NEWS RELEASE

SMART KIDS

Monday 28 June 2004 - This year's Royal Automobile Club's London to Brighton Veteran Car Run celebrates the 100^th anniversary of the youngest car to take part.

Of the many cars already entered is a 1903 De Dion Bouton owned by two of this year's youngest entrants Olly and Katie Smart from Enfield, Middlesex.

Olly, 11 years old and Katie, 8 years old, have owned the car for one year and this will be their second year of participating in the event.

Bought for them by their parents, the car has a top speed of around 15 mph and with an open roof they are exposed to the elements, but as Olly commented �it does get very windy sometimes and we do get wet when it rains, but it is always an adventure�

Katie agrees �I prefer the De Dion Bouton to modern cars because it is a more exciting ride and I like being high up so I can see everything around me�.

Although their Father, Dickie Smart, will be driving the car with Mum navigating, Olly and Katy plan to continue entering the annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run when they are old enough to drive.

Olly and Katie do help to maintain the car by making sure it is always clean and doing the odd spot of painting when required, helping to keep it in its current fine condition.

The De Dion Bouton is one of the first French car marques dating back to as early as 1883 when the first steam powered tri-cycle was made.

They continued to make all kinds of steam powered vehicles and boats until 1889 when De Dion saw the petrol engined cars of Benz and Daimler and went on to rapidly develop their own petrol engine the same year.

The 1903 De Dion Bouton is one of many such vehicles taking part in this years' Run on Sunday 7 November when around 500 pre 1905 manufactured cars are expected to participate.

The annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is the world's longest running motoring event and the most testing veteran car endurance event. For detailed information about the new look 3-day event please visit www.LBVCR.com

ENDS

Note to editors:

1. For photo of Olly and Katie sitting in the 1903 De Dion Bouton please Email info@LBCR.com

2. The annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is organised by Motion Works UK Limited on behalf of The Royal Automobile Club. Please contact Motion Works on +44(0)1280 841 062 or info@LBVCR.com

3. For media information please contact the Event Media Officer, Wendy Nash on +44(0)1892 614 160 or wendy@LBVCR.com