AN electric car which travelled the length of Great Britain and back again in record time and the country’s first dragster will be two of the stars at a historic motor event.

Top-performing electric car Tesla P85D and early dragster Mk I Allard Chrysler will be just two of the machines lighting up motorsports fans’ eyes when they appear at the historic Brighton Speed Trials on September 3.

The oldest continuous event its kind in the country, the speed trials will return with a bang next month with scores of performers and much-loved machines already signed up.

Already in the field is the Tesla P85D which was driven from Land’s End to John O’Groats by father-and-son Ben and Jeff Allan in November in just 19 hours and 46 minutes including charging time.

The pair made even better time on the return trip of just 18 hours and 53 minutes in the car which is capable of 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds.

On display, but not competing in the speed trials, will be the Mk I Allard Chrysler which was built on the orders multi-motorsports champion Sydney Allard to create Europe’s first dragster.

The hot rod appeared at the Brighton Speed Trials in 1961, 1962 and 1963 before it was retired at the end of 1964 and is now owned by the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, Hampshire.

Organiser Len Wooller of the Brighton and Hove Motor Club said the event had already reached about 75 per cent capacity but he was still awaiting a last-minute rush from competitors.

As of last week, organisers had signed up 120 cars, well on the way to the yearly average of 160, and 65 bikes.

Around 400 tickets had also been sold to spectators wanting to get really up close to the action on race day at the Speed Trials’ paddock.

The event attracted up to 10,000 spectators at its peak but organisers said that has been limited in recent years because of restricted access to the crumbling Madeira Terraces.

Mr Wooller said the new anti-climb fencing along the Victorian structure installed earlier this year was more secure than the temporary fencing in place at last year’s event.

He added: “Competitor places are strictly limited and going fast so get your entry in now to avoid disappointment.

“We have a great line-up already in place this year with Ferraris, Aston Martins and Bentleys competing.

“We also have a Tesla whose owner holds the electric car record for Land's End to John O'Groats and back again.”