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- Warm weather graced the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, making for an incredible journey for the British Motor Museum participants.
- The first of the Museum cars over the line was the 1904 Thornycroft 20hp tourer driven by Mike Brewer (Wheeler Dealers) who was blown away by the crowds lining the streets along the route.
- Already planning ahead for 2025, the Museum announces an exciting new collaboration with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders to offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience on next year’s run to 4 outstanding apprentices.
This year’s famous RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, took place on Sunday 3 November and four of the six pre-1905 British Motor Museum cars made it over the finish line. The Veteran Run has been running longer than any other motoring event in the world. It marks the historic day in 1896 when a group of pioneer motorists set out from London towards the seaside, in celebration of the ‘emancipation of the motor car’.
Despite the early start it was all smiles as the cars set off over the starting line at Hyde Park on the unseasonably warm and dry November morning. Amongst the participants in the British Motor Museum crew were actor, Simon Gregson who has played Steve McDonald on Coronation Street for over 30 years, Paul Cowland, known for the series Salvage Hunters: Classic Cars, and Mike Brewer, most famous for his many series of Wheeler Dealers.
Arriving in Brighton at the end of the 60-mile route, the first of the Museum cars to cross the finish line was the 1904 Thornycroft 20hp tourer, driven by Mike Brewer. The remaining Museum cars that made it home were a 1902 Albion A1 dog cart, a 1904 Rover 8hp (the oldest known Rover), and a 1904 Wolseley 6hp Phaeton which were driven by Museum members and guests. Sadly the 1899 Wolseley 3.5hp voiturette, affectionately known as OWL & the 1901 Wolseley 10hp tonneau were unable to make it to the finish line. OWL has participated in the famous London to Brighton Run a staggering 39 times now, so with a bit of TLC it is sure to be back to try again next year!
Looking ahead to next year, the Museum is delighted to announce that it will be collaborating with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) to offer 4 outstanding apprentices the chance to participate in the 2025 London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. Places on the Run are extremely hard to come by and the Museum is keen to use its unique position to share the history of the industry and inspire the next generation of automotive leaders, designers and experts. Working closely with member companies, SMMT acts as the voice of the motor industry, promoting its position to government, stakeholders and the media. This partnership between the two organisations will create a unique opportunity for apprentices to participate in a once-in-a lifetime experience. More details will be released at the SMMT Annual Dinner on 26 November.
Jeff Coope, Managing Director of the British Motor Museum, said, “What a fabulous weekend! These wonderful cars are more than a century old and are some of the rarest and finest models from our collection. It was a real treat to watch the cars and their drivers in action! We’re delighted to share this amazing experience with such an enthusiastic and appreciative group of people.”
To find out more about the British Motor Museum please visit the website at www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk. For more information on the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run please visit www.veterancarrun.com
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Royal Automobile Club’s Simms Medal awarded to Maeving for its innovative electric motorbikes designed and built in Britain
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Pall Mall, London, Tuesday 29 October 2024: today an all-new electric motorcycle conceived and created in Britain received a prestigious award for ‘an outstanding contribution to motoring innovation’ by the Royal Automobile Club, in a special ceremony.
The Simms Medal, named after the Club’s founder, was presented to Seb Inglis-Jones, who co-founded Maeving in 2018 with Will Stirrup to open a new era for the British motorcycle industry.
In the year the two friends founded their business, just 297 electric motorbikes were sold in the UK, while over 20m of them found buyers in China. However, the partners’ plan to import and sell Chinese-made models for the British market was soon parked when they decided the quality wasn’t good enough, and that removable batteries were key for ease of use in town and beyond.
In 2023 Maeving launched its first models, the RM1 and RM1S and the initial batch sold out within hours. It immediately became the best-seller in its sector. Following the tradition of legendary motorcycle names including Triumph, Norton and BSA, Maeving opened its factory in the West Midlands, in Coventry, and in doing so became Britain’s first electric motorcycle manufacturer.
Inglis-Jones and Stirrup met and bonded at Durham University and decided that one day they would open a business together. But the idea for an electric motorbike only came when Inglis-Jones bought one for his daily commute.
“We questioned why electric motorbikes lagged in sales and identified the single most important factor: removable batteries,” said Inglis-Jones. “So our innovation addresses the primary barrier to electric adoption – insufficient charging infrastructure – by allowing riders to power up from any standard socket.
“This approach contrasted with what major Western manufacturers were doing: designing heavy, high-powered models that served as alternatives to popular internal combustion-engined motorcycles, but often struggled with reliance on inadequate charging infrastructure.”
A deep and shared respect for the planet was another reason why the two gave up their jobs in the corporate world to found Maeving, and since then they have recruited what Inglis-Jones calls “one of the most talent-dense engineering teams in the world, with over 200 years of combined industry experience”, to help them. The team includes Graeme Gilbert, former Head of Product at Triumph.
“This idea stemmed from the notable discrepancy in electric two-wheeler sales between the East and West,” Will Stirrup added. “The level of experience and expertise in the Midlands is unparalleled. Harnessing this has made Maeving’s motorcycles the embodiment of craftsmanship and innovation.
“The whole Maeving team is thrilled that the Royal Automobile Club recognises our vision with the Simms Medal.”
