  23. ^ Motor Sport, October 1973, Pages 1136, 1140.
  24. ^ Eurodragster Tributes to Dennis Priddle, April 2021, http://www.eurodragster.com/news/features/dennis_priddle_tribute/default.asp
  25. ^ Pye, Marcus (24 January 2024). "Long-running Brighton Speed Trials event is axed amid rising costs". Autosport. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  26. ^ The Manchester Guardian, 21 July 1905, Page 12. Earp won the Daily Mail Challenge Cup.
  27. ^ 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.
  28. ^ 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."
  29. ^ 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.
  30. ^ The Brooklands Gazette, December 1924, Page 248: For a photograph of J.A. Joyce.
  31. ^ 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.
  32. ^ "Obituary: Sir Malcolm Campbell". Motor Sport: Page 33. February 1949.
  33. ^ Motor Sport, October 1932, Pages 545–546.
  34. ^ Motor Sport, October 1933, Pages 540, 542.
  35. ^ Motor Sport, October 1934, Pages 554–555.
  36. ^ The Observer, 15 September 1935, Page 29.
  37. ^ Motor Sport, January 1937, Pages 46–48; Motor Sport, September 1946, Pages 202–203.
  38. ^ Motor Sport, December 1936, Pages 35–37.
  39. ^ Motor Sport, October 1937, Pages 426–427.
  40. ^ The Autocar, 8 July 1938, Page 86.
  41. ^ Motor Sport, October 1946, Pages 219–223.
  42. ^ Split Seconds – My Racing Years, Raymond Mays "ghosted" by Dennis May, G.T. Foulis & Co. Ltd. 1952, Page 285.
  43. ^ Motor Sport, November 1948, Page 319; Split Seconds – My Racing Years, Raymond Mays "ghosted" by Dennis May, G.T. Foulis & Co. Ltd. 1952, Page 288.
  44. ^ Motor Sport, October 1948, Page 317.
  45. ^ Motor Sport, November 1984, Page 1330: Biography.
  46. ^ Motor Sport, October 1949, Pages 395–396.
  47. ^ Motor Sport, October 1950, Page 493.
  48. ^ The Observer, 2 September 1951, Page 5.
  49. ^ Motor Sport, October 1952, Page 472.
  50. ^ Motor Sport, October 1953, Page 520.
  51. ^ The Autocar, 10 September 1954, Page 367; Motor Sport, October 1954, Pages 560–561.
  52. ^ The Autocar, 9 September 1955, Page 362; Motor Sport, October 1955, Pages 602, 623; Motor Racing, October 1955, Page 400.
  53. ^ Motor Sport, October 1955, Pages 600–601; The Motor Year Book 1957, Temple Press, Page 203.
  54. ^ 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.
  55. ^ Motor Sport, October 1958, Page 689.
  56. ^ 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,.."
  57. ^ The Autocar, 9 September 1960, Page 403.
  58. ^ Motor Sport, September 1960, Page 730.
  59. ^ Motor Sport, October 1961, Page 829.
  60. ^ Motor Sport, October 1962, Page 810.
  61. ^ Motor Sport, October 1962, Page 775.
  62. ^ The Autocar, 20 September 1963, Pages 543–544; Motor Sport, October 1963, Page 770.
  63. ^ 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.
  64. ^ Motor Sport, October 1964, Page 800.
  65. ^ Motor Sport, October 1965, Page 860.
  66. ^ Motor, 24 September 1966; Motor Sport, October 1966, Page 888.
  67. ^ Motor, 28 June 1969, Pages 66–67: Obituary.
  68. ^ Motor Sport, October 1967, Page 903.
  69. ^ Motor Sport, September 1961, Page 729.
  70. ^ The Autocar, 19 September 1968, Pages 18–19; Motor, 28 September 1968, Page 61.
  71. ^ Autosport, 14 September 1972, Page 46: The ex-Sir Nick Williamson hillclimb championship winning car.
  72. ^ Autosport, 13 September 1973, Page 58; Motor Sport, October 1973, Pages 1136, 1140.
  73. ^ Autosport, 18 September 1975, Page 50.
  74. ^ Autosport, 16 September 1976, Page 56.
  75. ^ Autosport, 15 September 1977, Page 53.
