2006 Brighton Run

Genevieve A 1953 English film starring a 1904 Darracq twin-cylinder, 10/12 hp motor car built in Paris. It's a story about two motor cars in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. The Run has been held since 1927 to commemorate the raising of the speed limit, in 1896, from 4 mph to 12 mph. Genevieve played to packed houses all around the world and promoted the antique car hobby as it had never been before. The ownership of an old car changed from a passing interest of a few enthusiasts to a major international hobby with the Brighton Run as the world's biggest motoring Event! We need a sequel, Genevieve II, to do now what Genevieve did back then in 1953.

On the Genevieve Web Site, click on "The Car" and the "Picture Gallery" too has some great pictures. A must read for every old car nut is "London-to-Brighton" for an almost mile-by-mile accounting of the year 2000 Brighton Run. Be sure to read all the pages.

Genevieve
Cast: John Gregson, Dinah Sheridan, Kenneth More, Kay Kendall
Director: Henry Cornelius

Two young couples race from London to Brighton in a vintage car rally.

A big THANK YOU to CHERI RUNNFELDT for putting together the following history:

History - Run to Brighton
Why is the run, run on a November Sunday than a Sunday in the summer or when it is warmer? This is the question that is most asked.
The reason dates back to a day in November 1896, that day being Saturday 14th and it is now known as a red-letter day in the history of British motoring.
The Emancipation Run from London to Brighton celebrated the passing into law of the "Locomotives on the Highway Act", which raised the speed limit for 'Light Locomotives' from 4 miles per hour to 14 mph and also abolished the requirement to be preceded by a man on foot.
The need for the man on foot to carry a red flag had actually been abolished in 1878, but the Locomotive Act was still widely known as the 'Red Flag Act'. At the start of the 1896 run, a red flag was symbolically destroyed by Lord Winchilsea.
The 1896 event was a demonstration that the automobile had come to stay. The organizers' instructions stated: "Owners and drivers should remember that motor cars are on trial in England and that any rashness or carelessness might injure the industry in this country."
The run of 33 cars was from the Metropole Hotel in London to the Metropole Hotel in Brighton.
Only 14 of the 33 starters reached Brighton, although it was hinted that one car was taken down to Brighton by train and covered with mud before crossing the finishing line!
Not all early Runs were to Brighton: Richmond, Southsea and Oxford were among the destinations and not all starts were at Hyde Park. In 1930, the Royal Automobile Club - as Britain's senior motoring club - took over the organization. It was King Edward VII who, in 1907, commanded that the Automobile Club of Great Britain & Ireland should be known as the Royal Automobile Club
The run, with the exception of the war years and 1947, when petrol rationing was in force, has been run annually.
More interest than usual was aroused in 1971, when Her Majesty the Queen entered (but alas did not drive) a 70-year-old Daimler originally owned by her great grandfather King Edward VII and once driven by her father, King George VI. The car has been on the run and completed the 56 odd miles in the past few years driven by staff from the Royal household.

H H Prince Michael of Kent, President of the Royal Automobile Club, (seen on the left driving the VCC's 1902 Wolseley in 1984) is a regular participant. He has driven a variety of vehicles, including the royal 1900 Daimler. Other vehicles include a 1903 De Dion Bouton, a 1899 Wolseley, a 1903 De Dietrich, a 1904 Mercedes and a 1903 Napier Racing car.
For Prince Michael's other activities - visit his Web site at http://www.princemichael.org.uk

The Brighton Run now ranks as one of Britain's biggest motoring spectacles and attracts entrants from around the world, eager to take part.

The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is organized by Motion Works UK Ltd. for the Royal Automobile Club. Prior to 2004 the run was organized by the Motor Sports Association (MSA) for the RAC and then the International Motor Sports (IMS) for the MSA/RAC. Motion Works has been given contract for 5 years ending 2008.

Text Box: The annual event takes place on the first Sunday of every November and commemorates the Emancipation Run of 14 November 1896 which celebrated the passing into law of the Locomotives on the Highway Act, which raised the speed limit for `light locomotives' from 4 mph to 14 mph and abolished the requirement for these vehicles to be preceded by a man on foot.
The law required the man on foot to carry a red flag but the requirement was actually abolished in 1878. However, the Locomotive Act was still widely known as the “Red Flag Act” and a red flag was symbolically destroyed at the start of the Emancipation Run, by Lord Winchilsea.
Over 30 pioneer motorists set off from London on the 1896 Run to endure the rough roads to the Sussex seaside resort but only 14 of the starters actually made the journey, and some evidence exists that one car was taken by rail and covered with mud before crossing the finishing line!
The next run was staged in 1927 as a re-enactment of the 1896 Run and organized by the motoring editor of the Daily Sketch. The Run has taken place every November thereafter, with the exception of the war years and 1947 when petrol rationing was in force. From 1930 to the present day the event has been owned and professionally organized by The Royal Automobile Club.
Not a race but an endurance of man and machine the annual event today attracts some 500 automobiles with an eligibility criteria that requires the cars to be of four or three wheel design and certified that their build took place prior to the 1 January 1905. Occasionally however the organizers invite a small number of vehicles just out of period to join the celebration.alanndiane@sbcglobal.net
Many famous celebrities including members of the Royal Family have been seen on the Run and for many years the 60 mile route has been lined with over one million spectators standing in the early winter Sunday mornings to cheer the drivers of this wonderful spectacle of early motoring.
The world's longest running motoring event attracts entrants from all over the world. In the 1996 Centenary Run some 680 cars and drivers took part with over 100 of the participants having shipped their cars from all over Europe and across the globe from America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand etc.

To owners of Veteran cars worldwide it represents the high point of the year's Veteran car events and a rare opportunity to take their extraordinary cars to a wider audience.

We all appreciate the Tour Route put together by Bob Grutza, the President of the North Shore Chapter, with help from John Breyton. Bob has been President for three years and the driving force behind the Region's Lake Forest Auto Show for six years. John's been on our web site in "Members in the News" for a couple of years now with his letter in OCW. He's brought his '37 to a number of Grayslake and Lake Forest Shows. Thanks to Cheri Runnfeldt for lunch and registration.