LONDON TO BRIGHTON VETERAN CAR RUN GENERATES OVER £1MILLION EACH YEAR FOR BRIGHTON & HOVE ECONOMY

News Release

The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run drove the Brighton and Hove economy to the tune of £1.1 million in 2010 while attracting 20,000 people to the locality. Results of an independent economic impact study conducted by the University of Brighton in conjunction with the Federation of British Historic Car Clubs underline the real value of the world’s longest running and greatest motoring event.

The economic impact study is believed to be the first of its kind to consider the economic benefit of an historic vehicle event to a wider community. It was based on primary data collected during and after the event at points along the route from Patcham, on the outskirts of Brighton, to the finish line at Madeira Drive on the seafront.

In the catchment target area, University of Brighton students implemented a number of research tools including questioning spectators, filming crowds at various points to provide evidence of spectator numbers, and conducting a questionnaire with participants while organisers’ and sponsors’ expenditure in the city was also accounted.

The unique motoring showcase attracted 20,000 spectators in Brighton alone, 66 per cent of whom were from outside of the city, helping to generate a staggering £1.1 million for the local economy. Furthermore, 65 per cent were returning to view the Veteran Car Run having previously attended the event. A massive 93 per cent said they intended to watch the Run again in the future.

Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club Motoring Committee, Ben Cussons said; “The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run has long been established as the pinnacle of historic vehicle events in the UK but the economic value of such an iconic showcase should not be underestimated. We are extremely proud of our working partnerships throughout the Brighton and Hove district and will continue to work in unison with those partners to ensure the event grows year-on-year, and thereby further assist the local economy.”

Geoff Smith, Vice-President of the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs, said; “We believe that the economic impact study implemented around the 2010 running of the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is the first of its kind, to look at how an historic vehicle event brings economic and social benefit to a community. The Veteran Car Run is a unique event but there are similar national and local events that take place in other towns and cities throughout the country. The exercise highlights the value of historic vehicle activities bring to such locations.”

The 115th running of the Veteran Car Run, sponsored by Tindle Newspapers and Bonhams Auctioneers, promises to be one of the best yet on Sunday 6 November 2011. Hundreds of thousands of spectators will line the historic 60-mile route, which starts in London’s Hyde Park and finishes on Madeira Drive in Brighton, making it one of the biggest free-to-spectate events in the country.

With the focus on Germany as this year’s feature country, the 2011 Run recently announced sponsorship from German automotive giants Mercedes-Benz and Bosch for what is expected to be one of the biggest gatherings of early Benz, Daimler and Mercedes cars ever seen.

Entrants of the majestic Veteran vehicles will start to arrive in London for the Bonhams Auction in New Bond Street on Friday 4 November, which features period-related vehicles, parts and automobilia, before the international participants retire to a reception hosted that evening by the auction house.

Around 100 of the 19th Century cars will grace London’s Regent Street for a Concours d’Elegance on Saturday, offering the public the first opportunity to see some of the Veteran cars that will take part in Sunday’s Run. Meanwhile, in stark contrast, approximately 80 21st Century cars will arrive from Brighton having completed the Club’s new Brighton to London RAC Future Car Challenge, competing against each other on the same Veteran Car Run route in reverse, using the least energy possible.

More than 500 of the world’s earliest cars (pre-1905) hailing from over 20 countries will leave Hyde Park at official sunrise (07:02am) on Sunday morning (6 November, 2011) and will attempt to cross the finish-line in Madeira Drive, Brighton, between 10am and 4.30pm.