  76. ^ Autosport, 21 September 1978, Page 63.
  77. ^ Autosport, 13 September 1979, Page 66. See also: Autosport, 20 September 1979, Page 55.
  78. ^ Autosport, 18 September 1980, Pages 60–61.
  79. ^ Autosport, 16 September 1982, Pages 63–64.
  80. ^ Autosport, 15 September 1983, Page 72.
  81. ^ Autosport, 13 September 1984, Page 65.
  82. ^ Autosport, 19 September 1985, Pages 70–71.
  83. ^ Autosport, 18 September 1986, Page 64.
  84. ^ Autosport, 17 September 1987, Pages 56–57.
  85. ^ Autosport, 15 September 1988, Page 67.
  86. ^ Autosport, 14 September 1989, Pages 60–61.
  87. ^ Autosport, 17 September 1992, Pages 66–67.
  88. ^ Autosport, 16 September 1993, Page 65.
  89. ^ Autosport, 15 September 1994, Page 62.
  90. ^ Autosport, 14 September 1995, Page 99: Ex-Emilio de Villota/Roger Orgee Formula Atlantic car.
  91. ^ Autosport, 19 September 1996, Pages 94, 107.
  92. ^ Autosport, 18 September 1997, Page 99. The Miller Exocet was a modified Chevron B54 Sports 2000 chassis plus Chevrolet motor.
  93. ^ Autosport, 17 September 1998, Page 101.
  94. ^ Autosport, 14 September 2000, Page 111.
  95. ^ 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)."
  96. ^ 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.)
  97. ^ "BHMC 2010 Official Results" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 September 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2010.
  98. ^ The Manchester Guardian, 21 July 1905, Page 12; Sydney Morning Herald, 25 August 1905, Page 11.
  99. ^ The Brooklands Gazette, October 1924, Page 168.
  100. ^ Motor Sport, October 1932, Page 546.
  101. ^ Motor Sport, October 1934, Page 554-555.
  102. ^ Motor Sport, October 1935, Page 542. See also The Observer, 15 September 1935, Page 29.
  103. ^ Motor Sport, December 1936, Page 37. See also 1946 Brighton Speed Trials programme.
  104. ^ For table of pre-war winners see Brighton Speed Trials Programme 1981, 1982.
  105. ^ Motor Sport, October 1946, Page 223.
  106. ^ Motor Sport, October 1947, Page 287.
  107. ^ Motor Sport, October 1952, Page 247.
  108. ^ Motor Sport, October 1953, Page 520.
  109. ^ The Autocar, 10 September 1954, Page 367; Motor Sport, October 1954, Page 561.
  110. ^ The Manchester Guardian, 5 September 1955, Page 2; Motor Sport, October 1955, Page 602.
  111. ^ The Manchester Guardian, 14 May 1956, Page 2.
  112. ^ Motor Sport, October 1958, Page 689.
  113. ^ 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.
  114. ^ Motor Sport, October 1961, Page 823.
  115. ^ Motor Sport, October 1961, Page 829.
  116. ^ Motor Sport, October 1962, Page 775.
  117. ^ The Autocar, 20 September 1963, Page 544 – Quotes previous record as 20.99 sec; Motor Sport, October 1963, Page 769.
  118. ^ Motor Sport, October 1965, Page 860.
  119. ^ Motor Sport, October 1966, Page 888.
  120. ^ 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.
  121. ^ Autosport, 14 September 1972, Page 46.
  122. ^ Motor Sport, October 1973, Pages 1136, 1140.
  123. ^ Autosport, 18 September 1975, Page 50.
  124. ^ Autosport, 21 September 1978, Page 63.
  125. ^ Autosport, 15 September 1994, Page 62.
  126. ^ Autosport, 14 September 1995, Page 99.
  127. ^ Autosport, 18 September 1997, Page 99.
  • 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 ISBN 1-903706-88-2.
  • 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
  • Pistonheads Article on the Speed Trials. "Brighton Speed Trials", Pistonheads.com
  • Gumpert Apollo at the Speed Trials. "Brighton Speed Trials", Evo Magazine Website
  • Pathe News clip from 1932. "Brooklands by the Sea", British Pathe Website