To Brighton by Brush: another oily-rag success story

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Last week, we published our own account of the drive to Brighton aboard the 1902 Columbia electric car. This week, long-time Brighton Runner and veteran car arch-enthusiast Andrew Howe-Davies recalls his experience aboard another historic oily-rag survivor, the splendid 1903 Brush 12hp tonneau.

It's an event like no other I know of, or, for that matter, take part in. For some reason there’s a nervous tension about completing the tortuous London course. It’s partly related to the sheer difficulty of a potential breakdown in a large city where leaving the car is somewhat difficult and potentially dangerous. At the same time, there’s always the nagging realisation that trying to retrieve your trailer, left in either London or Brighton, is, to say the least, fraught.

Drivers need to develop extra sensory perception - bat-like ears for those odd changes in transmission noises, eyes like a chameleon for seeing the way ahead and at the same time watching the modern the driver at your side, fingers of steel to grasp the wheel and oil the engine at the same time...

Of course, in reality, the run starts weeks ahead of the day itself. What to wear?! Service the car!! Rediscover all sorts of forgotten issues...

The actual day starts later for us than others, with a 6.30 am departure from our West London house as we drive the car to the start. We love this dawn drive on our own through the deserted streets of London, seeing the early risers. Our favourite sight en route was of a Chinese sightseer who, whilst only four feet from us, was so engrossed in taking selfies of herself for an unseen admirer she never noticed a noisy 1903 car throbbing beside her in the traffic.

On arrival at the start we already have a sense of achievement as we pass along the spectacular line up of the later-starting cars. There’s little time to meet so many people at the start, so we settle for our neighbours in Sector Nine. It's a great part of the day, but sadly there never seems time to closely admire the cars.

We have on board the ultimate photograph magnet in the form of a Tibetan terrier named Benson, a nine-year-old hairy nightmare who seems to come alive on the event, his ninth tour of duty!

Finally, we’re off. Well, nearly... There's the long 'eight minutes of nothing' first, of course. This starting delay is, we are told, due to Transport for London having poked its nose in under the pretext of safety. This interference manifests as an eight-minute separation between departing car sector groups. It's quite hopeless - please abandon immediately! Why? Because it causes many entrants a worrying start... It's obviously an invitation to overheat, both to cars and myself! "It used to be so simple, just one policeman and his arm...”

The city drive is wonderful, down the Mall, past the Prime Minister in Downing Street, over Westminster Bridge, alas made slightly less enjoyable by roadworks everywhere and the quite ridiculous traffic lights operating for pedestrians who aren’t there, all the result of an idea for “Getting London Moving”. I think not, Mr Khan...

Then we pass the increasing number of members of the public watching and waving - there are more than in recent years who are lining the streets and driveways with barbecues and bacon aromas!

The Car seems to have settled down to its regular beat, but with steam boiling away at the long traffic light delays. We're enjoying the waving crowds and particularly the children’s faces when, of course, the dog is spotted! We endure the usual misery produced by the modern driver, who is blissfully unaware that the gap you have left in front you is for your safety. They soon steal it! Some junctions are much improved by the marshals on duty we thank them as we pass, though other bottlenecks are strangely not attended by marshals.

Our first stop is our usual at Christ Church in Purley, where they always provide a friendly welcome and warm haven with free drinks and bacon butties - lovely. We stop for fuel next and eventually the official pit stop in Crawley for extra tea and butties - even more lovely.

Back on the open road again after being stamped, you start to think about all the big hills lying in wait. Before that, though, there is always time for a welcome beer stop, of course, and that's where I meet a most pleasant gentleman who informs me his father was Gordon Horner, the illustrator for The Autocar magazine who took over from the great Gordon Crosby - amazing!

So, up the hills in first gear we cruise, steaming all the way through Ansty, or "Angsty" as we call it due the usual clogging up! So it goes until, at last, the relief of the last downhill section into Brighton and the crowning joy of sun, sea and sand, and of course the welcoming crowds.

Then we have the lovely chat with Ron the interviewer, finishing medals and the well-deserved Champagne for all! Hurrah!

This year was probably our easiest run ever in near-perfect conditions, so it was a truly a grand day out for all. Oh, and the dog loved it!

Words and photographs: Andrew Howe-Davies
 

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