GATWICK AIRPORT FLIES TO SUPPORT THE WORLD'S OLDEST MOTORING EVENT

May 12, 2016 by London to Brighton Veteran Car Run

A warm welcome is promised as London's second Airport becomes an official partner

Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport, has been appointed the Official Airport and a partner of the 2016 Bonhams Veteran Car Run supported by Hiscox.

The Airport will be providing a warming drink to all participants at the start of the event – not just welcome but also likely to be much needed on an early November Sunday morning – and will be rewarding participants for their punctual arrival at the official finish line in Brighton's Madeira Drive.

The world's most efficient single runway airport will also be welcoming visitors to Crawley by providing them with hand warmers and the opportunity to sit inside a veteran car to have their photo taken. Crawley, a mere three miles away from the Airport is a major viewing area and gathering point where the public can get close to the pioneering horseless carriages.

Ben Cussons, Chairman of the Veteran Car Run Steering Group, said: 'We are delighted that Gatwick Airport has come on board as an official partner. It is perfectly positioned in the middle of the run equidistant from both London and Brighton. The supporters at Crawley will certainly receive a warm welcome and a chance to get closer to the action this year!'

Melanie Wrightson, Community Engagement Manager, Gatwick Airport, said: 'The London to Brighton corridor is an important UK transport link with Gatwick uniquely placed at the centre of this growth corridor. We are delighted to be sponsoring this year's Run and are particularly pleased the event will be returning to Crawley, the home town of Gatwick. We wish all the participants a successful event and applaud the pioneering spirit of all those involved in helping to make this event possible.'

This year's Run marks the 120th anniversary of the first 'Emancipation Run' from London to Brighton, which was held in November 1896. It marked the passing into law of the Locomotives on the Highway Act which raised the speed limit for 'light locomotives' from 4mph to 14mph and abolished the need for the vehicles to be preceded by a man carrying a red flag.

As tradition dictates, the Run – which has been organised by the Royal Automobile Club since 1930 – will take place on the first Sunday on November, which this year falls on the 6th. More than 400 three- and four-wheelers – all built before 1905 – will take part in the Run.

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The Run is just one element of the Royal Automobile Club's London Motor Week – a seven-day celebration of motoring, which includes an art exhibition, motoring heritage lectures, a motoring forum and a motoring books awards evening. The penultimate event in the week is the free-to-view Regent Street Motor Show, on Saturday 5 November, which turns London's premier shopping street into a motoring showcase that puts the spotlight on veterans and moderns alike. And just before 7am on Sunday 6 November the Club's premier event, the 120th anniversary Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Run supported by Hiscox, gets underway.

For more details of the event and access to registration forms visit www.veterancarrun.com.

About Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run supported by Hiscox

With its unique atmosphere and camaraderie, the Bonhams Veteran Car Run supported by Hiscox travelling from London to Brighton (staged specifically as a non-profit making veneration) commemorates the Emancipation Run of 14 November 1896, which celebrated the Locomotives on the Highway Act. The Act raised the speed limit for 'light locomotives' from 4 to 14mph and abolished the need for these vehicles to be preceded by a man on foot waving a red flag.

The Emancipation Run was first commemorated in 1897 with a re-enactment following the same route in 1927 and has taken place every November since, with the exception of the war years and 1947 when petrol was rationed. The Royal Automobile Club has managed the Run with the support of the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain since 1930.

About The Royal Automobile Club

The Royal Automobile Club was founded in 1897 and its distinguished history mirrors that of motoring itself. In 1907, the Club was awarded its Royal title by King Edward VII, sealing the Club's status as Britain's oldest and most influential motoring organisation.

The Club's early years were focused on promoting the motor car and its place in society, which developed into motoring events such as the 1000 Mile Trial, first held in 1900. In 1905, the Club held the first Tourist Trophy, which remains the oldest continuously competed for motor sports event. The Club promoted the first pre-war and post-war Grands Prix at Brooklands in 1926 and Silverstone in 1948 respectively, whilst continuing to campaign for the rights of the motorist, including introducing the first driving licences.

Today, the Club continues to develop and support automobilism through representation on the Motor Sport Association (MSA), Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and RAC Foundation, while continuing to promote its own motoring events, such as the free-to-attend Regent Street Motor Show and the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.

The Royal Automobile Club also awards a series of historic trophies and medals celebrating motoring achievements. These include the Segrave Trophy, the Tourist Trophy, the Simms Medal, the Dewar Trophy and the Torrens Trophy.

https://www.royalautomobileclub.co.uk/

About London Gatwick

Gatwick Airport is the UK's second largest airport and the most efficient single-runway airport in the world. It serves more than 200 destinations in 90 countries for more than 40 million passengers a year on short and long-haul point-to-point services. It is also a major economic driver for the South East region, generating around 21,000 on-airport jobs and a further 10,000 jobs through related activities. The airport is south of Central London with excellent public transport links, including the Gatwick Express, and is part of the Oyster contactless payment network. Gatwick Airport is owned by a group of international investment funds, of which Global Infrastructure Partners is the largest shareholder.