RALLY ROUND OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

RALLY ROUND NEWS - October 2015

With only a few days to go until the team are off to join the competitors in Kolkata for the long-awaited start of the Thunder Dragon Rally in India and Bhutan, we wanted to give you a heads-up and update of all things Rally Round. To join in the adventure of our 55 entrants and staff, make sure you follow the tour via the blogs on our website and on Facebook. If these events whet your appetite to join us on one of our future Driving Adventures, download your complimentary brochure from our website, email us or give us a call. We will happily give you further information or send you a brochure.

Start to India and Bhutan Adventure on 1st November

After many months of hard work by everyone involved in the planning and organising for the Thunder Dragon Rally, from our car shipping partners at CARS UK, our colleagues in India and the office staff lead by Liz Wenman at Rally Round HQ in the UK, the day of departure to India is coming ever closer.   The breathtaking schedule of the 23-day event comprises stunning scenery, cultural festival in remote areas and routes less travelled. So with only days to go to the checkered flag, be sure to follow the cars and drivers on this unmissable adventure with latest events and photos on our Facebook page and blogs on the Rally Round website, which will have a live car tracker, showing the position of all the cars on a map. This will become active as soon as the tracking devices are fitted to the car, so that you can really share their adventure.   Thunder Dragon Rally Entry List Max Stephenson / Julie Stephenson  (AUS)  -  1923 Vauxhall 23/60 Bill Bolsover / Biddy Bolsover  (GBR)  -  1927 Bentley 3/8-litre Chris Lunn / Nicola Lunn  (GBR)  -  1929 Bentley 4.5-litre Le Mans Sir Gerry Acher / Lady Joyce Acher  (GBR)  -  1931 Ford Model A Tourer David Cohen / Adele Cohen  (CAN)  -  1931 Ford Model A Mark Winkelman / Dorinda Winkelman  (USA)  -  1932 Plymouth PB3 Coupe Mark Seymour / Chris Evans / Louise Seymour / Sophie Evans  (GBR)  -  1936 Ford Type 68 Xavier del Marmol / Ines Bodmer  (BEL) - 1937 Chevrolet Master DeLuxe DHC Richard Cunningham / Paddy Walker  (GBR)  -  1937 Buick Coupe 40hp Mark Robinson / Yvonne Fuller  (GBR)  -  1937 Rolls-Royce 25/30 Frank Bird / Ross Oakman / Belinda Oakman  (AUS)  -  1939 Willys Sedan Jorge Ruiz / Agustin Panes  (SUI)  -  1955 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn Jose Romao de Sousa / Maria Romao de Sousa (POR) - 1956 MG Magnette ZA Adrian Shooter / George Harding  (GBR)  -  1958 Morris Oxford Dougie Lawson / Kate Lawson  (GBR)  -  1959  Jaguar XK150 DHC   Peter McLaughlin / Jane Kitchel  (USA)  -  1965 Buick Skylark Jan van Gemert / Marion Huijbregts  (NED)  -  1965 Ford Mustang Alastair Caldwell / Snjezana Poljanec  (GBR)  -  1968 Porsche 912 Roger Allen / Maggie Gray  (AUS)  -  1971 BMW 2800 CS Alan Pontin / Carol Pontin  (GBR)  -  1973 Jaguar E-Type V12 DHC Gerd Bühler / Birgit Deymann-Bühler (GER) - 1979 Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC

