London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2010 – Report and Photos

The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2010 was held Sunday, 7 November in London, with 505 veteran cars crossing the start line in Hyde Park, the first time over 500 cars started the event since Centenary event of 1996. After the storms of 2009, the sun shone this year on the intrepid veteran car owners who participated in the 77th running of the Royal Automobile Club’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.

The large crowd in Hyde Park also witnessed the start by the four wheeled stars of the 1953 film Genevieve, with Quirina Louwman at the wheel of the Darracq two-seater known as Genevieve, with her father Evert Louwman at the wheel of the Spyker double-phaeton that Kenneth More drove in the film. This was the first time the two cars have participated in the Run together, the Spyker making its first appearance for many years.

The sunshine meant the 60-mile route was lined by cheering crowds, with thousands lining Madeira Drive in Brighton to welcome the cars at the finish. One of the first cars to reach the finish was the 1903 Sunbeam that was bought at Friday’s LBVCR Auction at Bonhams and was driven by British Racing Drivers’ Club Chairman Robert Brooks on behalf of the new owner.

Of the 505 starters, 433 reached the finish at Brighton, a great achievement for cars that ranged in age from 116 to 105 years old.

London to Brighton Veteran Car Run Event Director Roger Etcell said: “Once again the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run has been an event that the UK can be very proud of and the sunshine certainly helped attract large crowds along the entire 60-mile route today. We received 572 entries, the highest number for 14 years, and 505 of these took the start in Hyde Park – again a new record for recent events. We once again increased the number of international entries with 142 overseas participants who travelled from all over the world, including China, Australia, Argentina, United States, Canada and Europe. On behalf of The Royal Automobile Club our thanks go to the over 400 volunteer marshals, supporting police officers, council staff and other agencies who make today’s event possible. I would also like to thank our many sponsors, including our joint title sponsors Tindle Newspapers and Bonhams. Our congratulations go to all of the participants who made it to Brighton and we look forward to seeing everyone again on Sunday 6 November 2011 when we will be celebrating Germany as manufacturing nation and the 125th anniversary of the first patented motorcar which was produced by Benz.”

The annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is a celebration of the Emancipation Run held on 14 November 1896. The Run takes place on the first Sunday in November; this year on Sunday 7 November, with the first car leaving Hyde Park at official sunrise (07:04hrs).

The event is run for cars manufactured up to 31 December 1904 and the 2010 LBVCR has again attracted a maximum entry of 550 vehicles from all over the world. The annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is organised and promoted by Motion Works on behalf of The Royal Automobile Club, an agreement that started from early 2004.

Photographer Tim Scott of Fluid Images documented this year’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, offering the following 180 images that capture the indelible spirit of the race. To see more from Tim, visit fluidimages.co.uk.

London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2010 – Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture)

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[Source: LBVCR; photo credit: Tim Scott / Fluid Images]