London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2012

Annual run which began in 1896 when the law requiring motorists to have a man bearing a red flag preceding their cars was abolished and car owners celebrated by destroying their flags and setting off for Brighton in the 'Emancipation Run'. The first organised run took place in 1993 and today the event attracts owners of veteran cars built pre-1905 from all over the world. Sunday's rally is preceded by a display of the cars on Regent Street on Saturday afternoon, with drivers in period costume and demonstration runs, as part of the Regent Street Motor Show. The run itself takes place on Sunday, when the first car leaves Hyde Park at sunrise (around 7am) and the 500 drivers taking part attempt to cross the finish line in Madeira Drive, Brighton, before 4.30pm. Cars to look out for include a 109-year-old Oldsmobile driven by Joy Rainey, who is using the Run as a warm-up for a 2,826-mile journey across America she plans to make next year.