20 replies to this topic

[AJB2]

Brighton & Hove Motor Club announced recently that 2023 will be the last running of these trials, which first started in 1905. The club said a mix of factors, including the restoration of Madeira Terrace and safety concerns which sparked the loss of the motorbike aspect of the trials, had meant the club had been running the event at a loss for years.

 

A very sad day.

[marksixman]

Sad news indeed, as a former member of B&HMC, a former competitor, and former local resident.

 

I suspect that yet another event has been lost ultimately to "elf an safety" concerns, and I doubt that it could have continued as a "Speed Show" even without a competitive element ?

 

Some great images, and great memories, exist, and for that we must be grateful.

 

RIP Brighton Speed Trials.

[MCS]

Another sad reflection of where we are today.

 

News piece from Marcus Pye, who competed there as far as I know: https://www.autospor...costs/10568792/

[D-Type]

I think this was almost inevitable once the Green Party won control of the Brighton & Hove Council.

[Vitesse2]

As an aside, we can probably thank the Brighton Speed Trials for the photographs of Robert Fellowes, whose childhood home was well within earshot of the startline. It would be remarkable if his enthusiasm for motor sport was not at least partly kindled by the sound of racing cars echoing through Brighton's streets - not to mention the proximity of the Lewes Speed Trials course as well.

 

Another sad reflection of where we are today.

Inevitable in our increasingly risk-averse and litigious society, I suppose. Although unlike Duncan I'm not sure the Greens are to blame for the event's demise. As Marcus notes, it's run at a loss for several years and there's also a big insurance claim still pending.
 

[Sterzo]

The organising club's reasons, from the Autosport article:

 

"Reduced revenue, ranged against steeply rising costs, were blamed for the event’s axing. The reduction in paying spectator attendance since the terraces above the course and arches were closed in 2013 hit council and club accounts, while the worsening road surface and necessity to install and remove costly safety barrier infrastructure for one day has resulted in entries dwindling."

 

“Despite Brighton & Hove Council’s help, the new road layouts, the closing of the terraces, and the enormous cost involved in providing required safety measures, the committee had to make the heartbreaking decision that the 2023 event was the last.

“The club has [run it] at a loss for a number of years and cannot continue to do so.”

[AJB2]

I think this was almost inevitable once the Green Party won control of the Brighton & Hove Council.

Overall control reverted to Labour in the May 2023 elections. Not that it made much difference, with the introduction of "Bus Gates" and two-lane carriageways with one lane turned into a cycle lane. It's a hateful place for motorists.

[Michael Ferner]

But probably delightful for those who live there.

[pete53]

It is sad to see it go, but the event has, over the years, lost some of its attraction. When I first moved to Brighton I think the 1 kilometre course was still in use, and two cars started the run simultaneously. In the end it was reduced a quarter mile and one car at a time.

 

I have attached a photo of some of the Speed Trial programmes I have. They are from a time when there was a huge variety of cars competing with drivers from not just a sprinting background, but also hill climbers, circuit racers and local club members. There was even a briefish period when dragsters appeared. Among the names appearing in the programmes shown are Roy Salvadori, Stirling Moss , Mike Parkes, Mike Salmon, Patsy Burt , Tony Marsh, Ken Tyrell, Roger Clark, local garage proprietor Ian Raby, and many more.

 

Edited by pete53, 27 January 2024 - 10:28.

[fyrth]

Sadly one of the gigs I never made the effort to enter, I am sad that it is no more. There was always great enthusiasm from both Brighton & Hove and the competitors, apart from the vast number of spectators.

 

Reading the reflections regarding that state of Brighton's seafront this is sadly another example of the deterioration of the UK, supposidly a first world country but more and more reflecting third world standards. 

[AJB2]

But probably delightful for those who live there.

In the 1800s, when it was a rather exclusive seaside retreat for the wealthy, yes. Nowadays, it's a dump.

