A road traffic accident involving an entrant in the Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run cast a shadow over the 121st running of the event, which took place on 5 November.
A 1902 Benz carrying four passengers was involved in a collision with three modern cars at Reigate Hill, Surrey. Two passengers in the Benz were taken to hospital with serious injuries, with a further two occupants admitted with minor injuries.
Following the incident, which happened at 11:35am, a number of veteran cars were diverted away from the area, though 315 of the 401 starters still made it to Madeira Drive in Brighton to collect their finishers’ medals.
Meanwhile, Robert Abrey took victory in the Chophard Regularity Trial at the wheel of his 1899 Daimler.
The event marked 121 years since the original Emancipation Run, which was held in 1896 to celebrate the Locomotive on the Highway Act. This raised the speed limit for ‘light locomotives’ from 4mph to 14mph and abolished the need for a man to walk ahead waving a red flag.
Greg MacLeman is a contributor to and former Features Editor of Classic & Sports Car, and drives a restored and uprated 1974 Triumph 2500TC