London to Brighton Veteran Car Run - all you need to know

More than 400 intrepid drivers and their hardy passengers are taking part in the world famous London to Brighton Veteran Car Run today (Sunday, November 4).
The London to Brighton Veteran car runThe London to Brighton Veteran car run
The London to Brighton Veteran car run

The first of the vehicles, dating back to pre-1905, will leave Hyde Park at 06.59am and travel down Constitution Hill, past Buckingham Palace on to The Mall.

Half of the participants will travel over Westminster Bridge and follow the traditional A23 route via Kennington, Brixton and Streatham Common.

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The other half will leave over Lambeth Bridge then journey via Vauxhall, Clapham Common and Tooting.

The London to Brighton Veteran car runThe London to Brighton Veteran car run
The London to Brighton Veteran car run

The two routes merge on the A236 north of Croydon and head to the halfway halt in Crawley High Street.

A spokesman said: “Crawley High Street also marks an important stage on the run as it’s the start of the Regularity Time Trial, the only competitive element of the event. Finishing 13 miles away in Burgess Hill, the Regularity Time Trial requires drivers to get as close to a chosen average speed as possible.

“After Burgess Hill, the cavalcade tackles yet more scenic but demanding Sussex roads over the rolling South Downs, passing through Hassocks and Clayton before re-joining the A23 for the run into Brighton and the seaside finish on Madeira Drive. Adding to this year’s spectacle, many of the busy pubs along the 60-mile route will opening early and supporting the event’s charity partner The Movember Foundation.”

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Acknowledged as the longest running motoring event in the world and attracting huge wayside crowds numbering tens of thousands as well as numerous entries from right around the globe, the annual pageant dates back to 1927.

It was founded to commemorate the Emancipation Run of 1896, which celebrated the new-found freedom of motorists granted by the ‘repeal of the Red Flag Act.’

The Act raised the speed limit to 14mph and abolished the need for a man carrying a red flag to walk ahead of the cars whenever they were being driven.

Spot the celebrities

Team Principal of the hugely successful Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team Christian Horner and his wife Geri, part of the most successful girl group in pop music history - the Spice Girls - will be taking part in Sunday’s Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran car run.

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The couple will share Lord (Irvine) Laidlaw’s 1904 Panhard-Levassor for this year’s run from Hyde Park to the Sussex seafront.

Television presenter Kevin McCloud from Grand Designs is another of the famous faces taking part this year.

Plus world renowned supermodel Yasmin Le Bon will be driving a 1901 Wolseley.

Timings and where to see the vehicles

Except from the start all timings are approximate.

The first cars are expected at the Crawley halt from 8.15am with the last leaving by 2pm.

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The first car is due at the Madeira Drive finish at shortly after 10 am.

To be sure of a coveted finishers’ medal, participants need to make it to the finish before sunset at 4.30pm.

6.59am - 8.15am: Constitution Hill, London

6.59am - 8.15am: The Mall, London

6.59am - 8.15am: Horse Guards Parade, London

7.05am - 8.20am: Westminster Bridge, London

7.10am - 9.15am: Clapham Common, London

7.35am - 11am: Croydon – A236, A235 and A23

7.50am - 11.30am: Redhill – A23

8am - 12.15pm: Gatwick – A23

8.20am - 2pm: Crawley High Street

8.45am - 2.30pm: Cuckfield High Street, B2114

8.55am - 3pm: Burgess Hill – B2036

9am - 3.30pm: Clayton Hill – A273

10.04am - 4.30pm: Brighton – Madeira Drive

Pubs taking part

Adding to this year’s spectacle, many of the busy pubs along the 60-mile route will opening early and supporting the event’s charity partner The Movember Foundation.

Veteran Car Run Pubs Supporting The Movember Foundation

The Feathers, 42 High Street, Merstham, Redhill, RH1 3EA

The Black Swan, Old Brighton Road, Pease Pottage, Crawley, RH11 9AJ

Red Lion Inn, Handcross, Haywards Heath, RH17 6BP

The Jolly Tanners, Staplefield, Haywards Heath, RH17 6EF

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Victory Inn, Warninglid Road, Staplefield, Haywards Heath, RH17 6EU

Rose & Crown, London Road, Cuckfield, Haywards Heath, RH17 5BS

White Harte Inn, South Street, Cuckfield, Haywards Heath, RH17 5LB

The Potter, 129 Station Road, Burgess Hill, RH15 9ED

Burgess Hill Inn, Keymer Road, Burgess Hill, RH15 0AD

Friars Oak, London Road, Hassocks, BN6 9NA

Jack & Jill, Brighton Road, Clayton, Hassocks, BN6 9PD