1902 Darracq leads 400 veterans on the charge to Brighton

| 4 Nov 2013

Allan White's 1902 Darracq was first to cross the finish line on Madeira Drive in Brighton, leading home nearly 400 veteran cars yesterday (3 November).

More than 340 of the 385 starters successfully completed the 60 miles to the seaside by the 4.30pm deadline having left London's Hyde Park from 7am.

Among the famous faces participating were Pink Floyd musician Nick Mason plus Mike Brewer and Edd China from Wheeler Dealers, aboard a recently restored 1903 Darracq. Another film star was the Darracq from the classic 1953 movie Genevieve starring Kenneth Moore and Diana Sheridan (main image).

Despite the London to Brighton Run's 117-year history, there was an innovation for 2013 when a regularity section was added to the route, the prize being taken by Philip Oldman's 1902 Mors.

Most of the attention, however, surrounded the trio of Napier racers that were taking part as an ensemble for the first time and echoing their association with the Gordon Bennett Cup races.  

They were led by the first British car to win an international motor race, the 6.5-litre Napier that SF Edge piloted to victory in the 1902 Paris-Innsbruck race.

The other Napiers were the 7.7-litre and 11.1-litre examples that competed in the Gordon Bennett Cup races in 1903 and 1904.

Other entrants of note included the electrically powered 1901 Waverley driven by Michael Ward, MD of Harrods, and the 50th appearance on the event of Sir Ray Tindle, driving his faithful single-cylinder 1904 Speedwell Dogcart

More pictures

Allan White's 1902 Darracq arrives in Brighton.

Students from Imperial College continue an 80-year tradition by crossing Westminster Bridge in Boanerges. Read all about this historic entry here.

Classic cars glided their way through the Sussex countryside.

Many spectators lined the streets throughout the run.