A HISTORIC motoring event has been cancelled as organisers fear the safety of spectators could be compromised.

The 2020 Frosts Brighton National Speed Trials are held annually in Madeira Drive but the usual assortment of cars and motorbikes will not descend on the seafront this year.

All entrants and advance ticket holders have been given a full refund with organisers saying that the current government guidelines surrounding coronavirus mean it “will not be possible” for the event to go ahead.

The Argus:

Len Wooller, chairman of the Brighton and Hove Motor Club, said: “Safety is always the number one priority when putting on an event such as the Speed Trials, and this year we felt for the safety of spectators and participants alike we could not run the event.

“The Speed Trials is one of the longest running motorsport events, and a popular feature on Brighton seafront, so it is very disappointing to not be putting on the event this year. Rest assured we will be back in 2021.

“A date for next year has been requested and we will publish this as soon as it is confirmed.”

The Argus:

The Speed Trials is the world’s oldest running motor race and was first held in 1905.

But the future of the event was thrown into doubt when cars were temporarily banned from Madeira Drive, where the event is held, during lockdown to give residents more space in the city to exercise.

With ongoing proposals to extend the closure, Brighton and Hove City Council said it could not pledge its “unequivocal support” for the events.

The announcement sparked the “battle for Madeira Drive” with a group of mods climbing aboard their distinctive scooters and riding down to the seafront road in early July to oppose the barring of cars from the area.

The Argus:

Following this the council confirmed that, though the road will not yet reopen to cars, motoring events will continue to be hosted along Brighton seafront.

A spokesman said: “Madeira Drive has a long history of hosting key events in the city including the Brighton Marathon, the London to Brighton Bike Ride and the Veteran Car Run, and we fully support those events returning stronger than ever before.

“They are an iconic part of the city’s culture and success and we look forward to them being part of our city’s future for years to come.”