Brighton and Hove Motor Club
Encyclopedia
The Brighton and Hove Motor Club (BHMC) is best known as organiser of the Brighton Speed Trials
.
During the nineteen-twenties the club organised speed trials at Lewes
, there being no Brighton Speed Trials in the years 1925-1931. In 1926 the Brighton to Beer Trial for the Mayor's Cup was scheduled for 26/27 June. In 1927 there was a proposal to build a motor racing circuit on the Downs at Portslade, near Brighton. C. Laurence Clayton, who was secretary of the BHMC, also acted as Secretary for the track management, Brighton and Hove Motor Racing Club Ltd. The track was never built. On September 5, 1931, the club held an informal race meeting at Brooklands
. The plan to build the Brighton road circuit was revived in 1934 but did not succeed. In 1938 The Autocar reported: "The Brighton-Beer Trial organised by the Brighton and Hove club has become a classic." Among the competitors that year was Sydney Allard
, who gained a First Class Award. The 1939 Brighton Speed Trials were scheduled for September 23 , but were cancelled due to the outbreak of war.
After World War Two the club was eager to stage competitive events. Early in 1945: "The possibilities of a post-war hill climb, which Robert Waddy of "Fuzzy" fame has been asked to investigate and the continuation of the Brighton Speed Trials were discussed at the annual general meeting." The venue investigated was Clayton Tunnel
Hill, to the north of Brighton and about one mile in length, but the plan went nowhere. The club organised a hill climb at Stanmer Park, Brighton, Sussex, on June 5, 1948. The event was won by Bob Gerard
, driving an ERA
, but he crashed beyond the finish line and no more events were held there.
In 1948 the club moved into premises in the arches under Dukes Mound on the seafront at Brighton
and have remained there ever since.
Brighton Speed Trials
The Brighton Speed Trials, in full The Brighton National Speed Trials, is commonly held to be the oldest running motor race. The first race was held July 19–22, 1905 after Sir Harry Preston persuaded Brighton town council to tarmac the surface of the road adjacent to the beach between the Palace...
.
History
The club's origins go back to the early 1920's when it was known as the Brighton and Hove Motor Cycle and Light Car Club. The earliest known reference to the Brighton and Hove Motor Club dates from October 3, 1925. On January 12, 1926, the sixth Annual General Meeting was held at the Royal Albion Hotel, Brighton. The Motor Cycle interests were split off in 1932.During the nineteen-twenties the club organised speed trials at Lewes
Lewes Speed Trials
The Lewes Speed Trials were speed trials held on a defunct course in Lewes, Sussex, England, sometimes known as "The Motor Road."-History:The first meeting took place on July 27, 1924, on "a private road near Lewes", location unidentified. The event was organised by the Brighton & Hove Motor Cycle...
, there being no Brighton Speed Trials in the years 1925-1931. In 1926 the Brighton to Beer Trial for the Mayor's Cup was scheduled for 26/27 June. In 1927 there was a proposal to build a motor racing circuit on the Downs at Portslade, near Brighton. C. Laurence Clayton, who was secretary of the BHMC, also acted as Secretary for the track management, Brighton and Hove Motor Racing Club Ltd. The track was never built. On September 5, 1931, the club held an informal race meeting at Brooklands
Brooklands
Brooklands was a motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England. It opened in 1907, and was the world's first purpose-built motorsport venue, as well as one of Britain's first airfields...
. The plan to build the Brighton road circuit was revived in 1934 but did not succeed. In 1938 The Autocar reported: "The Brighton-Beer Trial organised by the Brighton and Hove club has become a classic." Among the competitors that year was Sydney Allard
Sydney Allard
Sydney Herbert Allard was the founder of the Allard car company and a successful racing motorist. He was remarkable in that he achieved sporting success in cars of his own manufacture....
, who gained a First Class Award. The 1939 Brighton Speed Trials were scheduled for September 23 , but were cancelled due to the outbreak of war.
After World War Two the club was eager to stage competitive events. Early in 1945: "The possibilities of a post-war hill climb, which Robert Waddy of "Fuzzy" fame has been asked to investigate and the continuation of the Brighton Speed Trials were discussed at the annual general meeting." The venue investigated was Clayton Tunnel
Clayton Tunnel
Clayton Tunnel is a railway tunnel located near the village of Clayton, West Sussex between Hassocks and Preston Park railway stations on the Brighton Main Line...
Hill, to the north of Brighton and about one mile in length, but the plan went nowhere. The club organised a hill climb at Stanmer Park, Brighton, Sussex, on June 5, 1948. The event was won by Bob Gerard
Bob Gerard
Frederick Roberts "Bob" Gerard was a racing driver and businessman from England...
, driving an ERA
English Racing Automobiles
English Racing Automobiles was a British racing car manufacturer active from 1933 to 1954. Currently the ERA trademark is owned by a British kit-car manufacturer.-Prewar history:...
, but he crashed beyond the finish line and no more events were held there.
In 1948 the club moved into premises in the arches under Dukes Mound on the seafront at Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
and have remained there ever since.
Regular Events
As well as the Speed Trials, the club organises other car related and social events.| Month | Event |
|---|---|
| January | Visit to Autosport Show |
| April | Annual General Meeting |
| May | Jolly - a social day trip |
| June | Classic and Concours Car Show |
| August | Goodwood Sprint |
| September | Brighton Speed Trials Brighton Speed Trials The Brighton Speed Trials, in full The Brighton National Speed Trials, is commonly held to be the oldest running motor race. The first race was held July 19–22, 1905 after Sir Harry Preston persuaded Brighton town council to tarmac the surface of the road adjacent to the beach between the Palace... |
| December | Dinner Dance |