Last year’s London to Brighton run went very smoothly, after much concern that we might get two on the same day.  When the MSA announced the cut off date would be extended from 1904 to 1907, there was outrage from the current competition.  Some 200 of them, threatened to run a rebel event on the same day, called the Red Flag Run.
Thankfully, common sense prevailed and after a meeting it was agreed that it would be pre-1905 for 2003.  For the 2002 event there would still be a small class for cars up to 1907.
The day dawned bright and sunny, with a good turn out of 7Oaks marshals at the finish on Madeira Drive, Brighton.  Myself and Chris Scudder were joined by Roy Dawson, Andy and Viv Elcomb, Peter Piper, Len Calver, Chris Barron, David and Christine Balderson and Ian Clark.
At around 10am we had a brief but heavy storm, which soaked many competitors at the checkpoint on the outskirts of Brighton.  We all sheltered in the 7Oaks Hospitality Unit (better known as Chris’s Peugeot Motorhome). The storm quickly passed and the sun returned to shine for the rest of the day.
Competitors were coming in thick and fast from the 400 plus entries despite a higher than usual retirement rate.  One of these included the Channel 4 ‘s Salvage Squad rebuilt steam car that only did a few miles, although one of the team did make it to Brighton in a car they hadn’t touched!  Former club member and ex-Valence Clerk of the Course Pete Clark finished in his Oldsmobile.  We also saw Pete Johnson at Brighton finish. Pete had completed the run with all the family.
There were many lady drivers making the finish, including Kate Baldock in her 3 wheel 2 seater, rear engined 1898 Léon Bolleé. Another interesting car that hasn’t been seen for a while was the 1896 single cylinder Arnold that was built in East Peckham, Kent.  The car had spent many years in the National Museum at Beaulieu, but is now actively used by Tim Scott.
This year’s event will take place on Sunday November 2nd 2003 and once again we as a club will be marshalling the finish at Brighton.  So if you would like to have more fun in waterproofs than you can imagine, call me on my home number 0208 467 9933 before 9pm.
Finally, as you are probably aware from previous issues, I am putting together a club history booklet for the club’s Golden Jubilee for 2004. If you have any interesting club anecdotes from the ‘50’s, ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s or the ‘00s, again please either give me a call or drop me a line.  I am also looking for back issues of the Acorn magazine between 1954 and 1957.  If you think you may have some lurking in a corner of your loft, then I would be very grateful for them.  Please overwhelm me!

Chris Dennis