2016 Haka Classic Rally

Whilst we were busy with rally preparations for India, our New Zealand rally expert Rhys Nolan has been working tirelessly on fine-tuning the route, hotels, events and attractions for theHaka Classic Rally.     The lucky contestants of this epic Driving Adventure, which will take place in New Zealand from 1st to 25th November 2016, will be enjoying the most spectacular roads on the North and South island. The daily driving distances have been designed wherever possible to give the contestants the opportunity to sample local attractions, both culinary and cultural, and enjoy time with rally friends old and new. Rhys is putting together his experiences of the past weeks on the Haka route in a recce report, which we will send out to everyone who has expressed an interest in this rally.  If you would like to join us on our New Zealand adventure, or would like more information, simply download the brochure from the 2016 Haka Classic page of the Rally Round website. Alternatively you may send an email to the Rally Round office requesting your complimentary brochure or telephone us on +44 1252 794 100.   Haka Classic Rally - Current Entries   David Royds  /  Natasha Newman  -  1921 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost David Berks  /  Barbara Berks  -  1929 Chrysler 75 Jorg Lemberg  /  Petra Lemberg  -  1938 Lagonda LG45 Rapide Georg Lemberg  /  Isabel Peil  -  1960 Porsche Roadster Petr Uhlir  /  Petr Kejdus  -  1967 Jaguar Mk2 3.8 Andeas Pohl  /  Jaqueline Pohl  -  Car TBC Nathalie Pohl  /  Nicola Pohl  -  Car TBC Robert Peil  /  Gabi Peil  -  Car TBC Steven Harris  /  Hayden Burvill  -  Car TBC Justin Gan  /  TBC  -  Car TBC Adrian Shooter  /  Barbara Shooter  -  Car TBC Gerd Bühler  /  Birgit Deymann-Bühler  -  Car TBC Edmund Peel  /  TBC  -  Car TBC

2016 Paris-Vienna Rally

Our Paris-Vienna Clerk of the Course, Fred Bent, has been back to Austria and France for the second part of his recce with driver Paul Wignal. Apart from the stunning scenery along the route between the French and Austrian capitals, planned highlights include champagne tasting in the French Champagne region, a visit to the zeppelin museum and the use of local test tracks Saalfelden and FTZ Teesdorf to use for regularities and driving tests. And if the event needed any extra spice, Fred has also included the spectacular "Stoderzinken" pass near Grobming, as previously used in classic races such as the Winter Trial, the Alpine Marathon and the Ennstal Classic. So watch this space to find out more. Last, but not least, we are pleased to confirm a change of our planned finish hotel to the stunning Rennaissance Hotel Schloss Weikersdorf in the trendy spa town of Baden near Vienna in order to guarantee the best available local gastronomy for our participants. Entries are still open for our Paris-Vienna Competition, so be sure to submit your entry for your chance to win an entry worth £ 5,500. We now have 35 confirmed entries, with continued worldwide interest. To see the current entry list, visit the Paris-Vienna page of our website, where you will also find a brochure and online entry form. If you have any questions, email us or call us on+44 1252 794 100.     Paris-Vienna Rally - Current Entries    David Royds  /  Natasha Newman  -  1917 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost John Harrison  /  Catherine Harrison  -  1917 La France Roadster Charles Bishop  /  Nellie Bishop  -  1924 Vauxhall 30-98 Mark Seymour  /  Chris Seaton  -  1925 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Jeff Robinson  /  Glenda Robinson  -  1926 Dodge Brothers Tourer Albert de Mey  /  Nicolas Leonard  -  1927 Bentley Tourer John Raker  /  Melinda Raker  -  1928 Ford Model A Steven Collins  /  TBC  -  1928 Bentley 4.5-litre Ken Fraser  /  Jane Fraser  -  1929 Bentley 4.5-litre William Brandt  /  Jo Brandt  -  1929 Chrysler 75 Le Mans Harry Jurgens  /  TBC  -  1930 Packard 740 Bob Meijer  /  TBC  -  1931 Bugatti T46 Nicholas Phillips  /  Barbara Phillips  -  1932 Alvis Speed 20 Arthur Manners  /  TBC  -  1933 Lagonda M45 T7 Chris Evans  /  Nick Evans  -  1934 Lagonda M45 Simon Mackenzie-Smith  /  Charles Gooch  -  1934 Lagonda M45 Simon Shaw  /  Maria Shaw  -  1934 Bentley 4.5-litre Irvine Laidlaw  /  Christine Laidlaw  -  1935 BMW 319 John Burton  /  TBC  -  1935 SS 1 Tourer Melvin Andrews /  TBC  -  1935 Bentley 3 1/2 litre James Mitchell  /  Anya Jackel  -  1936 MG TA Dougie Lawson  /  Kate Lawson -  1936 Lagonda  LG45 DHC Michael O'Shea  /  Clive Venning  -  1938 SS Jaguar MkIV Andrew Bailey  /  Philippa Spiller  -  Bentley (year and model TBC) Damian Perl  / Maria Perl  -  1955 Mercedes-Benz SL300 Coupe Pierre Hallet  /  TBC  -  1958 Jaguar Special (model TBC) James Fenner  /  Katja Fenner  -  1960 Porsche 356 BTS Jan Woien  /  Jan Erik Hansen  -  1962 Maserati 3500 GT Stephen Duckworth  /  Vanessa Duckworth  -  1965 Jaguar Mk2 3.4 Michael Eatough  /  Peter Godwin  -  1966 Mercedes-Benz 230S Fintail Petr Uhlir  /  Petr Kejdus  -  1967 Jaguar Mk2 3.8 Rally Andrew Bailey /  Philippa Spiller  -   Bentley (year and model TBC) Gerd Bühler  /  Birgit Deymann-Bühler  -  TBC Tim Wilkinson  /  Julie Wilkinson  -  TBC Alastair Caldwell  /  TBC  -  TBC

