Despite pre-dawn rain, 384 vehicles crossed the ramp during the 2025 RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run – the latest staging of the world’s longest-running motoring event, yesterday morning.

This year was the first running of the event with four vehicles powered by Sustain Classic Veteran 80; a sustainable petrol designed for use in Classic and Heritage vehicles with veteran engines. It is formulated from 2nd generation bio-mass derived renewable hydrocarbons and further tailored using traditional fuel components for performance benefits.

The event marked 129 years since the original Emancipation Run of 1896, which celebrated the passing of the Locomotives on Highways Act. That landmark legislation raised the speed limit for “light locomotives” from 4 to 14 mph and abolished the requirement for a man to walk ahead waving a red flag.

Yesterday’s event began with the symbolic tearing-up of the red flag – a pre-dawn ritual that this year also marked the 125th anniversary of the game-changing 1000 Mile Trial of 1900.

A total of 38 entries took part from Motorsport UK affiliated car clubs.

Evelkah Powell, Race for Diversity Manager, joined the buoyant atmosphere on Pall Mall during the Saturday, introducing the programme to a wider audience.

Jeremy Vaughan, Head of Motoring, Royal Automobile Club, comments, “The Club’s London Motor Week is a series of the most wonderful motor events, from the book awards to lectures. On Sunday morning, everyone gets up at the crack of dawn and we go to Hyde Park where there will be over 380 vehicles of all shapes and sizes, some electric, some steam combustion engine, and they make their way out through Sussex down to the Brighton front. It’s a true celebration of motoring and mobility.”

Ian Smith, Technical Director, Motorsport UK, adds, “The London to Brighton Run is one of the leading events in the classic motorsport calendar, and this too continues to embrace the eclectic future of motorsport – with electric vehicles and sustainable fuel now included in the offering. We hope to see even more vehicles running on Sustain fuel at next year’s event.”