Arts Council England
Printable version

Our Director of Museums teams up with Olympic champion for vintage car run

On Sunday 2 November 2014, Arts Council England’s Director of Museums, John Orna-Ornstein, will team up with five times Olympic champion, Sir Steve Redgrave, to take part in the world’s longest running motoring event.

The pair of vintage car enthusiasts will be behind the wheels of cars from The Heritage Motor Centre in Gaydon, Warwickshire, for the 118th Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.

This historic 60 mile rally commemorates the Emancipation Run of November 1896, which celebrated the landmark Locomotives on the Highway Act.

Widely known as the 'Red Flag Act', this new law saw the speed limit for 'light locomotives' increase from 4 to 14mph – a triumph for early motorists whose vehicles had previously needed to be preceded by a man on foot carrying a red flag.

This moment of progress in England’s motoring history is marked with the symbolic destruction of a red flag as 500 vintage cars - all manufactured before 1905 - set off from London’s Hyde Park to the Brighton seafront, in a demonstration of the pioneering spirit of the early motorist.

The 1904 Rover which John Orna-Ornstein will be driving from London to Brighton can normally be found on display at the Heritage Motor Centre, home to the world's largest historic collection of British cars.  Its collection boasts over 300 cars which span the classic, vintage and veteran eras and includes iconic cars such as: Austin 100 HP, Land Rover No1, Morris Minor No1, the first and last Mini, MG old No1, and the Thunderbirds Fab1 car.

John Orna-Ornstein, Director of Museums, Arts Council England, said: “I’m really honoured to have been offered the opportunity to drive one of the vintage cars in the rally. The Heritage Motor Centre’s collection is superb and I’m looking forward to crossing the finish line in one of their historic vehicles.”

Find out more

If you’re taking part in the Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run as a spectator, Tweet your pictures to us @ace_national – we’d love to see them!

Explore the Heritage Motor Centre’s cars and motoring history.

Read more about Arts Council England’s investment in Museums.

For any Heritage Motor Centre press enquiries please contact hmcpress@heritage-motor-centre.co.uk or 01926 641188

 

Channel website: http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/

Share this article

Latest News from
Arts Council England

Free, Secure, Compliant UK Public Sector IT Recycling Service