As with most sprint and hill climb competition events many competitors suffer from the dreaded red eye thanks to the extremely early morning starts. Often one's thoughts go along the lines of: "Why the hell am I doing this?". However, as I blasted the Morgan up the short hill for Saltdean's T-junction on to the coast road my spirits lifted. To my left I witnessed a golden sunrise across the beautifully calm sea. Being early I turned right on to the coast road with no hold up and I was soon speeding along the coast road crouched behind my aeroscreen with nothing but the engine note and the sound of the sea gulls to listen to. All thoughts of how crazy it was to get up so early on a Saturday morning had gone. I was on my way to the best speed event in the World - the Brighton Speed Trials!

The first Brighton Speed Trial for motor cars took place in 1905 and was not held again until 1923 and 1924. In 1932 Brighton & Hove Motor Club revived the event and has been held every year since except for the odd enforced interruption. The historic nature of the event makes for a very special atmosphere. The timed runs have always been held along Brighton seafront on Maderia Drive overlooked by Brighton's Palace Pier. Recent research has discovered that a Brighton Speed Trial had also been held in 1913.One of the entrants for this trial was a Mr H.F.S Morgan. For me this makes competing in a morgan at the trials extra special. As we enter the new millennium the Morgan competitors are on the same track, with the same sliding pillar suspension as H.F.S. Proving that his design is still valid even today! Competing at the Brighton Speed Trials in a Morgan is an honour indeed.

The trials today attract a wide range of entries from vintage cars and motorbikes to very modern machinery. In the roadgoing class up tp 2000 c.c. three Morgans were entered: Roger Bluff, CVH 4/4; Joe Phillips, Crossflow 4/4; and Roger Shadbolt, T16, +4. On the day though I don't remember seeing Roger's +4. In the over 3500 c.c. Alan Foster was entered in his standard +8. In the sidecars & threewheelers unlimited c.c. Duncan Wood was entered in his 1929 Morgan Super Aero. Brian Tyrer from SexMog was also competing that day but in a BMW M3 and not his +8 unfortunately.

In addition to the standard Morgans competing a very interesting Moggie was also entered - Tony Howard's SLR Morgan Plus 4 in the over 1400 c.c. sports libre cars class.

As competitors the Morgans were distributed throughout the paddock. Alan Foster felt up against it in his class. He was facing an awesome TVR Tuscan, a fantastic Ferrari F50 and a wonderful F40, a brillant corvette and numerous other sensational beasts. Bad workmen blame their tools is what I say - only joking Alan!

Commensurate with his playboy image Joe Phillips paddock position was right outside the bars and night clubs of Madeira Drive. Joe and Lizzie had found Brighton to be a very lively place the evening before. A man who is tired of Brighton is tired of life. Conversely a man who is tired of Thatcham is not particularly surprising - allegedly!

The day begins very early with practice starting at 9 am and the event commencing at 11:30 am. It is best to get there early to be sure to see all the action. As several runs are normally gotten through before lunch. The day became very hot and best times were probably achieved in the early part of the day. The trials normally go on until 6 pm. It is a very busy day of motorsport.

The runs are held in batches, cars collect at the Marina end of Madeira and return together to their paddock positions. This year it was very hot so it became critica for competitors vehicles to keep as cool as possible.

Normally the trials have a large crowd watching and walking round the paddock. It is possible to get close to some very exotic machines that one wouldn't normally get near. I personnally had a close look at Tony Howard's SLR. (Editors Note how would he have looked had he not looked personally?)

I don't know many speed events where one can sit in the paddock and look out to sea watching the yachts go by. The finish is adjacent to the nudist beach, an exclusive feature of the event I should think!

I was lucky this year to have some support for my morale from a pit crew from Thames Valley Centre. Their advice was invaluable. The straight dash along the seafront requires much thought about when to change gear maximising torque and power from the engine. A clean efficent start is essential to a good time.

As the day goes on provided there is no rain the grip levels at the start line improves as more rubber is left behind.

In the crowds that day there were many Morgan owners out to support the Morgan competitors. Several seemed to be inspired to want to enter next year - the more the merrier!

It is possible to watch the action from balconies right along the track. If you get tired watching the speed event you can also enjoy the fine views out to sea. In fact the trials are a good day out for the family. Shopping in the Lanes and a look round the Royal Pavilion can compensate the non-petrol head members of the family!

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It can get quite busy on the balconies so it is well worth arriving early to get a good spot for viewing.

Watching the vehicles collect for their timed runs can be equally as enjoyable.

For a competitor it is quite a thrill to try and reach that finishing line as quickly as possible!

The weather stayed wonderful all day leading to a very pleasant evening. The Brighton Speed Trials is a fantastic event that should not be missed. Hopefully I will see you there next year!

Roger Bluff, September 1999.