Myth Buster
The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run
1 IT FINISHES ON MADEIRA DRIVE
The actual official finishing point is Preston Park, about 2.5 miles north west of Madeira Drive. However, the ceremonial finish, where the public can browse the cars more easily, is by the sea at Madeira Drive. The cars pause at Preston Park before proceeding to be admired by the gathering crowds along the seafront, which is also the host for that other great local motoring gathering – the Brighton Speed Trials.
2 ONLY PRE-1905 CARS CAN ENTER
In general, but there are exceptions to that rule. The first is cars with ‘Grandfather Rights’. These will have a history of running in the event, but have since been found to have been registered later than 1 January 1905. The second is invited entries; if a car is of outstanding historical interest, it can be asked to take part, even if it is technically too young.
3 IT’S ENTIRELY NONCOMPETITIVE
Organiser the Royal Automobile Club stresses it is not a race – the order in which cars finish isn’t published, and average speed must not exceed 20mph. However, there is a time trial element, and those that finish before 4.30pm receive a medal. You can probably blame the 1953 comedy movie Genevieve for the general perception that there’s a more competitive side to the event.
4 IT COSTS A FORTUNE TO ENTER
Not necessarily – you can pick up some veteran cars for as little as £25k. Advance entrance fees in 2019 ranged from £149 to £418.