GEARING UP FOR THE WORLD'S OLDEST MOTORING EVENT

The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run EFG International Concours dElegance winners announcedThe London to Brighton Veteran Car Run three-day weekend celebration of motoring has started in style, as 100 pre-1905 vehicles are showcased in the prestigious EFG International Concours d'Elegance complete with their owners and drivers in period costume. Here the world's premier concours event for veteran cars were joined by low energy use vehicles as they arrived from Brighton having completed the RAC Future Car Challengesome of which had not have been seen on UK roads before including Vauxhalls HydroGen4, and the Jaguar XJ_e PHEV models which, instead of the 5-litre V8 of the standard XJ, utilise a specially developed 2-litre turbocharged engine coupled with a 69kW electric motor and a 12.3kWh lithium-ion battery.The RAC Future Car Challenge is staged annually during the same November weekend as the Veteran Car Run to actively promote, demonstrate and challenge new low-energy technology and echo the pioneering start of motoring in 1896. Just as the pioneering 19th Century event demonstrated the capabilities of the new found horseless carriage, this 21st Century event provides the platform to demonstrate the first radical change of the power of motor vehicles since that time.Regent Street, was closed for the day, and played host to what has now become the Regent Street Motor Show, a celebration of 19th, 20th & 21st centuries of motoring heritage and evolution.The central stage was sponsored by the RAC Motoring Services, and provided non-stop entertainment, celebrity interviews, as well as interviews with industry figures and event participants. The EFG International Concours dElegance awards brought the stage activities to an appropriate close, and were presented as follows:Concours dEleganceSponsored by EFG International Criteria: The car which most embodies the spirit of the veteran era, in the composition of the coach work, paintwork and upholstery. Vehicle: (start no 14) 1898c Daimler Four-seater Entrant: Mr Miguel Gonzalez / Mr Lukas HuniConcours dEquipeSponsored by Austin Reed Criteria: For the vehicle, drivers and passengers who will be wearing appropriate period dress that, in the view of the judges, symbolises the veteran era. Vehicle: (start no 265) 1903c Pierce Stanhope Entrant: Mr Darren ParkerMost Historic Veteran CarSponsored by Montul Criteria: For the motor car with the most impressive provenance in either continuous ownership or historic connections. Vehicle: (start no 103) 1903 Progress Voiterette Entrant: Mr Steven SpicerMost Original/Unrestored VeteranSponsored by Bonhams Criteria: The vehicle which most accurately represents the specification of the vehicle when new, in every detail, this may be an unrestored vehicle. Vehicle: (start no 20) 1898c Peugeot Vis-a-vis Entrant: Mr Patrick CalzavaraJudges Special AwardSponsored by Abels Moving Services Ltd Criteria: An award with no specific or technical criteria, but given to the car selected as the Judges favourite of the day for whatever reasonas they see fit. Vehicle: (start no 498) 1904 Mercedes Tourer Entrant: Mr Albert EberhardSpectators Special AwardSponsored by Bonhams and Tindle Newspapers Criteria: As voted by the public for their favourite veteran car of the day. Vehicle: (start no 14) 1898c Daimler Four-seater Entrant: Mr Miguel Gonzalez / Mr Lukas HuniBest British Manufactured Veteran CarSponsored by Tindle Newspapers Criteria: The best prepared Made in England Veteran Car Run vehicle Vehicle: (start no 322) 1903 Sunbeam Tonneau Entrant: Mr John Bentley / Mr BramallOverall WinnerSponsored by the Royal Automobile Club Criteria: The overall winner as nominated by the Judges. Vehicle: (start no 206) 1902 Napier Tonneau Entrant: Mr Clive BoothmanRunner UpSponsored by the Royal Automobile Club Criteria: The runner up as nominated by the Judges Vehicle: (start number 176) 1902c Goessant Tonneau Entrant: Mr Patrick Calzavara / Mr Patrice CoutantOn Friday 2 November, event sponsors Bonhams hosted an impressive Veteran Car Run auction at its New Bond Street premises in London. Of the 14 vehicles auctioned, four were eligible for the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run on the Sunday and came complete with an official entryso collectors were able to buy on the Friday and take part on the Sunday.The sale saw an extremely rare 1904 Wilson-Pilcher go under the hammer. The Wilson-Pilcher 12/16hp Four-Cylinder Four-seat Phaeton (Lot 214) is thought to be the sole surviving example of its type and has been owned by its creator's family since it was built more than a century ago. It is an extremely rare veteran motor car built by an inventor credited with the invention and development of the first tank. The vehicle has taken part in the annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run several times since its first outing in 1952. Tim Schofield, Director of the Bonhams UK Motor Car department, said: This rare car, one of the earliest successes of one of the most important engineers and inventors this country has ever seen, is was a fantastic addition to our annual veteran car sale. The vehicle was sold for 203,100.Another notable vehicle was Lot 203 - a 1903 Vauxhall 5hp Two-seater Light Car ordered new for Percy Kidner, Vauxhall Managing Director, believed to be the oldest known surviving Vauxhall. Vauxhall's works order book shows that car no. 0335 was ordered on 6th November 1903 for Vauxhall Director, Percy Kidner, at a director's price. The remarkable history file with this car contained many invoices and records of repair and maintenance during the Bernhardt family ownership, along with Dr. Bernhardt's driving licence from 1903 and much more. This was the first time this significantly important car had been offered on the open market for 108 years, it was described in the catalogue as having a history that is 'truly remarkable and represents a landmark car in the history of one of England's premier motor car manufacturers'. The vehicle was sold for 94,460.Several cars at the Bonhams sale included accepted entries for the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run including a 1900 Darracq 6hp Four seater Voiturette, a 1903 De Dion Bouton Model Q 6hp Two-Seat Victoria which has already completed the last 14 Runs, a 1904 Richard-Brasier Four-Cylinder 16hp Side-Entrance Tonneau made in France and a pretty blue 1904 Humberette 'Royal Beeston' originally owned by Harry Gough of South Yorkshire.The annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run takes place tomorrow (Sunday 4 November 2012) one hundred and sixteen years since it was first run. Over 500 pre-1905 vehicles will assemble at Hyde Park for the official sunrise start of 07:00am, as their way from Hyde Park in London to Madeira Drive, Brighton. Taking place on public roads, it is a free rolling museum for spectators. With many drivers and passengers dressed in period costume, the event really does turn back the clock to the pioneering days of motoring. Many enthusiasts gather at various locations along the 60 mile route to support the drivers and passengers of these wonderful nostalgic vehicles.This year the thousands of spectators who line the route will be also be treated to the sight of some well-known facesincluding Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, TV adventurer Charley Boorman, Coronation Street actor Tony Hirst and former Formula One drivers Jochen Mass and Sir Stirling Moss OBE.The following are just some of the popular viewing locations: ■The START in Hyde Park - Apsley Gate, Hyde Park Corner ■Westminster Bridge ■Croydon - Old Town Bridge ■Crawley - Old Town Centre ■Along B2115/B2114 via Cuckfield ■Along B2036 via Burgess Hill ■Along A273 via Clayton Hill ■The Formal Finish - Preston Park Brighton/The Ceremonial FINISH - Madeira Drive, Brighton