IT was a theatrical return for Brighton Speed Trials as hundreds of people gathered on the seafront to see racing drivers battle it out to be crowned the fastest.

The day’s events got off to a dramatic start when 88-year-old racer Jim Tiller lost control of his 1950 J2 Allard almost as soon as he left the starting line on Brighton’s Madeira Drive.

The Argus: Jim Tiller crashed his car into a lamp postJim Tiller crashed his car into a lamp post

One of the wheels flew off and the car was wrecked after it ploughed into a lamp post in Madeira Drive.

Miraculously, the retired art teacher from Ringmer walked away without a scratch.

The second half of the trials proved to be as equally action packed when racing resumed at 2pm.

Only a few cars in and the organisers had to pull the brake on proceedings for half an hour as stewards and then security guards attempted to remove a man from the track.

The Argus: Security guards escorted a man off the track during the Brighton Speed TrialsSecurity guards escorted a man off the track during the Brighton Speed Trials

Two security guards eventually managed to escort the man off the strip and racing began once again.

Onlookers were treated to a variety of modern and vintage cars on display.

And there were more than 100 cars taking part in the racing, with Simon Cooksey in his Nissan GTR and Damien Bradley in his Subaru Legacy managing to record times under ten seconds achieving 9.35 seconds and 9.91 seconds respectively.

The Argus: A car ready to raceA car ready to race

Chairman of Brighton and Hove Motor Club Leonard Wooller said it had been a “very good day”.

“It’s been very good,” he said.

“We’ve had some very fast cars here.

“We have 140 cars running today.

“All different types of race cars, it’s a very varied day.

“And the weather’s been good to us.”

Madeira Drive has hosted the event since 1905 after resident Sir Harry Preston convinced the town council to tarmac the road for motoring events.

The Argus: A racing driver roaring down the trackA racing driver roaring down the track

Ordinarily motorcycles would also be included in the event, but for the second time there were only cars taking place.

This is due to safety concerns surrounding Madeira Drive's green cycle lane.

The Argus: More than 100 cars took part in the racingMore than 100 cars took part in the racing

Discussions are ongoing between Brighton and Hove Motor Club, Motorsport UK, Auto Cycle Union and Brighton and Hove City Council about the layout and paint markings on Madeira Drive and how motorcycles will be able to participate in the future.