Dear Participant,

2020 LONDON TO BRIGHTON VETERAN CAR RUN CANCELLED

I am sorry to have to inform you that, despite our best efforts, we have been forced to cancel this year’s RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. Given that the Run has taken place without interruption since 1947, the decision to cancel has been taken with great reluctance and a heavy heart.

In making this decision, the Royal Automobile Club consulted the Veteran Car Run Steering Group, the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain and the event’s partners, regrettably concluding that there was no option other than to cancel due to the compound impact of recent events. We worked tirelessly with the authorities along the route to try and deliver a Run which would be safe for participants, staff and any spectators, as we were determined to maintain this long-standing national tradition.

Last week, we were informed that we could no longer finish in Brighton due to a local recent increase in CV-19 cases. While we were working on an alternative safe finish, yesterday’s increase to Tier 2 restrictions in London increased the risk further meaning that the Run is now no longer possible. We know that this will be disappointing to you, as it is to us.

I would like to thank all of you who committed to supporting the Run by entering this year. In our efforts to make this year’s Run possible, we have already incurred significant costs which the Royal Automobile Club has underwritten. Unfortunately, cancellation for events beyond our control means that we will not be able to refund your entry fee.

In the meantime, we are determined to ensure that this year’s event, the 90th Anniversary of the Veteran Car Club, is marked by encouraging you to participate in a ‘Virtual Run’ by getting your veteran car out locally on Sunday 1 November, complying with local CV-19 restrictions and joining up on social media. We will be sending you more information about this next week.

It is important that veteran cars should not be driven along the route on Sunday 1 November, as safety measures will not be in place, and this action has the potential to damage the reputation of the veteran car community and jeopardise future events.

I look forward to joining you ‘online’ on 1 November 2020 and, next year, celebrating the 125th Anniversary of the Run in style on Sunday 7 November 2021.

Thank you for your commitment, encouragement and support; we very much hope to see you on the road next year.

Miles Wade CBE (Goose Live Events)
Chairman of the Veteran Car Run Steering Group
and Secretary of the Royal Automobile Club