Maeving joins a rollcall of British talent to have received the Simms Medal, which is presented only in years when the judges feel there is a worthy winner. This has included McMurtry Automotive, Williams Advanced Engineering, Riversimple and the Ariel Motor Company, as well as individuals such as Richard Parry-Jones CBE and Dr Rob Lewis OBE. A full list of previous winners is given below.
Ben Cussons, Chairman of the judges on the Royal Automobile Club Technical Committee (which awards the Simms Medal alongside the Dewar Trophy) said:
“Maeving’s achievement in designing and building an attractive and innovative electric motorcycle in the UK is a project that Frederick Simms would have been proud of. The business exudes the passion of its founders but has the financial backing and commercial nous that will help it achieve its ambitious aims.”
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MARC CRASHES OUT OF PODIUM CONTENTION, BUT REMAINS THIRD IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
Alex Marquez has finished fourth in today’s race at the Sepang International Circuit, which proves to be one of his favourite tracks on the calendar. This is one of his best results of the season after the podium scored in Sachsenring. It was an excellent performance for the #73, who had a great start on both occasions (the original encounter was red flagged on the opening lap) and showed a great pace, which allowed him to defend his position from a resurging Acosta. The 13 points bagged today are crucial for the championship standings as Alex is now 10th after overtaking Aleix Espargaró.
It would be a top five finish for Alex had it not been for the crash by his brother Marc, who tucked the front at the last turn at halfway distance. The #93 did not give up and managed to re-join the race and from last place, he made his was back to 12th position, to secure four crucial points that keep him ahead of Enea Bastianini for third place overall.
4th - ALEX MARQUEZ #73 (10th in the championship standings 155 points)
“We scored some important points this weekend while finding fresh confidence and the feeling we lacked in recent races. It wasn’t an easy race because we had to stay focused after the red flag, and I wasn’t feeling too well due to a cold, which prevented me from getting a good night sleep. I must thank the team because they were really supportive in my toughest moments, and we need to enjoy this time now that we’re back at our real level.”
12th - MARC MARQUEZ #93 (3rd in the championship standings 369 points)
“We had a very positive weekend, both yesterday and today, on a track that has always been a challenging one for me. There are those days in which you don’t really know why you crashed: I was feeling comfortable today and I knew I could have battled for third-fourth place… But it is what it is, there’s one event left, and we’ll try to finish the season the best possible way.”
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The second day of action smiles to Team Gresini MotoGP who shine in qualifying with Alex Marquez’s front-row worthy qualifying and do even better in the race with Marc second behind an uncatchable Martin and Alex fourth at the chequered flag.
Marc Marquez takes another step towards third place in the final championship standings courtesy of what was his 21st rostrum finishing across all races (sprint and full distance encounters), while Alex is only one point away from the world championship top ten.
2nd - MARC MARQUEZ #93 (3rd in the chamionship standings with 365 points)
“I did a great start and honestly, I didn’t expect to be this quick race-pace wise. On paper we were aiming realistically at fourth place but with the last fine tuning I found myself very comfortable and third was within reach. Pecco’s crash opened the door to second place, a result I dedicate to the whole Valencian community.”
4th - ALEX MARQUEZ #73 (11th in the championship standings with 142 points)
“I had a good start, but unfortunately the others in front of me did even better. We did a good race, and our pace was worthy of a fifth place, maybe even fourth as I didn’t expect Marc to be so quick today, but we must be happy with this race. The goal tomorrow will be more or less the same. If it rains, anything can happen, but at the moment we’re ready to be in the top five.”
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The British Motor Museum is again participating in the famous RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, which is taking place on Sunday 3 November. Actor, Simon Gregson who has played Steve McDonald on Coronation Street for over 30 years, will be driving a 1901 Wolseley 10hp tonneau. The Run starts in Hyde Park in London and ends by the seafront on Madeira Drive in Brighton.
Simon’s co-driver is Paul Cowland, known for the series Salvage Hunters: Classic Cars, and a recognisable face in the world of classic cars. Also driving a car from the British Motor Museum, a 1904 Thornycroft 20hp tourer, is Mike Brewer, most famous for his many series of Wheeler Dealers.
The Museum has entered six veteran cars in total, including the Wolseley and Thornycroft. Alongside them are a 1902 Albion A1 dog cart, a 1904 Rover 8hp (the oldest known Rover), and a 1904 Wolseley 6hp Phaeton. The final car from the Museum is the 1899 Wolseley 3.5hp voiturette, with its freshly stabilised wings following a fundraising campaign by the Museum. Affectionately known as 'OWL', the Wolseley voiturette has participated in the London to Brighton Run a staggering 38 times!
The RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Run is a premier event in the annual motoring calendar and has been running longer than any other in the world. It marks the historic day in 1896 when a group of pioneer motorists set out from London towards the seaside, in celebration of the ‘emancipation of the motor car’.
Stephen Laing, Head of Collections & Engagement at the British Motor Museum, said, “We are delighted that Simon is driving one of the cars from the Museum’s collection. The Run is one of the most exhilarating and exclusive motoring adventures in the world. These wonderful cars are all more than a century old and are some of the rarest and finest models from our collection. Watching 400 veteran cars take part in the Run is such a spectacle and we hope as many people as possible come and watch the cars and their celebrity drivers in action!”
To find out more about the British Motor Museum please visit the website at www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk. For more information on the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run please visit www.veterancarrun.com
Celeb group shot L-R: Nick Avery, Mike Brewer, Simon Gregson and Paul Cowland.
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