Driving Adventures for seasoned rallyists and novices

For those of you who have been tempted to join us on our Driving Adventures, but are not quite sure about the logistics and other aspects of our rallies, we would like to give you some more information about how our events are organised and run. Rally Round caters for seasoned and novice rallyists alike. The entry fee to our events includes a detailed (tulip-style) road book, your food and lodgings during the rally (including daily coffee halts and lunch stops), medical support by our Rally Doctor and full mechanical support by our team of experienced Rally Mechanics to cover most eventualities. Our Chief Mechanic Charlie McGowan is of course also always on hand to advise you on the best choice of car for each rally and answer any car-related question you might have both in the preparation phase and during the actual rally. Each rally starts with a detailed compulsory Rally Briefing, during which the whole Rally Round team including the route designer, Clerk of the Course, Rally Director and our mechanical and support teams will be present to answer any questions you might have. The teams are of course on hand during each rally to support crews on their quest to safely navigate the exciting course to win the coveted trophy and class prizes. For less competitive rallyists, we offer touring classes on some of our rallies. We are of course always happy to answer any individual questions you might have regarding participation in our rallies. You can call us on +44 1252 794 100 or send us an email with your question.

And finally....!

Well that's about it from us for now. Please do follow our epic adventure in India and Bhutan through the links to various blogs on the Rally Round website and on our Facebook page starting on Sunday 1st November 2015. The office will be staffed from 9 am to 12 noon during November and we will answer any of your queries during these times, before we are back to a full head-count when the team returns from the Thunder Dragon Adventure. Have a safe and happy Autumn!

NEW FOR 2015: PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP FOR CARS

The inaugural Pride of Ownership display will see individuals showcasing their classic cars with 25 cars selected from over 70 applicants, ranging from a Tempo Matador van to a 1964 Saab 96 shortnose.

Ian Mills will be displaying a Ford Cortina 1600E; the latest in a long line owned since he was 15. Despite its near-concours condition, it’s driven to all events regardless of the weather conditions.

For Gideon Meyers, the show will mark the first major showing for his Ford Capri 2.8 Injection following a 5,000hour restoration over the course of five years.

Malcolm Dudley’s Meadows Frisky Sport would be rare even if it was a standard production car, but it’s one of just two factory prototypes with a number of subtle differences from the production model.

Other rarities on show include Wayne Philips’ VW Santana GX5; a notchback five cylinder derivative of the Passat, which while a strong seller new has faded into obscurity. Another scarce classic on show will be Clive Haynsford’s Mazda RX4; a rotary engine coupe which is one of just three on the road in Europe.

Peter Gunn will be displaying his Freestone and Webb-bodied Bentley R Type ‘Empress’. Used continuously for 63 years without a full restoration, it has a real patina and looks the part.  Its toolkit and handbook pack are complete.

