FEATURE
The Tacon family have a long London to
Brighton history ( bottom left and opposite ). The students from Imperial College are regulars on the Run in their smart blazers ( top left , bottom right ). George Hudson has been participating in the Run with his family ‘ since birth ’ ( top right )
“ I really enjoy the support that everyone gives to each other , the wonderful spectators who keep you going through all weathers , and above all the spirit of the event ...”
going through all weathers , and above all the spirit of the event – which lasts from loading the cars ready for the journey , through to the Sunday night .’
Vyvyan Bewley ( 17 ) did his first Run in 2007 at the age of four : ‘ I have been a passenger all my life but this will be my first time driving our 1896 Léon Bollée three-wheeler and I ’ m raring to go ! It ’ s very smooth to drive and an absolute pleasure . The neutral , brake and
engagement of the chosen gear works by moving the back wheel all the way forwards to brake on the pads , halfway for neutral , and all the way back to tighten the belt and engage it into gear . That ’ s the easy part – slowing down the flywheel and changing gears is the real art and a hard one to master .
‘ The Run has a lot of sentimental value to me and is always a thrill , although my favourite part is not knowing whether you ’ ll make it all the way , whether the car will start , and whether it ’ ll go up the hills .’
George Medd-Tacon ( 20 ) is an undergraduate at Durham University and , like Vyvyan , 2021 will be the first time he ’ s actually driven to Brighton after many years as a passenger . His grandfather started doing the Run during the 1950s , and George will have his mother alongside him as co-driver in their 1904 Autocar .
www . veterancarrun . com f / veterancarrun . I @ veterancarrun 39