VETERAN CAR RUN MUST BE SAFER IN 2021
With safety concerns ahead of the virtual London to Brighton event, Quentin Willson calls for rules to be addressed before next year’s run
Organisers of the 1 November ‘virtual’ London To Brighton Veteran Car Run have advised against anyone taking their veteran car along the usual route, or to ‘…congregate with other veteran cars that could encourage gatherings’. Quentin Willson backs the virtual event but voiced concerns over the safety of past runs. He said: ‘I hope the organisers will take this enforced pause in the Brighton Run to review the routes, signage and support to make it much safer. As a competitor I’ve had too many heart-in-the-mouth moments where you look back and think to yourself, “how did I survive that?”’
The organisers of the RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run have promised that next year’s event will learn from the mistakes made in 2019.
Canadian competitor Ron Carey was killed when he drove his 1903 Knox Porcupine onto the M23 by mistake; since then, Veteran Car Run participant, former Top Gear presenter and Classic Cars magazine contributor Quentin Willson has said that the safety of competitors needs to be urgently reconsidered.
He said: ‘I hope the organisers will take this enforced pause in the Brighton Run to review the routes, signage and support to make the event much safer. As a participant, I’ve experienced too many heart-in-the-mouth moments where you look back and think to yourself: “how did I survive that?”
‘I think that clearer and bigger signage [is needed], with a very distinct colour and style so they are unmissable for competitors – particularly international ones.
‘I would also like to see a route with as few hills as possible. Going up steep hills is bad enough in a veteran, but going down with leather or cable brakes, you see your life flash before you.
‘The Run also needs more stewards at problem junctions and more support vehicles.’
Quentin was moved to comment after the decision was taken by the Royal Automobile Club to stage a Virtual Veteran Car Run in place of the live 2020 event on 1 November – and signing up beforehand.
Anyone with a pre-1905 car is welcome to take part and share their experiences online, whether they take their veteran for a drive on their own or by dressing the part, current local tiered coronavirus restrictions being considered.
‘Given the circumstances, I think that seeing Veteran cars on the roads with all the social distancing and safety caveats as a virtual rally is a sensible idea,’ said Quentin.
A Veteran Car
Run spokesperson said: ‘A huge amount of work has been done with the very supportive local authorities along the route to introduce further safety measures; clearly these will now be transferred to 2021’s plans. Some of the additional measures being introduced to ensure this year’s Run could happen safely against the backdrop of Covid-19 will also assist the smoother running of future events.’
However, organisers strongly advised against anyone trying to retrace the cancelled Veteran Car Run’s route for reasons of safety, as a major reason for the cancellation of the much curtailed 2020 Run was the rising coronavirus infection levels in Brighton. Had the Run taken place this year, it would have finished just outside the city.
Organisers said: ‘Please don’t be tempted to drive along the route or congregate with other veteran cars that could encourage gatherings, and please only take part where it’s safe to do so.’
❚ veterancarrun.com
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