Brighton Speed Trials under threat

Nearly 8,000 people have signed a petition to see the Brighton Speed Trials return in 2014. The event, which dates back to 1905, was cancelled last year while an inquest determined the cause of a fatal motorbike crash that occurred in 2012.

Now organisers are urging the local council to give them permission to return to the Speed Trials to Brighton’s Madeira Drive this summer.

On Bing: see pictures of the Brighton Speed Trials

Blind British driver sets new 186mph speed record

Tony Watts, of organisers the Brighton and Hove Motor Club, said:

“We are appealing to motorsport fans, local residents and everyone who enjoys a family day out at the seaside to help us save this historic event. The loss of the Brighton Speed Trials will be the end of an era for Brighton with over 100 years of history and entertainment in the area gone.”

Claimed to be the longest-running motorsport event in the world, the first Brighton Speed Trials took place in 1905 and now sees over 200 cars and motorbikes competing in timed runs.

Entrants range from modern supercars to vintage pre-war cars and even drag bikes. They are divided into categories and timed along a quarter mile straight, with a top six competing to be awarded the title of fastest car or bike at the end of the event.

Sadly, in 2012, motorbike sidecar passenger Charlotte Tagg died when the vehicle she was travelling in hit a dip in the road and veered to the side, smashing into a concrete bollard at around 100mph.

Her family have since called for work to be carried out on the road before the next Speed Trials take place – but said she would be mortified if the event was cancelled.

You can support the Brighton Speed Trials by signing an electronic petition on the Brighton and Hove council website and follow the campaign on Twitter via the account @SaveBST as well as on Facebook. The closing date for the petition is 23 January 2014.

Save Brighton Speed Trials official website

Petition to save Brighton Speed Trials

On Bing: see pictures of the Brighton Speed Trials

Blind British driver sets new 186mph speed record

By motoringresearch.com