Brighton Speed Trials 2005
Hundreds of Speed events take place in the UK, but when the words ‘seafront’ and ‘Madeira Drive’ are mentioned there can only be one event that enters the mind, the renowned Brighton Speed Trials. And thousands of us gathered there on the 10th September to watch the action unfold.
This year’s trials had a twist, a special twist at that, it was the 100th anniversary of the event, and yet again the cobwebs were blown off of the most exclusive machinery to come out and play on the quarter mile strip in front of some very encouraging crowds, its not often you hear applauds and cheers at a speed event but the spectators really do get caught up in the atmosphere, watching the heroic attempts of the clubman competitor trying to set the lowest time. In terms of eye candy there was something for everyone, if old school Fords were your bag then you would have been in your element, or perhaps the big cat appeals to you more so, how about the ex-British Leyland Jaguar XJ12C that made the seagulls go into hiding when it fired up due to its menacing exhaust note, the heavy weight Jag’ managed a best time of 14.97. If your tastes are more expensive then I’m sure Norman Goodman’s Bugatti Type 35B would have got the pulse racing, a real motoring icon.
Ron Harris and his Mk1 Escort RS2000 managed to claim second place in the road going and modified class with a best time of 13.31 leaving Graham Cave’s Ferrari F355 Spyder to pick up the pieces. Unfortunately, the other classic cars in attendance had their class dominated by the ‘oh so quick’ Westfield’s and Caterham’s, with the classic entries missing out on the trophies. A rethink on the class structure may be an idea for the next event. If you haven’t been then I’d strongly suggest you give it a go in 2006, it’s a must for the calendar in between DIY and the Saturday shop, reschedule those chores for Sunday.
Words and Pictures: Adam Tait