Friday 24th January 2014

Brighton Speed Trials saved

Council listens to public shocker - the Brighton Speed Trials are going ahead!

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Just before Christmas we reported the sad news that the famous Brighton Speed Trials looked in peril after the council refused permission for Brighton and Hove Motor Club to run the event. Not ones to take such a ruling lying down the club immediately set in motion a publicity campaign and petition to lobby the council into letting the event run.

And thanks to the 12,400 who signed the petition organised by Save The Brighton Speed Trials, 7,000-plus likes on the Facebook page and public support from the likes of Stirling Moss, Nick Mason and Tiff Needell it seems sense has prevailed and The Brighton Speed Trials will take place on September 6 this year. "After the council initially declined an application to run the event in 2014, its Economic Development and Culture Committee voted unanimously last night to allow the event to continue," says a press release from Brighton and Hove Motor Club.

The club credits the public support, including "online forum discussions" like the eight-page topic right here on PH, for helping convince the council that the Speed Trials were worth saving.

"The council has listened to its constituents and acted in the best democratic interest of the City of Brighton and Hove," says Tony Watts of BHMC. "We are thrilled to be able to now start the planning of the 2014 Brighton Speed Trial and the subsequent two years events. With the support we have had this year promises to be the best Speed Trials yet."

So here's to people power and a hearty well done to PHers who got behind the campaign. While we're on a roll maybe we should now turn our attention to that consultation for a 60mph limit on the M1...

Lead image: Joe Fry in his Freikaiserwagen at the 1948 Speed Trial from LAT Photo

 

 

 

 

[fireturk]

"voted unanimously"
bit of a turn round then!

[5lab]

rumour from the local rag - the conservatives and labour (who are in the minority, and currently using any tactics to win votes for next time) said they were going to over-rule the green councillers - it seems like the greens submitted rather than be voted out (they don't have an overall majority)

still great news for the event, the city, and motorsport in general

[EggsBenedict]

Great result - need a record crowd down there now to show support & prove that we're not all just keyboard activists.

Brilliant event, been going most years since my dad took me as a boy.

One of the highlights of my youth was this thing: http://www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk/museum/e...

But there's been all sorts of awesome stuff run at Brighton, everyone should go at least once.

[RemyMartin]

I said if it was saved, I'd be going and now I will have to make sure I fulfill that promise :-)

Great news.

[Turbobanana]

Great news.

PS Someone needs to revive the name "Freikaiserwagen":

"What do you drive these days?"

"I've got one of those new Freikaiserwagens."

[zeb]

very good news

[will01]

really glad to hear its going ahead. its a shame to loose these historic type events. so we need to do everything we can to keep them going
good work to all who got the decision turned around

[soad]

Photo Of The Week, anyone?

[chris_speed]

Great news. Is there a plan for paying the £100,000 cost of resurfacing?

[rev-erend]

Really happy to hear the good news... one of the best fun events around.

The competitors are all usually very friendly and approachable.

[Whiters]

RemyMartin said:

I said if it was saved, I'd be going and now I will have to make sure I fulfill that promise :-)

Great news.

Me to. And I will. Been local-ish for a good few years now and mean to go every year, shamefully not made it yet.

Come on peeps, get it in the diary now!

[dandarez]

Any comment from the insidious 'green' movement on this?

[iva cosworth]

I will also try and come along this year.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Perhaps Justin Bieber will pop along?

.....if he's out of jail.

[dandarez]

soad said:

Photo Of The Week, anyone?

Take it you're referring to Joe Fry? The Freik makes an Ariel Atom look tame!
Ready to go, helmet, pressed shirt and tank top!

What about this one at Brighton?



Clue.: twin-engined 500 JAPs one at the front, one at the rear, 4-wheel-drive!

[Motorrad]

Fantastic news and one in the eye for the green party assholes who tried to ruin it for everyone.

[motco]

EggsBenedict said:

Great result - need a record crowd down there now to show support & prove that we're not all just keyboard activists.

Brilliant event, been going most years since my dad took me as a boy.

One of the highlights of my youth was this thing: http://www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk/museum/e...

But there's been all sorts of awesome stuff run at Brighton, everyone should go at least once.

Seen it! With George Brown riding it!

and this : -


and this:-



The earlier times before really powerful machines were banned were terrific.

[smilo996]

People need to vote with their car keys and feet as well presumably.

[Davidonly]

We should be going now the event has been saved. GREAT result

[soad]

dandarez said:

Take it you're referring to Joe Fry? The Freik makes an Ariel Atom look tame!
Ready to go, helmet, pressed shirt and tank top!

What about this one at Brighton?



Clue.: twin-engined 500 JAPs one at the front, one at the rear, 4-wheel-drive!

Yes, indeed.

Not bad at all. I've managed to find a large photo though, as used in this article.