Brighton and Hove City Council are set to meet on 23rd January 2014 to decide on whether the famous Brighton Speed Trials should be cancelled. Why? Well, some of it has to be general health and safety concerns/hysteria. But it's also connected to Charlotte Tagg who was killed in September 2012 whilst racing at Brighton as passenger on a Honda outfit. As a direct result of that incident, the 2013 Trials was cancelled. Brighton and Hove Motor Club are the organisers. The ePetition was launched by committee member Ruth Reynolds and began on 19th December 2013. But Tony Johnstone is perhaps the man to talk to, if you need to talk. However, if you just want to lend your support to an event that's been running at full tilt on Madeira Drive since 1905, you know exactly what you have to do. Brighton & Hove City Council - ePetition - Save the Brighton Speed Trials Please DO help if you can. Note that it isn't just this event that's at threat. Cancelling Brighton simply adds fuel to the safety fascists's bonfire, and that puts a lot of other public motorcycle events at risk. So let's try and put this fire out before it spreads. Meanwhile, you might be interested to hear the Brighton and Hove City Council, run by the Green Party with the Tories trailing, was recently permanently banned from accessing the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency database for chronic misuse. This, therefore, sounds like another UK council that likes to play dirty. Keep that in mind, if you will.
In days of old (1948)when cars and bikes were not able to achieve the high speeds(180mph) they do these days maybe it was ok . All those hard immovable objects are not allowed near a race track so why invite disaster by doing it there....do it at an airfield. Santa Pod would not have all those cast iron pillars any where near the track. So in order to let it carry on maybe compromise is needed, limit the types/engine size of vehicle taking part. This isn't the Isle of Man unfortunately ......they are not used to the death rate down here.
Pity if it has to come to an end, after such a very long run. I used to go regularly, and competed as a passenger in a Morgan 3-wheeler in approx. 1983. In those days lots of interesting cars and bikes of all periods and sizes used to compete. Went again recently, disappointed to find it a shadow of its former self. I fear its time is past - long past. No, I'll not sign a petition to keep a corpse on life support. Sorry.
Signed. I kind of agree with you Pete, but I think the event is important as a respectable banner for motorcycling in general. Perhaps the way forward would be to turn it into a classic event, which would keep the speeds down and provide a more friendly spectacle for the great unwashed.
I've seen this raised on a few forums, and even passed it on as I believe it is a worthwhile cause. I have to say that I'm disappointed that this is the only forum where I've seen a negative attitude. Whilst I can see the sense in comments made I'm afraid I see them as quite insular. By not supporting this petition the message that's being sent is to close events where there are unfortunate accidents - why help set that precedent? The comments about immovable objects are undisputable, but the competitors know the risks, as in any sport. By not supporting this you are helping the Council remove their choice of what risk they can accept. Please think about the bigger picture, as this may not just affect the sports activities. Do you want the Ace Café Reunion/London to Brighton/Regency Run/Brightona etc. to continue? These are just a few of the bike/car events that take place on Madeira Avenue - do you think the Green Party led Council will only stop this one event? Maybe, or maybe not, but by the time we know it'll be too late. By all means don't sign the petition if you believe that's the right thing to do. But if you choose this course of action then please remember where you put your support when other events also cease - whether static show/parade run/racing/public road/airfield based/trackdays etc. In these days of easy to find information this petition is unlikely to end up concerning only one event. That's just my view, and having seen the way things deteriorate on forums this will be my sole post on this thread. I am unconnected with the event in any way other than as a spectator, where I've enjoyed some good FREE days watching motorsport.
Any one want to sign up for the Isle of Wight TT Campaign ?? www.facebook.com/isleofwightroadrace?fref=ts
Great, sanity prevails for once .. Looks like the loony Greens running the local council are losing their grip
