London to Brighton Veteran Car Rally
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It makes you proud to be British. Who else would organise a run to the seaside in almost exclusively open top cars in November?
The London to Brighton Veteran Car Rally lays claim to being the longest running motor event in the world, though as it wasn’t held between the first event in 1896 and the next in 1927 some would dispute that. The original reason for the run was to celebrate the end of the need for a man with a red flag to precede motor cars; but now it is a tradition, a gesture of affection to the pre-1905 cars which take place; and a grand day out. It is not a race – though the film Genevieve which used the event featured racing – bad show that – and those completing the course before half-past four having had the obligatory stop in Crawley for coffee get a medal. Indeed participants must keep below 20mph as they drive from Hyde Park to Preston Park in Brighton. Not that speeds above 20mph are usual in London anyway.
Car spotters and celebrity spotters observe the run with equal fervour: the former delighted to clock a De Dion-Bouton, or Duryea or Pope-Tribune; the latter hoping to see Eddie Kidd, Sterling Moss , Alvin Stardust or maybe the Queen if she decides to brave the weather and repeat the run she last made in the seventies.

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