Moonlight Sprint
Competitive sprinting is one of the oldest forms of British motorsport and can be traced back to the early 1900s. The objective is simple: to complete a 440-yard (quarter-mile) course from a standing start in the shortest possible time.
The event is organised for classic motorcycles and cars and is staged on Victoria Avenue, with the course running on the landward side from West Park towards First Tower.
Motorcycles are divided into two main sections: those manufactured prior to 1994 and those produced after 1994. Within these sections are numerous classes, based mainly on engine capacity and the extent to which the machine has been modified from standard road use. Cars are similarly divided into various sections and classes, with the two main categories being pre-1995 and post-1995 vehicles.
All vehicles and equipment must pass inspection by official scrutineers before being allowed to compete. Entrants are also required to hold valid competition licences issued by the Auto Cycle Union (ACU) or Motorsport UK (MSUK).
In sprinting, a good start is crucial. A poor launch is difficult to recover from, as the clock always seems to run fastest when you are at your slowest. Correct alignment and positioning on the start line are essential, and marshals are on hand to assist, including placing a chock against the rear wheel.
Once the green light is shown, competitors have one minute in which to start. Care must be taken not to break the timing beam prematurely, as this will start the clock early. Losing just a few hundredths of a second in the first 20 yards can often translate into several tenths by the time the finish line is crossed.
A strong start requires maximum engine revs while carefully feeding in the clutch—easier said than done. In cars, releasing the clutch too quickly can cause excessive wheelspin, producing plenty of tyre smoke but little forward motion. While dramatic, it is rarely conducive to a fast time.
With motorcycles, rear-wheel spin is less of an issue, as the combined weight of the bike and rider transfers to the rear wheel, providing good grip. However, this can cause the front wheel to lift dramatically, resulting in an unwanted wheelie. The rider’s instinctive reaction is often to reduce throttle, which costs both power and time. To counter this, riders lean well forward over the tank and handlebars to minimise wheel lift.
After the launch, success depends on maintaining a wide-open throttle and changing gears close to the maximum rev limit. A reliable gearbox is essential, as missed gear changes are common at high revs. Ideally, gearing should be optimised for the course, providing strong acceleration at the start and a good terminal speed at the finish.
Competitors are always chasing that “one perfect run” where everything comes together. All vehicles are electronically timed over the quarter mile, with terminal speeds—often exceeding 100 mph—recorded. Timing is also taken over the first 62 feet, a figure of particular interest to competitors analysing their performance.
Setting a personal best, even by a single hundredth of a second, is the ultimate goal. Weather conditions can play a significant role, and competitors will be hoping for warm, dry tarmac and a helpful tailwind.
The perfect run is elusive and far more difficult to achieve than it may appear to the casual observer. The event takes place on Victoria Avenue and runs until approximately 11:00 pm, allowing for one practice run and three official timed runs.
Entry is free for spectators, and the venue offers excellent vantage points and amenities. A stroll along the promenade is highly recommended, providing close-up views of the cars, bikes, and competitors in the pit area, along with the spectacular sights and sounds of the event.