VETERANS ON THE RUN
ACEnTurY before the age of speed cameras, motorists marked the lifting of one infamous speed restriction with a celebratory drive from London to Brighton, known as the Emancipation run. until 1896, the law had required a man with a red flag to walk ahead of all cars, which meant they could not exceed walking pace — 4 mph. The repeal of the so- called red Flag Act saw the speed limit raised to 14 mph, and later 20 mph.
The occasion is celebrated to this day in the annual London to Brighton veteran car run, which dates back to 1927 and was immortalised in the Fifties film genevieve.
Tomorrow’s event will see more than 450 ‘horseless carriages’ set out on the 60-mile drive from capital to coast.
Celebrity drivers taking part include Charley Boorman, driving a 1904 rover 8 hp from the British motor museum, and BBC presenters Chris Evans and Alex Jones.
The first car will be flagged precisely away from Hyde and vehicles Park at 7.03am must reach the Brighton finish line by 4.30pm to qualify for a medal. But roadworks in Brixton mean this year’s run has to take a different route out of London.
On the eve of the event in the capital today is the free-toview regent Street motor Show where more than 100 of the automobiles taking part will be on display with many of the drivers and passengers in period costume.
BmW is turning cannibal. Bosses realised that budgetminded owners of its older cars can’t new replacement always stretch parts, to so buying scour scrap yards to ‘ cannabalise’ them from old wrecks. now BmW is recycling older cars itself to provide owners with such rescued parts. it’s already happening in germany and is likely to come here says global sales and marketing director ian robertson.