It is the world’s longest-running motoring event and also the world’s largest veteran car gathering, held every year on the first Sunday in November.
The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is organized by the Royal Automobile Club. Participating cars must have been made prior to 1905 and are not permitted to exceed an average speed of 20 mph (32 km/h). While not officially a race, participants who arrive before 16:30 are honored with a medal. The event starts at sunrise in Hyde Park, London, and mostly follows the old A23 road, concluding at Madeira Drive on Brighton’s seafront, covering a total distance of 54 miles (87 km). A designated rest stop is provided in Crawley, marking the halfway point of the Run.
The first Run, held on November 14, 1896, was organized by Harry Lawson (1852-1925), a pioneer in the automotive industry and the founder of the Daimler Motor Company Limited. It was called ‘The Emancipation Run’ to commemorate the recently enacted Light Locomotives on Highways Act of 1896, which brought about more lenient motor vehicle regulations in the United Kingdom and increased the speed limit to 14 mph (23 km/h). Prior to this act, since 1878, the speed limit had been set at 4 mph (6 km/h) in the country and 2 mph (3 km/h) in the city, requiring an escort to walk 20 yards (18 m) ahead of the vehicle carrying a red flag.
On the first Run, a convoy of 33 cars departed from London on their journey to the coast, but only 17 successfully made it to Brighton. It is worth mentioning that this event also featured the participation of two American cars, marking the initial introduction of American motor vehicles to Europe. Subsequently, the next full-distance Commemorative Run took place in 1927, and it has since become a regular tradition in most years thereafter, with exception during times of war, petrol rationing, and periods affected by coronavirus restrictions.
Many Formula One racing drivers, including Stirling Moss, Nigel Mansell, and Damon Hill, have participated in the event. Notably, in 1968, Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco also took part in the Run, adding to its prestige. However, the event garnered even more attention in 1971 when Queen Elizabeth II herself became a passenger in a 70-year-old Daimler. This historic vehicle was originally owned by her great-grandfather, King Edward VII, and had once been driven by her father, King George VI. Since then, the car has been a regular participant in the Runs, usually with Prince Michael of Kent behind the wheel.
Trespasser-on-Earth 