FEATURE
KEEPING THE SHOW ON THE ROAD
The RAC is teaming up with StarterMotor in a new initiative for 2021 . James Page finds out more …
Between Hyde Park and Madeira Drive , somewhere in the region of 30 patrols from RAC Motoring Services are on hand to provide backup to participants . The Run throws up a very different set of circumstances from their day-to-day operations with modern cars , so the first thing patrols have to do is empty their vans of all the usual equipment and replace it with kit tailored to working on veteran cars .
Most of those involved have plenty of experience on the Run so they know exactly what they ’ re likely to need , but if there ’ s a requirement to bring in new people , only the very best-performing patrols in the country are considered during the recruitment process . For the 2021 Run , there will be patrols travelling to the south-east from as far afield as Bristol and Manchester .
‘ The main thing about being in an RAC patrol is to think outside the box ,’ says Tony Cullum , a regional patrol leader at RAC Motoring Services . ‘ You ’ ve not got that garage equipment round you , or that part that you can get delivered in two days ’ time . We ’ ve had con-rods snap , and we ’ ve taken them out and welded them back together . It ’ s such an achievement for these vehicles to complete the Run and we ’ ll do everything to get them to Brighton .’
The company is also about to start its own apprenticeship programme , which is appropriate given the fact that for the 2021 Run its patrols will be joined by young enthusiasts courtesy of StarterMotor . The Bicester Heritage-based charity aims to introduce the next generation to the world of historic cars – whether via careers opportunities , events , resources or even just access to the cars themselves – and currently supports 190 apprentices at three different academies . One of its main aims is to get youngsters involved as participants rather than observers , and being part of the RAC Motoring Services back-up team for the Veteran Car Run is a perfect way of doing that .
‘ The guys are very excited about it ,’ says David Withers from StarterMotor . ‘ It ’ ll be a brilliant experience for them and , with so many cars entered , anything could happen .’
42 The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run