The Brighton Speed Trials

One of the closest finishes ever, saw three people set a new course record of 17.48 sec. in the Fribourg and Treyer Brighton National Speed Trials. First to set it was World Standing Kilometre Record holder Henk Vink on NI supercharged. nitro-burning. Kawasaki engined Big Spender, above, who, in spite of shutting off two thirds up the kilometre course to gain braking distance, crossed the line at 164 m.p.h. Both David Harris (McCrae 5000) and Terry Smith (Brabham BT35X 5000) hit 17.48 see. and 177 m.p.h. in the Top Ten runs for RAC Sprint Championship contenders. Judgement for car FTD went to Smith, shown left, whose previous fastest run had bettered Harris’ 0.04 sec. To left, Michael Neilan’s ex-JCB Le Mans Daytona typifies some of the interesting machinery. Below, part of the unique scenano and 25,000 crowd.