Luke Greenwood’s Mustang is a rarity; a Rainbow of Colours special edition. Just 133 were made as part of a Western US promotion for 1968, and his is believed to be one of just two survivors.

Our thanks go to all of the owners who have shared their cars with us.

SOURCE: LANCASTER CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW

MOTORING PIONEERS GET READY FOR THEIR TRIP TO THE COAST

MOTORING PIONEERS GET READY FOR THEIR TRIP TO THE COAST More than 400 veteran cars will set off from dawn on Sunday for the annual Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run As dawn breaks on Sunday (1 November) more than 400 intrepid drivers and their hardy passengers will deal with whatever the weather has in store to drive 60 miles from London to Brighton. They will be at the wheel – or the tiller – of hundreds of horseless carriages, many of which were built while Queen Victoria was still on the throne. The first car will leave Hyde Park at 06.54 on Sunday and for the next couple of hours a huge variety of three and four wheel veterans will stream down Constitution Hill, alongside Buckingham Palace and on to The Mall before heading through Parliament Square and past Big Ben on their way to the coast. The Harrods Stop at Crawley, the official half way point, will provide a welcome refreshment break in a warm, dry environment with ample parking at the Honda dealership for the veteran cars. Honda will be emptying its forecourt and service bays of modern cars to allow drivers to work on their veterans with assistance from RAC Motoring Services and specialist lubricants from Total. There are ample viewing opportunities along the way, notably in Crawley High Street where a knowledgeable commentary team will give some background on the veterans on their passage through. In addition a time control check has been established which will provide the perfect opportunity for photos as the cars stop to have their cards “stamped”. The first cars are expected to pass through Crawley from 08.15 with the last leaving at about 13.45. Brighton expects its first arrival just before 10am with the last finishers ‘putt-putting’ in at 4pm. As well as cars powered by petrol and some by steam, there will also be a few battery-powered electric vehicles making their way to Brighton. This year’s Run has an American theme, with a celebration of US car marques – it is anticipated that one in four cars on the Run was built in the Land of the Free. American marques taking part will be familiar names like Cadillac, Ford and Oldsmobile alongside less well-known names such as Pope, Waverley and Northern. And it’s a similar story as far as European marques are concerned. Renault and Vauxhall, both Manufacturer Patrons of the Run, are entering cars from their own heritage fleets: the French firm is entering a 1900 Renault Type C while Vauxhall is entering two vehicles, a 1903 5HP, the second oldest Vauxhall in the world, and a 1904 6HP. Other familiar names include Peugeot and Benz but the rest of the field include long lost marques such as Bolide, Gladiator and De Dion Bouton. The oldest car on the Run is the 1888 Truchetet and one of the rarest is the 1901 Isotta Fraschini, the actual first car made by the Italian firm and which has never been seen in the UK before. There are some familiar names in the driving seats, too. Look out for former Grand Prix ace Jochen Mass, Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason and F1 legend Ross Brawn. BBC DJs Chris Evans and Ken Bruce, along with Alex Jones from The One Show and Zoe Ball, will be following the Run in two vintage buses, each filled with successful bidders who together raised almost £350,000 for BBC’s Children in Need. “The Bonhams Veteran Car Run is a glorious celebration of the motor car and a tribute to those pioneering ‘automobilists’ without whom motoring today might be very different,” said Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club’s Steering Group for the Veteran Car Run, Ben Cussons. “I’d also like to say a special ‘thank you’ to all those taking part in the Run: we think nothing of driving the 60 miles to Brighton in a modern car, but to undertake the trip in a sometimes temperamental vehicle that’s at least 110 years old with rudimentary brakes, steering and suspension and no weather protection takes a special kind of person.” More information on the Run can be found at www.veterancarrun.com. The Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is the pinnacle event in a week of motoring in the capital during ‘London Motor Week’ – a series of events hosted by the world famous Royal Automobile Club which also includes a Motoring Forum, Book of the Year Awards and the Regent Street Motor Show.

