London to Brighton 30th Classic Car Run – Sunday 3rd June 2018

321 Classic Cars (including 4 Figaros) cruise their way in warm sunshine from Greenwich Park London to Madeira Drive Brighton (via Penshurst Place, Kent).

Ever since we owned our little Figaro named ‘Belle’ we simply love turning up to events and showing off these wonderful little cars. According to the organisers information, our departure time from Greenwich Park was 10.34 so we’d decided to get there at 9.00 and take in the atmosphere and grab some breakfast. Arriving almost bang on 9, we were waved on by marshals to “park anywhere you can see a gap”. As we parked, within seconds we had people around the car all asking the normal questions (What is it? When was it made? How many did they make? Etc). We made our way to the bandstand to queue and collect our rally bag which contained the important route book. It was time to have a study whilst Sue got the coffee and bacon sarnie. I had never used the tulip type book before (uses arrows, diagrams for each turn) but it looked simple enough. The book also contained a full list of entrants so I scanned this list and found 3 other Figs on the list.

Looking at my watch, time was moving on so we dropped the roof, installed ourselves and prepared for the off. Making our way to start a little bit early the marshal told us we could go! Sue put her foot down and we were off, making are way to the exit where the route told u to take the 1^st turning to the left. I had decided to follow the tip of ticking off each route line so I knew where I was. The first 30 minutes was painful as it included sitting in non-moving traffic awaiting traffic lights to change. Checking behind, I could see a number of old classics following us, so hoped we had not made any errors. As we started to leave London and make are way towards Penshurst, at last the road opened out in front of us as we enjoyed the pretty winding country lanes of Kent.

Arriving at Penshurst Place at 13.00 the field was full of classic cars. We could see a Green Figaro so went and parked next to it. Minutes later the owner came over and it was Sophie Luck who was with her Dad. It was time for a cuppa and stretch our legs around the fantastic gardens. With 48 acres of Grounds, including the 11-acre formal Grade I listed gardens it was clear that we needed much more time to do them any justice. We took the info and made a mental note to return again for a day visit.

Back in car it was time for leg 2 a distance of 46.9 miles. We left in lovely warm sunshine heading for Tunbridge Wells. This point it did feel as if we could have been out for a Sunday drive and not really part of a rally or run at all? The route took us over and around some spectacular scenery and we ended up climbing to the top of Ditchling Beacon. Wow what a view and we could now see the sea! Keeping a close eye on the temperature gauge we slowed to just 20mph to allow our little 1ltr engine to cool down. We made our way down towards Brighton & Hove and joined the A259 towards Madeira Drive.

Turning into the venue entrance the marshals told us to go through and park where we can. With the sun out and being a Sunday afternoon Brighton was incredibly busy. Hot and tired, we parked up and made our way to get a well-earned ice cream. It was now time to take in and enjoy just a few of the wonderful cars in display.

Words & Pictures by Kevin Fagan – Founder of The Figaro Owners Club

CLUB MEMBERS WHO ATTENDED (DRIVERS ONLY)

Sue Fagan, Dee Davis, Andrew Muffett & Sophie Luck

History of event

The original London to Brighton Veteran Car Run has been taking place every November since 1927 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.

Run by GE Classic Motor Events, this classic car run commenced back is 1988 and gives owners of vintage and classic cars the chance to take part in their own run on a usually warmer day in June complete with a self-guided scenic tour to Brighton which changes each year and attracts many regular participants.

In 2000 an additional run was launched to cater for modern sports cars, kit and replica vehicles, meaning that our London to Brighton runs are available to all motoring enthusiasts!

Published on 5th June 2018

London to Brighton 30th Classic Car Run – Sunday 3rd June 2018

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