Two classic show stalwarts of have been dropped in the same week due to escalating costs, problems with infrastructure and a lack of support
Escalating costs and worsening road conditions on Madeira Drive have resulted in the end of the Brighton National Speed Trials after 118 years – and it’s not the only event to have been given the axe in the past week.
In a shock twist, organisers of MGLive! announced that this event has also been dropped from the show calendar due to ‘the increasingly serious financial risks involved’ and ‘a number of key volunteers retiring from their key roles, the challenges of recruiting new volunteers, as well as the dwindling attendance numbers to many motor sport events regrettably means that there will be no MGLive! event at Silverstone in 2024.’
The Brighton National Speed Trials was the oldest motor sport event in the world but the rising costs of safety measures, loss of spectator revenue due to the closing of the terraces above the course in 2013 and deteriorating road surfaces on Madeira Drive have combined to render the 2023 running of the Brighton National Speed Trials its last.
First run in 1905, The Brighton National Speed Trials were organised by The Brighton and Hove Motor Club (BHMC). The club’s Naomi Tribe told Classic Car Weekly: ‘It’s been an incredibly hard decision to make as a club and we hope you understand and will continue to attend our other motorsport events in the future.’
‘The club has run it at a loss for a number of years and cannot continue to do so.’
Astatement issued by the MG Car Club this week tells a similar story regarding its shock decision to ‘rest’ MGLive! for the forseeable future: ‘With only the non-race activities inside the Silverstone circuit, it has been determined that such an event will not be viable for the club because of the continued rising cost of all services and hire charges for the weekend.’
Enthusiasts have been quick to voice their sadness about the news, with Marc Hanson commenting about the speed trial on CCW’s Facebook page: ‘It’s very sad. I competed there on and off for 20 year
