It all began back in 1905 when Brighton Motor Week took place. The local authority had just resurfaced Madeira Drive with the newly invented Tarmac on which the first runs were made. Due to disputes with the residents over the cost of the resurfacing, the next event didn't occur until after the First World War.

Racing

It was 1923 when the Brighton and Hove Motor Cycle and Light Car Club got things going again with what was intended to be an annual series of races with riders competing against each other along the sea front.

Two such events were held before a ban on motor racing on the public highways came into force, scuppering future competitions. In 1932 the newly formed Brighton and Hove Motor Club dug deeper into the legalities of the situation and discovered that Madeira Drive was in fact owned by the Brighton Corporation and therefore could not be considered a public road. From that year hence - except during the Second World War - the speed trials have taken place annually.

Length

The length of the course used has varied over the years. In 1905 courses of various lengths were used, whilst in 1923 and 1924 a half mile stretch was used. This was extended by 200 yards to bring it up to the half kilometre. With speeds increasing, safety concerns became more of an issue culminating in 1969 when a review of safety prevented the event taking place completely. 1970 saw the quarter mile reinstated with the kilometre restored in 1971. The twelve years from 1980 once again enjoyed the full half mile before safety concerns once again curtailed it to the quarter mile that we see today.

RAC

With safety obviously an issue with such a wealth of horsepower on offer, the events are now run under the regulations of the RAC Motor Sport Association to ensure the necessary precautions are taken.

A whole range of awards given out during the competition for everything for the best overall time, the best time by a lady driver, the best motorcycle time to individual awards for best in a particular type of vehicle, be it Lotus, MG, or pushrod V8.

All in all it's a real spectacle and a rare chance to see such a diverse range of machinery competing together.