Category:Petrolhead Brighton

1905 Brighton Motor Trials, Madeira Drive [image info]

1935: "Motor Speed Trials on Seafront" [image info]

1938: "PROMENADE OF POWER. Car racing along Madeira Drive at Brighton provides a thrill for thousands of spectators at the famous seaside resort. The cars are both Altas: (left) G. E. Abecassis and (right) H. C. Hunter." [image info]

1963 Veteran Car Club brochure [image info]

1966 Veteran Commercial vehicles rally booklet [image info]

When Madeira Drive was built, the long, straight, flat section of tarmac with multiple high overlooking terraces made the road a magnet for groups wanting to organise motor speed trials, motorbike trials, classic vehicle rallies, and the like.

Event calendar (vehicle-based)

Events and dates were checked on December 2015. Most of these dates refer to the 2015 events, but since calendaring for future events is liable to change in the future (along with some sponsor names), it's advisable to check with the organising bodies and/or with www.brightonrun.co.uk before planning to attend.

~March

Pioneer Run (motorcycles)

Organised by The Sunbeam Motor Cycle Club, the Pioneer run normally happens in March, and is open to motorcycles built before 1915. The run starts at Epsom Downs at 8.am, and finished at Madeira Drive.

* Pioneer Run, Sunbeam Motor Cycle Club (sunbeam-mcc.co.uk)

Historic Commercial Vehicle Society Run (HCVS)

Held on the first Sunday in May, the HCVS Run is for commercial vehicles – vans, lorries and buses – built before 1915.

* Historic Commercial Vehicle Society (hcvs.co.uk)

* HCVS Run (brightonrun.co.uk)

~May

The Mini Run

Normally held in May, the Mini Run is for Mini owners, and runs from Crystal Palace to Madeira Drive. It's organised by the London & Surrey Mini Owners Club.

* The London to Brighton Mini Run (london-to-brighton.co.uk)

* The Mini Run (brightonrun.co.uk)

The Classic and Kit Car Run

Normally held in May, "classic" cars are assumed to be more than 25 years old.

* The Classic and Kit Car Run (classicmotorevents.co.uk)

* Classic and Kit Car Run [brightonrun.co.uk)

~September

The Brighton Speed Trials

The Brighton Speed trials have been held on the straight quarter-mile strip since 1905, making it the oldest car racing event in the world. They are normally held on the second Saturday in September.

* Brighton Speed Trials , Brighton & Hove Motor Club (brightonandhovemotorclub.co.uk)

* Brighton Speed Trials Saved, The Telegraph (telegraph.co.uk)

~November

RAC Brighton to London Future Car Challenge

The RAC Brighton to London Future Car Challenge is a running event for electric and hybrid cars that takes place on the day before the Vintage Car Run (a Saturday), and runs in the opposite direction (Brighton to London)

London to Brighton Veteran Car Run

Popularly known as the London to Brighton Rally, this even has been held since 1926, and uses Madeira Drive as its final assembly point. Vehicles have to have been built before 1904 in order to be allowed to participate.

The Rally usually takes place on the first Sunday in November.