FROM CELEBRITY SIGNINGS TO BESPOKE BOOKS CLASSIC & SPORTS CAR – THE LONDON SHOW PRESENTS A FEAST OF AUTOMOTIVE LITERATURE

FROM CELEBRITY SIGNINGS TO BESPOKE BOOKS
 CLASSIC & SPORTS CAR – THE LONDON SHOW PRESENTS A FEAST OF AUTOMOTIVE LITERATURE

·         Inaugural Classic & Sports Car – The London Show will feature the best of the best from the literary motoring world

·         Exhibitors will include Porter Press International, Motorsportclassics.com, E&C Books, Historic Racing Technology and Opus Publications

·         Ross Brawn OBE, owner of the ex-Stirling Moss Ferrari 250 GT SWB ‘2119 GT’, will be signing copies of Doug Nye’s book covering its competition history

·         Former Jaguar Cars Chief Executive Sir John Egan will be signing copies of his own book ‘Saving Jaguar’

·         Classic & Sports Car – The London Show will feature more than 300 of the world’s most prestigious classic cars

·         Key attractions will include the naming of the public-voted Best British Car Ever, a celebration of Aston Martin, display of
Sir Stirling Moss single-seaters and an Interview Stage

·         Inaugural show will take place from 30^th October to 1^st November 2015 at Alexandra Palace, further information and tickets available at www.classicandsportscarshow.com

London, 27th October 2015     

Motoring fans keen to expand their libraries, and maybe get an autographed copy too, should head to the inaugural Classic & Sports Car – The London Show at Alexandra Palace this autumn.

That’s because the show will feature a host of world-class literary exhibitors, offering visitors everything from historical bestsellers to one-off coffee table books and, of course, a wide selection of motoring magazines.

Some of the event’s Interview Stage guests will also be on hand to put pen to paper with some exclusive book signing sessions.

Ross Brawn OBE, owner of the ex-Stirling Moss Ferrari 250 GT SWB ‘2119 GT’, will be signing copies of Doug Nye’s book which covers its complete competition history. Telling the full story of this incredible Ferrari - which Moss drove to victory in the Goodwood Tourist Trophy of 1960 - it features 250 period photographs, many previously unpublished. Brawn will be signing copies on Friday October 30^th at 1230pm, fresh from his appearance on the Interview Stage.

Following an appearance on the Interview Stage at 1230pm on Saturday 31^st October, former Chief Executive of Jaguar Cars, Sir John Egan, will be signing copies of his own book ‘Saving Jaguar’ which tells the remarkable story of his arrival at a strike-ridden Jaguar in 1980 and how he overcame the odds, rebuilding the company piece-by-piece. 

Simon Taylor, another Interview Stage guest, will also be signing copies of his book Stirling Moss: My Racing Life on Sunday 1^st November at 2pm.

Porter Press International (PPI) will have a stand with products covering a wide range of iconic cars, marques and drivers, PPI has worked alongside numerous industry legends including Sir Stirling Moss, Murray Walker and Martin Brundle. The company, which is celebrating its 10^th anniversary this year, will be showcasing a broad selection of its books and ‘bookazines’ at Alexandra Palace. 

That’s because the show will feature a host of world-class literary exhibitors, offering visitors everything from historical bestsellers to one-off coffee table books and, of course, a wide selection of motoring magazines.

Some of the event’s Interview Stage guests will also be on hand to put pen to paper with some exclusive book signing sessions.

Ross Brawn OBE, owner of the ex-Stirling Moss Ferrari 250 GT SWB ‘2119 GT’, will be signing copies of Doug Nye’s book which covers its complete competition history. Telling the full story of this incredible Ferrari - which Moss drove to victory in the Goodwood Tourist Trophy of 1960 - it features 250 period photographs, many previously unpublished. Brawn will be signing copies on Friday October 30^th at 1230pm, fresh from his appearance on the Interview Stage.

Following an appearance on the Interview Stage at 1230pm on Saturday 31^st October, former Chief Executive of Jaguar Cars, Sir John Egan, will be signing copies of his own book ‘Saving Jaguar’ which tells the remarkable story of his arrival at a strike-ridden Jaguar in 1980 and how he overcame the odds, rebuilding the company piece-by-piece. 