[john aston]

Sadly one of the gigs I never made the effort to enter, I am sad that it is no more. There was always great enthusiasm from both Brighton & Hove and the competitors, apart from the vast number of spectators.

 

Reading the reflections regarding that state of Brighton's seafront this is sadly another example of the deterioration of the UK, supposidly a first world country but more and more reflecting third world standards. 

I struggle to understand why the cancellation of a speed event reflects "Third World standard"s .  Disappointing perhaps but hardly indicative of a risk of our turning into Afghanistan or Yemen . I believe they have more pressing challenges . 

[Charlieman]

I struggle to understand why the cancellation of a speed event reflects "Third World standard"s .  Disappointing perhaps but hardly indicative of a risk of our turning into Afghanistan or Yemen . I believe they have more pressing challenges . 

Because it doesn't. The comment was a yack about England's failure to look after public spaces. It was about how the space used for a speed trial declined because England hasn't looked after seaside towns -- for donkey's years. All of England's Victorian splendour is something to look at, not to pay for. (Insert appropriate sympathy for Ireland, Wales, and Scotland.)

[john aston]

Ah - I see the point you are making. Last time I went to  Brighton was 20 years ago , to see a play starring someone we know . Loved it - it was fun, vibrant and buzzing. And what a contrast it was to hell holes like Blackpool, Skegness  and Scarborough ,which have been in  terminal decline for years - I suspect inevitably, given the advent of cheap flights and the disappearance of the industrial communities whose populations once flocked to these resorts. I'm not sure I see a failure to look after them , more the fact that they are anachronisms. But I thought Brighton had succeeded in reinventing itself ? 

[Rupertlt1]

There is a particular problem on Madeira Drive where the cast iron arches which form a walkway, and previously a viewing platform for the Brighton Speed Trials, are falling down. Decades of salt corrosion have done their work.

They have been closed off for years. Hence the trials lost a lot of spectators.

The council have done much to obstruct the Brighton & Hove Motor Club.

The loss of the motorcycles some years ago took away much of the spectacle.

The loss of side-by-side racing was another step in its demise.

The event has been little more than a demonstration for years. Compare the FTDs with Santa Pod.

You could say that the event outgrew the venue. 

Brighton has reinvented itself, but not in good way!

 

RGDS RLT 

Edited by Rupertlt1, 31 January 2024 - 08:17.

[Stephen W]

There is a particular problem on Madeira Drive where the cast iron arches which form a walkway, and previously a viewing platform for the Brighton Speed Trials, are falling down. Decades of salt corrosion have done their work.

They have been closed off for years. Hence the trials lost a lot of spectators.

The council have done much to obstruct the Brighton & Hove Motor Club.

 

Councils up and down the country have chosen not to maintain heritage structures like Brighton's cast iron arches. The money saved being spent on vanity projects and politically correct organisations. Thus when these structures are no longer viable they can be demolished with impunity. 

[FastReader]

Councils up and down the country have chosen not to maintain heritage structures like Brighton's cast iron arches. The money saved being spent on vanity projects and politically correct organisations. Thus when these structures are no longer viable they can be demolished with impunity. 

 

The austerity of the past 14 years means councils "up and down the country" far from choosing not to maintain heritage structures simply don't have the money any more and are going bankrupt. In the current financial climate the Madeira Drive arches are now a "vanity project".

[BRG]

"Private affluence, public squalor"   J.K. Galbraith

[68targa]

Brighton & Hove Council have raised enough funds to make a start on restoring some of the arches.

 

https://www.brighton...ace-restoration

[john aston]

Councils up and down the country have chosen not to maintain heritage structures like Brighton's cast iron arches. The money saved being spent on vanity projects and politically correct organisations. Thus when these structures are no longer viable they can be demolished with impunity. 

 And on frivolities like the vast cost of social care and education. The former especially - and , as usual there is a capped budget but no cap on demand. Iron arches don't feature too highly in priority .  

[Michael Ferner]

Yes, it's sometimes hard being a minority in democracies, especially when money is needed and the majority doesn't see the need.