Ben is an enthusiastic historic racer and rallyist. He has competed as far afield as Macau and will be participating in next year’s Peking to Paris rally.  He has lost count of the number of VCRs that he has completed and forgotten about the ones when he broke down!  He is also a keen motorcyclist and enjoys long distance tours and, in 2018, rode from Northern Chile to Tierra del Fuego.  

Ben has an eclectic collection of old cars that range from his Jaguar C-type to a Series One Land Rover that he has just rebuilt from a box of bits -  Meccano for grown-ups!

I was born a few miles outside Coventry, and with a father who owned and maintained a number of early Lanchester’s, my interest in motor vehicles was assured. A move to Brighton more than thirty years ago, guaranteed that the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run would be an important annual event in my year, initially as a spectator, and for the last twenty-six years as a driver, after acquiring an 1899 Benz and a 1902 De Dion Bouton from various family members, who had owned the vehicles from the very early 1930s. These have been my regular steeds for the journey down to Brighton.

As an historian, I am well aware of the impact that the ‘Light Locomotives Act of 1896 and the first ‘Emancipation Run’ had upon arousing interest in motorised transport, and ensuring its eventual widespread adoption, but there are other more personal reasons for supporting the annual event. Within my own family, the cars we own are cherished items that several different generations have driven and enjoyed now for nine decades; the recent successful completion by ‘Fifi’ of yet another run, with my youngest daughter at the wheel, was a perfect opportunity for a family celebration. For many families with cars, participation in the Brighton Run is an important activity in the calendar. Likewise, for many residents of Brighton and Sussex, the sight of several hundred ancient vehicles making their way south, is something which connects them to their forebears too.

My interest in serving as a member of the Steering Committee is to support the efforts of the organisers to continue the successful running of this pre-eminent event that celebrates the introduction of motorised transport, and which brings so much pleasure and enjoyment to many thousands of people.

In recent years I have written and published articles and books on early motoring, with a particular focus on the machinery produced by the De Dion Bouton company in Paris. I am Chairman of the De Dion Bouton Club UK and a member of both the Executive Committee and Dating Advisory Committee of the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain.

It all began for me at age 13 when my neighbor invited me to help restore a 1930 Model A Ford Cabriolet he had purchased for his son to work on, but his son showed no interest. I learned welding while apprenticed at an ironworks at age 16, went on to get an engineering degree and spent nearly 5 years as an officer onboard a nuclear submarine, kindling my appreciation of steam propulsion.

All of these experiences led me to build a diverse collection of historic cars with a particular focus on veteran steam cars, as well as pre and post war race cars, which I continue to work on nearly every day. My wife Wendy and I also actively tour, rally, race and show the cars. My favorite annual event is the magical London to Brighton Veteran Car Run which we have participated in 15 times, and my proudest historic motoring accomplishment is completing the 2019 Peking to Paris Rally in a 1910 White MM Steam Car.  

In addition to being on the Veteran Car Run Steering Committee, I am currently the Executive Vice President of the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain, and I hope to do everything I can to facilitate accessibility and passion for the hobby in younger generations. 

I purchased my first veteran car in 1994 a single cylinder 1902 De Dion Bouton completing the first London to Brighton Run in 1995 and participated every year since, not all with success failing three times. This year will be my twenty fifth run, which hopefully will be a successful one with not too many problems on route. I am also delighted that this year Alan Titchmarsh will be the co- driver of my 1902 Mors.

Through the election process I joined the Steering Group and following many years of service was elected Chairman of the judging panel for the Concours de Elegance, a position never envisaged when I first entered the run in 1995.

I joined the VCC in 1994 and taken part in various events all over the country, making many good friends on route. I also enjoy other motoring events and ride my 1909 Minerva in the Sunbeam Pioneer Run from Epson Downs to Brighton. In 2013 with the 20 Ghost Club l completed the 2000-mile Alpine Tour driving my 1914 Silver Ghost through Austria, Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia. 

I am very passionate about the VCR and want to encourage more entrants to take part in the full list of events the R.A.C. now offers in their motoring week leading up to the big day. Especially the St James's International Concours the Saturday before the Sunday Run to Brighton.

In common with many other VCC members I was attracted to veteran cars and the Brighton Run by the film Genevieve. Indeed it has to be said that I am a bit of an anorak on the subject and came up with the idea of the Genevieve 50th anniversary weekend in 2002.

I bought my first veteran car in 1993 and have taken part in the Run with my family every year since. I am passionate about the Run and wouldn’t miss the weekend for the world. I am usually to be found in my trusty 1903 De Dion twin which, despite its very regular use, is wonderfully original. It is also very versatile having a detachable coach built roof but you can be sure that I never have it on for a rainy Brighton!

My newer cars are a 1914 sports Humber and various other vintage and classic vehicles including a Rudge Multi given by King George V to the King of Nigeria in 1921. I have also recently acquired a 1934 Singer Le Mans which raced at Brooklands and Donnington in period.

I have rallied in veteran, vintage and classic cars extensively in the UK and Europe and have been an organiser of six VCC main events amongst others.

When I’m not playing with old cars I am Distribution Director for Legal & General working in the Broker market and Honorary Vice President of Enfield rugby club.

As a member of the Club’s Motoring Committee from 2002 – 2015, I feel reasonably justified in being able to represent the members on this most important Steering Group. Perhaps more importantly I have been driving on the Run since 1990, on either a New Orleans, Daimler or Lanchester, although, alas, none of them owned by myself.

I manage my own specialist Jaguar service and repair business in London (Quinn Lyons) and I also happen to be patron of the Jaguar/Daimler Heritage Trust and trustee of the Sir William Lyons Charitable Trust, formed by my grandfather – the founder of Jaguar Cars Ltd.

I am a firm believer in celebrating our rich motoring heritage and the Veteran Car Run is not only important to the Club as one of its premier events, but also to the nation as a milestone in our motoring landscape. I will therefore be doing my utmost to ensure the Run continues to thrive for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.
 

I was first involved with the VCR in 1979 as spectator whilst a student at City and Guilds College, part of Imperial College, then drove in the run in 1980 and 1981 in the College’s 1902 James and Browne.

I have supported the VCR every year since, initially as a spectator then as a marshal until I purchased and restored a 1903 Rambler in 1991. Since then I have driven on the run every year, 12 runs with the Rambler then co-driving 1903 and 1904 Cadillacs. The last three runs have been in my 1904 Wolseley.

I am particularly interested in early motoring and car history especially researching rare and unusual vehicles and assist on the VCC Dating Advisory Committee. Over the last 15 years I have organised many Veteran car events including running a yearly one day event for Veteran and Edwardian cars. I take part in veteran, vintage and motorcycle events in the UK and Europe, including being a regular entrant in the Pioneer run from London to Brighton for pre 1914 motorbikes and tricycles.

I am a professional design and development engineer and maintain my own veteran, Edwardian and classic cars and motorcycles.

I have been involved with the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run since childhood, as my late father, Peter Tacon, was a regular participant, featuring in Genevieve with his Humber forecar.  The run has become our annual family get-together. My sister and brother participate with their 1903 cars along with me in my 1904 Autocar: our 6 children, aged 15-24, join in every year. We are so pleased that our children want to carry on with this family tradition.

I want to ensure that the run continues to be a fun, friendly, inclusive and enjoyable experience which attracts the younger generation.