Annual early morning parade of vintage cars built before 1905 from Hyde Park in London to Brighton, the world's oldest motoring event.
The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run returns to Hyde Park on Sunday 1 November, the world's oldest motoring event. It started back in 1896 as the Emancipation Run, named for the scrapping of the Red Flag Act, which had required a person to wave a red flag 60 yards ahead of any oncoming vehicle. It's run as a demonstration of reliability and endurance rather than speed: the route covers around 60 miles, the maximum average speed is 20mph, and entries are limited to four-wheeled cars, tri-cars and motor tricycles built before 1 January 1905, proven by a Dating Certificate or Veteran Passport. The Royal Automobile Club owns and organises the run, with Veteran Car Company Limited as the authority on eligibility.
The first cars depart from South Carriage Drive in Hyde Park at 6:53am — official sunrise — and the run closes at Madeira Drive in Brighton at 4:30pm, with an official checkpoint at Crawley in between. It's a long day for the drivers, and just as much of one for anyone following the progress from London to the coast. The first driver of each car gets a souvenir plaque, and every finisher is given a commemorative medallion, a colour photograph of their arrival in Brighton and a certificate. The whole event is held under the National Competition Rules of Motorsport UK.
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If you're thinking of entering, the price depends on when you sign up and what you're driving. Early Bird entries by 25 March were £485 for pre-1900 cars and £550 for those from 1900 or later. Advance entries by 21 July rose to £600–£665, and Standard entries by 26 August were £735–£800. After 26 August, the entry fee is £950. It's a steep climb, so the earlier you commit, the better. If you're just watching, you'll find the cars starting in Hyde Park from 6:53am and finishing at Madeira Drive in Brighton by 4:30pm.