Simon Taylor, another Interview Stage guest, will also be signing copies of his book Stirling Moss: My Racing Life on Sunday 1^st November at 2pm.

Porter Press International (PPI) will have a stand with products covering a wide range of iconic cars, marques and drivers, PPI has worked alongside numerous industry legends including Sir Stirling Moss, Murray Walker and Martin Brundle. The company, which is celebrating its 10^th anniversary this year, will be showcasing a broad selection of its books and ‘bookazines’ at Alexandra Palace.

Also exhibiting at the show will be Motorsportclassics.com, which has a stunning range of images from photographer Steve Theodorou of racing cars & drivers from the late 70s to the mid 1980s. With products including limited edition signed prints, bespoke limited edition books and coffee table-style books for car owners of their pride and joy, the stand will be another must-visit.

Focusing on restoration is E&C Books, a publisher which produces individually handmade and bound products, resulting in a great showcase of the hard work and attention to detail that goes into any such project.

Launched in 2014, Historic Racing Technology brings a unique perspective to the business of restoring, preparing and maintaining historic competition cars in the 21st century. Not only will the latest issue of this magazine be available at the Alexandra Palace event, but members of the team will also be on hand to talk to visitors.

Opus Publications is also attending Classic & Sports Car – The London Show, with a stand filled with its high-quality, definitive publications. Although Opus works across a variety of sectors including football and fashion, it has produced numerous stunning collectors items within both the automotive and motorsport industries.

James Elliott, Classic & Sports Car magazine group editor, said: “In this digital age, it’s reassuring to know that the printed press is still highly revered. It will be wonderful to see so many world-class publishers at our inaugural show with the icing on the cake being book signing sessions with Ross Brawn OBE, Sir John Egan and Simon Taylor.”

Classic & Sports Car – The London Show will feature more than 300 of the world’s most prestigious classic cars from world-famous collectors and world-renowned classic car retailers. Organised by Classic & Sports Car, the world’s best-selling classic car magazine, The London Show will announce the results of its worldwide poll to find the Best British Car Ever, with all ten finalists celebrated in a special feature sponsored by Autoglym.

The London Show will also include a celebration of Aston Martin, an exhibition of Sir Stirling Moss’ most iconic single-seater competition cars and a star-studded Interview Stage, in partnership with Smooth Radio, with many more features to be revealed over the coming week.

Tickets for Classic & Sports Car – The London Show are now on sale, visit www.classicandsportscarshow.com or call 0844 581 1275 to book yours.

