There are just 31 days until the first of the 550 pre-1905 veteran cars participating in the 2008 London to Brighton Veteran Car Run (LBVCR) leaves Hyde Park to 
begin the 60-mile journey to Brighton. 2008 marks the 112th anniversary of the Emancipation Run held on the November 14th, 1896, making the LBVCR the world’s longest running motoring event.
The Run on Sunday, November 2nd is preceded by two days of activities, with the 2008 LBVCR auction at Bonhams New Bond Street Salerooms on Friday, October 31st and the LBVCR International Concours in Regent Street between 11am and 3pm on Saturday, November 1st.
The LBVCR has attracted a maximum entry of 550 participating veteran cars for the 2008 event, including 126 overseas entries from China, Australia, USA, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, South Africa and Europe. Twenty-six of the European entries are travelling from France, which is the celebrated manufacturing nation of the pre 1905 period this year.
Over 270 of the 550 veteran cars entered for the 2008 event were made in France at least 104 years ago and include the contemporary brands of Renault and Peugeot along with others such as Panhard, CGV, Gamage and Delahaye.
To help promote the French theme, dancers from the Moulin Rouge in Paris will be performing at the International Concours in Regent Street on Saturday, November 1st and then appearing at the start line in Hyde Park on Sunday, November 2nd before travelling down to Madeira Drive in Brighton to welcome the finishers at the end of their 60-mile journey.
Spectating on the day, and at the Regent Street Concours, is absolutely free of charge. The official route takes in the suburbs of London via Brixton, Lambeth and Streatham on the A23 and on through Norbury to Croydon and then the A235 to Purley reverting to the A23 to Redhill, Horley, Gatwick and onto the official coffee stop outside the George Hotel in Crawley. After Crawley the participants travel through the towns and villages on route to Brighton via Cuckfield and Burgess Hill before crossing the traditional finish line on Madeira Drive on Brighton’s seafront.
Further details on the event can be found on the official website at www.LBVCR.com with a full entry list, spectator maps, images, a video of the 2007 event and further comprehensive information on this spectacular event.
[Source: LBVCR]
