As tradition dictates, the West Sussex town of Crawley will be travelling back in time when hosting the time-honoured halfway halt on this year’s RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run (Sunday 6 November).

 
Back in 1896 all the plucky motoring pioneers taking part in the original Emancipation Run passed through the welcoming town centre as they headed south on what was then a very rudimentary A23.
 
Honouring that historic celebration of more than 120 years ago around 350 iconic vehicles dating right back to dawn of motoring – and their intrepid crews – once again will be enjoying Crawley’s evergreen hospitality as they take a well-earned breather on their hallowed 60-mile journey from capital to coast.
 
Featuring an eclectic mix of steam, electric and petrol driven vehicles all dating back to pre-1905, the world’s longest running motoring event has always bristled with magical period drama…  hence the perfect pertinence of this year’s new midway stop which, for the very first time, will be based at Crawley’s popular theatre complex – The Hawth. 
 
Set in a 38-acre woodland site, the Hawth will provide participants and their support vehicles with plenty of room for parking as they refurbish their antiquated cars and revitalise themselves in readiness for the challenges of the South Downs ahead. 

RAC Motoring Services, celebrating its own 125th anniversary in 2022, will be present to assist with running repairs while event partner CARS (Classic Automotive Relocation Services) will be offering restorative refreshments and other welcome comforts. The main Theatre will also be open providing restrooms and shelter from any inclement weather.  
 
While the public will not be admitted to the CARS Pitstop at The Hawth due to restricted access and limited additional on site parking, the revised route to the East of the town centre will now take the remarkable veteran cars along The Boulevard close to the town centre. With shops, cafés and parking, The Boulevard will provide spectators with a wonderful opportunity to see, hear and smell all these historic ‘horseless carriages’ as they make their annual way through downtown Crawley. 
 
With participants aboard the most venerable vehicles starting to leaving Hyde Park and heading down Constitution Hill, past Buckingham Palace and onto The Mall at dawn (07:02), the first few veterans are expected to arrive in Crawley at around 08:30. However, as a non-competitive commemoration, most participants are no rush in their efforts to reach the Brighton seafront by the Run’s close at 16:30, and thus will be passing through the town between mid-morning and early afternoon.