LONDON CLASSIC CAR SHOW – THE CAPITAL'S BIGGEST AND BEST – GROWS YET AGAIN

Press Release For Immediate Distribution:  27/10/15

LONDON CLASSIC CAR SHOW – THE CAPITAL'S BIGGEST AND BEST – GROWS YET AGAIN   New hall added to 2016 London Classic Car Show to showcase displays from 25 of the country's top car clubs   When the inaugural London Classic Car Show opened its doors in January, it covered 18,000 square metres of prime exhibition space at ExCeL London. Crammed with innovative features, mouth-watering classic cars and a star-studded list of celebrity visitors, that inaugural show was such a success that even before the show closed it was announced that the 2016 edition (18-21 February, 2016) would be almost half as big again. And now it’s grown again to a whopping 34,000 square metres – that’s nearly double the size and content of the first show! The latest addition to the Show is an entire new hall that will be dedicated to the best single marque classic car clubs. Show organiser, Brand Events will be working with around 25 leading car clubs devoted to prestige and performance cars to create a stunning display of privately owned classics from the 1920s to the 21st century. Reminiscent of a British Motor Show from the 1960s, the hall will also feature stands from relevant classic car dealers. Visitors will be treated to period entertainment to continue the hall’s retro vibe. “We are expanding the London Classic Car Show because that’s what everybody wants,” said Event Director Bas Bungish. “Feedback from visitors and exhibitors at the first show told us that they loved the innovation, the quality of the displays and the atmosphere so much that they wanted even more! “Despite being in its infancy, the London Classic Car Show has already established itself as a premium show and this will be reflected in the quality of the car clubs we will be inviting.” Among the other aspects of the Show that will be bigger in 2016 is the event’s centrepiece, ‘The Grand Avenue’, a highway running through the middle of show and along which many iconic classics were driven. Everything from genuine Formula 1 Grand Prix racers to rare classic cars via London to Brighton veterans took to The Grand Avenue, allowing visitors to see and hear their favourites in action. For 2016, The Grand Avenue will be extended to give the cars even more space to stretch their legs. The second London Classic Car Show will also have a number of other new features, including ‘Classic Corner’, an open forum running virtually continuously throughout the show where guest speakers will talk about classic cars as investments, about the pleasure a classic car can bring and offer advice about buying at auction. More dealers and more trade stands are also promised. A standard adult entry ticket will cost £23 (children £17) with family tickets at £65. Premium access to the glittering premier evening will cost £65 each for which tickets will be strictly limited. “We are delighted to hear that the first London Classic Car Show was so successful that the second edition is going to be even bigger. Thankfully we have the space at ExCeL to provide the perfect stage for this innovative and genuinely exciting show,” said Jeremy Rees, Executive Director, ExCeL. More information and ticket bookings can be accessed via the show website –www.thelondonclassiccarshow.co.uk

BONHAMS EXTENDS ITS SUPPORT FOR THE FAMOUS VETERAN CAR RUN

BONHAMS EXTENDS ITS SUPPORT FOR THE FAMOUS VETERAN CAR RUN Leading auction house pledges to support the famous London to Brighton for at least four more years   The organisers of the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run are pleased to announce that Auction house Bonhams – a long time supporter of the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, sponsor for 11 years and the event’s title sponsor since 2014 – has  further extended its backing of the world’s longest running motoring event. The renewed partnership will see Bonhams continue as title sponsor and auction house partner until 2019. The agreement encompasses a number of significant elements during the lead up to the Run. The company will continue to sponsor the Veteran Car Zone at the free-to-view Regent Street Motor Show, held in London’s famous shopping street on the day before the Run. And as well as sponsoring the Run, the company will carry on providing welcome participant’s hospitality at the finish line in Brighton. In addition, Bonhams will continue to hold its annual Veteran Car auction on the Friday before the Run. The auction of motorcars eligible for the London to Brighton Run and early automobilia is held at the company’s headquarters in New Bond Street, a short walk away from Hyde Park where the Run traditionally begins at daybreak on the first Sunday in November (this year, that’s 1st November at 06.45). More than 400 cars will be taking part. And you could still join in! Of the dozen cars in the Bonhams auction this year, no fewer than six already have provisional entries in to the 2015 Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. Should a successful bidder decide to take part in his or her new purchase, Bonhams has even arranged for testing facilities complete with on-site technicians to be made available on the Saturday morning. Among the cars ready to go under the hammer this year is a 1904 MMC Rear-Entrance Tonneau with a guide price of £40,000-£60,000, a 1904 Darracq expected to make between £35,000-£60,000 while, for those with deeper pockets, a 1903 Clement could sell for as much as £500,000. Specialising in fine art, furniture, fine wines, clocks and watches, collectables and, of course, classic cars, Bonhams was founded in 1793, almost a century before the ‘horseless carriage’ was invented. Bonhams Chairman, Robert Brooks, is a lifelong fan of the Veteran Car Run and is a regular participant. This year he will be driving a 1895 Peugeot Vis-à-vis owned by the Dutch Louwman Museum. Most of the Bonhams motoring team will also be driving on the event, many in their own cars. “We are not just auctioneers, but very much active enthusiasts who enjoy – like our clients and customers – the hobby of old motoring,” said Brooks. “We all await the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run with eager anticipation. It’s all about fun excitement, adventure and camaraderie. It remains an incredible, unique event and one that I’m both delighted to support and in which to take part.” More information on the Run can be found at www.veterancarrun.com. The Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is the pinnacle event in a week of motoring in the capital during ‘London Motor Week’ – a series of events hosted by the world famous Royal Automobile Club which also includes a Literary Festival, Motoring Forum and the Regent Street Motor Show.

