A very happy Sarah Lee on arrival in Brighton in 2023 .
Sarah would regularly travel with Ruth , and it became a rite of passage for all the girls in the family to make the journey to Brighton with Ruth in the driving seat – something Caroline and Sabrina both did in their teens .
Brian and Ruth Moore each served as President of the Veteran Car Club , with Ruth the first and , so far , only lady in that prestigious role . Not surprisingly , Sarah and her three children could all drive veteran cars pretty competently from the age of about 17 .
Sarah is helming the Big Panhard to Brighton this year , and Sabrina is handling the family ’ s 1902 Darracq . Marking her 60th anniversary on the Run in 2024 , ‘ Victoria ’ is going again too – this time in William ’ s capable hands .
Another Sarah - Sarah Lee ( née Brooks ) - is the daughter of renowned auctioneer and staunch supporter of the Run , the late Robert Brooks . The event has been part of her life since early childhood , but she didn ’ t drive on it until 2023 .
“ My niece Maggie inspired me to drive for the first time . At Easter 2023 , when she was 10 , she asked why I was the only one of my siblings who didn ’ t drive . She and my daughter Jemima have loved the Run since they were first passengers aged five , and can ’ t wait to drive themselves . I wanted to show them it was achievable , so said I ’ d drive the family 1902 Oldsmobile that year … I had to learn how in just six months !
“ For my first long-distance drive to include going through London and on such a public event was quite daunting . But I found the whole experience completely thrilling – the atmosphere on the day is intoxicating .”
All the children in the family aim to drive a veteran as soon as they pass their driving tests . The girls are particularly keen , something the women of the Ladies ’ Automobile Club would approve of . And for this year ’ s Run , Sarah has learned to drive a completely different veteran , so she can share the family ’ s 1903 Thornycroft with husband Ed .
Bronwen May ’ s enthusiasm for the Run was fired up after she experienced it as a passenger , with Joy Tacon driving . Suitably enthused , in 2020 she bought her own 1904 Cadillac and drove it on the Run for the first time in 2021 .
“ I was very scared , but we made it to the finish and I was hooked ,” Bronwen explains . “ I love doing the driving . I love listening to the engines . I just really , really enjoy it . I drove the Cadillac on it again in 2022 and then , in 2023 , I decided it would be wonderful to have an all-female crew . So I took two of my daughters and my sister . We did have one male on board , though – Percy the puppy . It was tremendous fun .
“ This year my passengers will be my three daughters . They ’ re already learning to drive the veteran cars , although not on public roads , as they ’ re yet to take their driving tests . But they certainly are
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