VETERAN FANS HAIL ‘BEST EVER RUN’

The world’s fastest driver joins classic fans in praising event’s 125th anniversary outing

Mild weather and a bumper entry of nearly 300 entries from around the world helped to make this year’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run a hit with drivers and fans watching along the 60-mile route.

The event brought together motoring pioneers made by 87 different manufacturers, with crews coming from as far afield as South Africa and the USA to set off from Hyde Park at sunrise last Sunday (7 November), with an 1896 Lutzmann 4hp the first to set off.

High-profile entries on this year’s run included world land speed record-holder, Andy Green, who drove his recently acquired 1904 Stanley Steamer having been a passenger on previous runs, and Salvage Hunters: Classic Cars’ Paul Cowland who was on board a 1903 Knox entered by classic insurer Hagerty International.

Run organiser the Royal Automobile Club said that most of the 286 starters made it to the finish at Brighton’s Madeira Drive, with the first car to arrive a 1902 Mors, piloted by Stuart and Ruth Evison.

Club chairman, Ben Cussons, who shared driving duties on this year’s run with Baroness Archer of Weston-super-Mare DBE in a 1901 Mors, said that it was ‘ hard to imagine a more perfect day’ and was delighted that the passion for motoring’s pioneers remains strong: ‘The weather has been really kind this year, which makes a big difference for these types of extraordinary vehicles, and I have seen lots of happy smiling faces among participants, many saying this has been their best ever run.

‘I would, once again, like to thank all the people that have come together to make this 125th anniversary event so special. Thanks must go to all those who keep these amazing cars going and to all the marshals and volunteers who made it such a pleasure to drive from London to Brighton.

‘My final thank you is to the astonishing numbers of spectators who, as ever, have lined the route from start to finish, offering fabulous support and encouragement to all of us following in the wheel-tracks of those incredible pioneers who first set out to Brighton 125 years ago.’

David Simister

] veterancarrun.com

Graham Gregory’s 1904 Darracq, James Gresham’s 1901 De DionBouton and Peter Boulding’s 1903 Darracq lapped up the winter sun for the celebratory run towards the ceremonial finish at Madeira Drive.

Steam-powered cars setting off from an unusually mild Hyde Park this year included this 1899 Locomobile, driven by Kempton Moody. IMAGES David Simister/Royal Automobile Club

Tim Snowden was glad of the clear conditions – and the lack of congestion – as he powered over Westminster Bridge in his 1903 Gladiator on his way to the seaside.

Visitors to a packed Regent Street Motor Show got to check out some of the entrants, including Brian Rivett’s 1904 De DionBouton, Mark Snowden’s 1902 Cadillac and Andy Jackson’s 1904 Darracq, the day before the run.

RIGHT Cars taking part in this year’s run, including this 1900 De Dion-Bouton, were segregated off from more modern traffic on the busier stretches of the A23 heading towards Brighton – a welcome move to help boost safety.

Austrian entrant Christoph Hasler’s 1903 Oldsmobile was the second to arrive at the seafront this year, and winner of the event’s regularity contest.

Chris Rolph’s 1904 Wolseley 12hp was one of the veteran cars being used to give passenger rides on this year’s run.

BELOW First across the event’s ceremonial finish line at Madeira Drive – the run officially ends at nearby Preston Park – was Stuart Evison’s 1902 Mors.

Lord Laidlaw of Rothiemay entered this four-cylinder 1903 Darracq into this year’s run and was delighted to be one of the earlier arrivals at Brighton’s famous Madeira Drive.

Chris and Jane Berridge successfully made it to the seafront finishing line in their glorious 1901 Darracq.

One of the oldest entrants into this year’s run was this 1899 Panhard et Levassor, campaigned by South African entrants Shane Houlihan and Dave Alexander.

This 1899 Benz Dogcart, entered by Nigel and Julia Safe, needed more than just its single-cylinder 3.5hp engine to make it over some of the steeper stretches of this year’s route.