The London to Brighton Car Run
The first London to Brighton run took place on November 14th, 1896. It was org
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to celebrate the passing of a law which made it easier for cars in Britain to be driven on the roads. Before then, the law req
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a driver and an engineer in the car and a man walking in front of the veh
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with a red flag warning of its approach.
Since then, this annual run has become one of the most popular events on the British motoring calendar, w
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crowds of over one million lining the route. Only the v
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oldest cars, constructed during the ten years between 1895 and 1905, are allowed to take part in it. Lovingly polished by their drivers, who are dressed in the clothing of the period, the cars leave Hyde Park in London at 7:30 am and ar
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, hopefully, in Brighton some three hours later.
The 60-mile run is not a race-there"s an official coffee stop on the way and the cars are restricted to an average speed of only 30kph. The only rew
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for finishing is a medal, which is awarded to everyone who r
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Brighton before 4: 00pro. The run traditionally att
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participants from all four corners of the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. Since the youngest car is nearly a hundred years old, some of them b
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down of course. But for the owners of the 400-plus vehicles, it"s simply being there that brings the greatest pleasure.