Royal Automobile Club’s Summer Run

Staged in glorious sunshine, predominantly on the leafy lanes of rural Surrey, the inaugural Summer Run, on 21 July was hailed as a major success on all fronts.  The welcome new addition to the Royal Automobile Club’s growing list of motoring events has been inaugurated to complement the world famous London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.  The new Summer Run has been created to give owners and drivers of these extraordinary pre-1905 vehicles the opportunity to drive their wonderful machines in rather warmer weather,  and to savour the camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts in relaxed surroundings.  Among the cars were revered names from the dawn of motoring such as Daimler, De Dion Bouton and Napier as well as less familiar, long-gone marques such as Argyll, Dennis and Swift.

Vehicles for the inaugural Summer Run gathered on the Cedar Lawn of the RAC’s Woodcote Park clubhouse situated near Epsom to the southwest of London, embarking at one-minute intervals on a 40-mile route through the rolling North Downs and picture-postcard villages of the Mole Valley towards a leisurely lunch stop in the tranquil Surrey countryside, before returning to Woodcote Park for afternoon tea and a casual concours and awards on the Cedar Lawn.

“While driving these remarkable veteran cars in November always reminds us just how intrepid and spirited those early motorists were, I’ve got to say it was a real pleasure to be swapping our scarves and goggles for shirt sleeves and sunglasses on the Summer Run, which certainly lived up to its billing.  Moreover, the longer daytime hours – plus the serenity of Woodcote Park – encouraged all those taking part to enjoy the convivial company of others sharing similar passions,” commented Royal Automobile Club Chairman, Ben Cussons.

The Club’s focus is now on the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run which takes place on Sunday 6 November, with close to 300 entries already registered.