DRESS TO IMPRESS ON THE ANNUAL BONHAMS LONDON TO BRIGHTON VETERAN CAR RUN!

Media release for immediate distribution: 26/10/15 DRESS TO IMPRESS ON THE ANNUAL BONHAMS LONDON TO BRIGHTON VETERAN CAR RUN! Spectators and participants to reward those in the best period dress on Sunday's evocative Veteran Car Run by sharing on Twitter and Instagram   It’s not just the 400-plus historic cars from the dawn of motoring that hark back to Victorian and Edwardian times on the Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, as many of the plucky participants also get into the nostalgic spirit of the annual event by dressing up in appropriate period costume. There’s even a special Best Period Dress Award that this year, for the very first time, is open to a public vote. Both those taking part in this Sunday’s (1 November) traditional Run from Hyde Park to the Sussex coast and the thousands lining the 60-mile route whether in London, Crawley, Brighton, or out in the countryside are invited to post their favourite photographs on Twitter (https://twitter.com/VeteranCarRun) and Instagram (https://instagram.com/veterancarrun) using both the following two hashtags: #VCRdress2impress with #VCR<car number>. The best of these will then be judged, with the winning VCR entrant receiving a trophy plus a bottle of Hattingley Valley English sparkling wine. The full route information for those wanting to join the public online vote can be found on the official website at www.veterancarrun.com.

OILING THE WHEELS OF THE VETERAN CAR MOVEMENT

OILING THE WHEELS OF THE VETERAN CAR MOVEMENT Total introduces modern lubrication technology to London to Brighton veterans more than 110 years old   What links the high speed, high-octane world of Formula 1 with the rather more stately progress of the century-old horseless carriages taking part in the annual Bonhams London to Brighton Run? The answer is total… or rather, Total, one of the world’s largest integrated oil and gas majors. Total has been a partner of Renault Sport F1 for more than 40 years, and supplier of lubricants for the automotive industry in partnership with the world’s leading car manufacturers for longer still, and the company is now also applying its innovative high tech thinking to cars that top 20 mph rather than up to 200 mph. While veteran cars may not be as quick as a Formula 1 car, veterans still have unique – and very different – demands on oils and lubes. To ensure older engines perform as well (or even better) as they did when new, Total’s range of mineral lubricants, fluids and greases perform particularly well in classic, vintage and veteran cars. To help strengthen its link with the veteran car community, Total will play a significant role in this year’s Run from capital to coast. Appreciating that older cars – the youngest on the Run is 110 years old – are not built to quite the same fine tolerances as modern cars, Total technicians will be on hand at the Run’s halfway Harrods Stop at Crawley ready to provide any practical assistance to the veterans as well as to distribute suitable lubricants as required. The company will also have a major presence at the end of the Run on Brighton’s Madeira Drive, with lubricants on offer and experts on hand to answer questions from participants. Their facility on Madeira Drive will also double-up as a media centre. Two Total representatives, meanwhile, will experience the atmosphere and the highs of the Run itself by taking part as passengers on two of the veteran cars. Marc Smith, General Manager Lubricants of Total UK said: “Total is a world-leading lubricant supplier with decades of experience designing specialist oils for a wide variety of engines. “Total’s rich history dates back to the 1920’s and since then our engineers have been catering to the needs and specifications of generations of engines, right up to our multiple F1 World Championship wins in collaboration with Williams, Renault and Red Bull.” As tradition dictates, the first of the 400-plus veterans on the Run will leave Hyde Park at sunrise (06.54) on the first Sunday of November, which this year falls on the 1st. More information on the Run can be found at www.veterancarrun.com. The Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is the pinnacle event in a week of motoring in the capital during ‘London Motor Week’ – a series of events hosted by the world famous Royal Automobile Club which also includes a Motoring Forum, Motoring Book of the Year Awards and the Regent Street Motor Show. [Ends]