The annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run took place today (Sunday, November 4th) one hundred and sixteen years since it was first run. Over 500 pre-1905 vehicles assembled at Hyde Park for the official sunrise start of 07:00am, for their journey from Hyde Park in London to Madeira Drive, Brighton. Taking place on public roads, it is a free rolling museum for spectators. With many drivers and passengers dressed in period costume, the event really does turn back the clock to the pioneering days of motoring. Many enthusiasts gather at various locations along the 60 mile route to support the drivers and passengers of these wonderful nostalgic vehicles.

This year the thousands of spectators who lined the route were also treated to the sight of some well-known faces – including TV adventurer Charley Boorman, Coronation Street actor Tony Hirst, former Formula One drivers Jochen Mass and Sir Stirling Moss OBE, and Pink Floyd's Nick Mason, taking part for his 19th time in this event.

The weather gods showed no respect to either man or machine, and gave it their best shot to make the conditions as miserable as they could. From early morning, in London, Brighton, and every point between, there was a biting cold wind, along with rain, hail and even sleet falling from leaden skies. The roads that the cars struggled along were flooded in various places - some, apparently, to the depth of two feet, forcing some vehicles onto pavements to negotiate through the wetter parts.

Thankfully, by the time that the first fifteen or so cars had arrived in Brighton (much later than previous years, due to the bad weather) the conditions started to brighten, with the rainclouds clearing giving blue skies and sunshine for the completely sodden and frozen drivers and their passengers.

One of the many great things about the event is that despite everything that the weather throws at the participants (and the crowds that line the route), no-one's spirit seems to be dampened, irrespective of how cold or wet they are. With entrants from as far afield as China, Australia, the US and Canada, the weather did seem to be a topic of conversation as each arrived at the finishing line on Madiera Drive, although all seemed to be looking forward to returning next year so clearly is wasn't too much of a issue for them!

Nick Mason arrived in Brighton around 11:40am, around an hour later than he has made it on previous occasions, and he was clearly wet and chilled to the bone. As with most of the participants, it wasn't long before he sought refuge - and a hot drink - after parking up his car and indulging a TV crew, along with Brain Damage, of course...