CROSSING THE OCEANS TO REACH HYDE PARK
Cars and drivers have journeyed from all over the planet to join this year’ s Run. Giles Chapman meets five overseas participants to find out what’ s involved.
Thierry Chanoine and friends getting ready for this year’ s Run
FRANCE
Thierry Chanoine This is a story of three very keen enthusiasts determined to tackle the London to Brighton, and making their ambition come true in less than a year. Thierry along with his friends Marc-André and Michel regard themselves as nearing the veteran stage, all aged between 68 and 79, so they had to get on with it. It would be a major shift from the single-seaters and vintage sports cars they normally compete in.
“ We chose a 1901 Renault Type D at the Renault Museum auction in November 2025,” he says.“ It spent about 65 years there and had participated in several events to which the Renault factory had been invited.” And it was perfect for their plan.“ Its char-à-banc style, with wooden-spoked wheels as slender as a bicycle’ s and a rear-facing coachman’ s seat, won us over – it’ s perfect for three partners.”
With its cheerful green and yellow livery, the 4hp car certainly looks the part. The engine’ s a 450cc singlecylinder made by De Dion Bouton, which could make it good for 25mph on the flat. And with a three-speed gearbox( albeit unsynchronised) and one of the first steering wheels fitted to any production car it has lots of excellent attributes.
However, with 11 months to go, the focus was on improving reliability, and two friendly experts have worked hard to carry out major work on the ignition and carburation systems.
“ Nothing is guaranteed yet,” Thierry adds.“ The driving experience might hold a few surprises, given that we’ ve already discovered her aversion to braking and her stubborn refusal to shift gears. And there is absolutely no weather protection.”
The friends and their partners have enjoyed the whole experience, renting a house in Chelsea for their British adventure, and intend to wave the flag for Marseille every step of the way to Brighton.“ Let’ s just hope we don’ t fall victim to another‘ Trafalgar’”, he says. He’ s only half joking.
36 The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run