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Grant Ford braved the early autumn cold recently to view the 2013 London to Brighton event. Here’s his report from the roadside as the vintage racers passed by.
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Just fewer than 400 pre 1905 machines waited at Hyde Park for the start of the 2013 London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, the first of them were released slightly early as dawn broke. The route would take them onto the A23 out of London via Croyden, across the M25 through Redhill to the halfway point and service area in Crawley town centre, known as the Harrods Stop.
Prior to the event it was announced this year was to be a first as three of the racing Napier’s from 1902/3 were entered. There had been entries from these magnificent machines in the past but never three together. Although the commentator at Crawley assured us that the VCR was ‘not a race’ I feel sure someone forgot to inform the Napier drivers, judging by their performance. The first a 6.5 litre from 1902 came into the service area in Crawley at some pace, the co-driver grabbed two hot coffees, had his time card stamped and they were away, still first on the road. Following the 6.5 litre was his bigger team mate the 11.1 litre Napier from 1903, this veteran was given some rest time as the drivers took advantage of the Harrods beverages. Third to arrive a real star from 1950s cinema, ‘Genevieve’, the 2 cylinder 12 HP Darracq from 1904 looking splendid in the early morning sunlight. The machines began to arrive in larger numbers and the third of the mighty Napier’s the 7.7 litre from 1903 only stopped to collect the required stamp and then was gone.
None of the early race machines would reach Madeira Drive on Brighton seafront first, that pleasure went to Allan White in his Darracq from 1902. By mid-morning Crawley town centre was full 100 year old machines cheered on by the enthusiastic crowd that had gathered in great numbers.
Following the veterans on towards the South Downs the steep hills caused some to struggle. Repairs road side are all part of the adventure and if the gradient is too much a 4×4 will assist, very few wanted to accept help but some had no choice. The sixty mile route is a real endurance test, no fast sections and parts are very narrow, especially through the picturesque villages. Mile after mile were lined with cheering crowds, every verge or layby was occupied with young and old enjoying the sight of something quite unique. Once onto Preston Park in Brighton the test was over, now it was a chance to relax and enjoy the few miles to the sea front and the thousands that greeted the 341 machines and their crews who received a medal for arriving before 4.30pm.
While it may not strictly be a ‘competitive’ event, there’s little doubt that the entrants took great pride at the pace of their driving and despite the advancing years, these old racers were travelling just as fast as the did in period.
Word & Pictures Grant Ford
