The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run (LBVCR), the world's longest running motoring event, offers something for everyone and is completely free for the general public to spectate on Saturday 3 November in Regent Street and on Sunday 4 November between Hyde Park, London and Madeira Drive in Brighton.

The LBVCR International Concours takes place in Regent Street on Saturday 3 November and offers the chance for the general public to come along and see some of the best examples of late 19th and early 20th Century motoring history in one of the grandest settings London has to offer.  Spectators can get up close to the cars on display, watch the cars complete demonstration runs and even vote for their favourite vehicle as they compete for the Spectators Special Award, one of seven awards presented on the day.

On Sunday 4 November 531 pre 1905 veteran cars will set off from Hyde Park at sunrise (7:01am) and travel the 60 miles to Brighton on the majority of the A23 via Croydon and Crawley, finishing on Brighton seafront.  Thousands of spectators line the route and also take the opportunity to see the cars up close at the official stop in Crawley old town centre and at many of the unofficial stops that line the traditional route.

“The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is one of the biggest free events for spectators in the UK,” said LBVCR Event Director Roger Etcell.  “The International Concours in Regent Street gives the general public unrivalled access to some of the best examples of early motoring. We even get them involved with the day by having a special Spectators Award where they can vote for their favourite and win a prize themselves in a special free draw.” 

“The main event itself on Sunday gives everyone a great opportunity to see many of the 531 entries on the road between London and Brighton,” Mr. Etcell continued.  The Run is very popular with spectators, especially at the Croydon drive through, the official stop in Crawley centre and at the finish in Brighton, where thousands gather.  This year is the second year of the LBVCR Photo Competition where people can enter their photographs taken on the day to win special prizes, with the overall winner receiving a passenger seat on a veteran car for the 2008 LBVCR.  We've even got a special Mobile Phone category, so you don't have to be David Bailey to stand a chance of winning.” 

Event Background

The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is a celebration of the Emancipation Run held in 1896.  Thirty vehicles travelled the 60-miles from London to Brighton to mark the passing into law of the Light Locomotives Act which raised the speed limit from 4mph to 14mph and did away with the requirement for a person to walk in front of a vehicle waving a red flag to warn other road users    The first reenactment was in 1927 and the LBVCR has been held every year except during World War II and in 1947 due to fuel rationing.

In 2006 the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run event attracted in excess of 500,000 spectators to London's Regent Street and along the 60-mile route from London to Brighton, with the official coffee stop in Crawley High Street, outside the George Hotel as featured on the original 1896 Run.

The 531 entries, all built between 1895 and 1904 and collectively worth in excess of £50million, include three electric vehicles built between 1900 and 1903, nineteen steam vehicles and 102 International entries from as far away as Australia, United States of America, Canada, Mexico, South Africa and China.