2023 - Last London to Brighton Mini Run?

[mab01uk]

While it probably won't bother many of us based on earlier comments about the L to B run.....but the London and Surrey Mini Owners Club (LSMOC) has announced 2023 is probably going to be the last London to Brighton Mini Run due to the extension of the ULEZ zone by the London Mayor, which from August will be expanded to cover last years new starting point in Cheam, Surrey which is in an outer London borough. It probably won't be long before Brighton has one too with the Green Party in control of the Council.
Historic tax vehicles are exempt from the ULEZ charge but LSMOC say the majority of classic Minis that were entered for the 2022 event were NOT classified as exempt/historic. There are also other reasons for this probably being the last event and LSMOC say these will be expanded on later but to give an idea the phenomenal costs/administration that are involved in the running of this two day event are not compatible.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/londont ... onminirun/

[mk1]

That is very sad news.

Sounds like a combination of factors all of which (or at least similar versions of them) will affect us all in years to come.

Classic car owners will soon be an endangered minority, I'm not holding my breath for Government support though, maybe if we all started wearing frocks

[Costafortune]

I'm going to identify as a Hillman Hunter.

[hanlminiman]

Very, very sad.
My first L2B run was in 1996 in a 1980s Mini City with 10" wheels. I owner from new - an undertaker!. Then my 17 year old son learned how to drive using drum front brakes and diary to stop in time! Those were the days. He enjoyed many early driving experiences. Just like I did as a teenager. He decided that I should drive there and back from Crystal Palace on the country roads. "Bending the rules & Ruling the bends."
Didn't we have a lovely time we went to Brighton! and back
What I remember most of that trip was a Mini dropping all it oil on entering Brighton and the commaraderie of all the Mini owners to helo out and sort the problem.
There was one year when with Rog the Hat when we stayed overnight in a cheap B&B but I don't think we will ever go there again, Nuff said.

[mab01uk]

I'm going to identify as a Hillman Hunter.

I think the London Mayor would much prefer you identify as a Tesla or a Nissan Leaf....although as a Hillman Hunter you will be ULEZ exempt/historic.

If there is a 2024 L2B Mini Run they will probably have a DVLA inspector at the start checking any electric classic Mini conversions for 'illegal' drilled or welded up holes which will result in your run ticket being cancelled immediately....
As a marketing opportunity BMW could also offer a generous 'scrappage' discount for any classic Mini traded in before the off, for a brand new BMW MINI Electric....with a range of 'up to 145 miles' perhaps the Green council in Brighton could also be persuaded to install rows of fast chargers along Madeira Drive for those with a longer journey home.

Here are a few tips that can help to extend your MINI Electric range:-
https://www.mini.co.uk/en_GB/home/range ... range.html

[hanlminiman]

But will there be enough charging points in Brighton for the MINI?

[swifty]

If there was charging points in Brighton they will be easily recognisable, totally covered in graffiti! …. What a shit hole it’s become under the Green Party …. Shirley

[mab01uk]

Reported in the Mail today:-

Will Sadiq Khan's car pollution tax drive classic race off the road? ULEZ expansion threatens annual London to Brighton Mini Run?
From August 29, the zone will be expanded to cover the start in Cheam, with the worst polluting cars charged £12.50 a day.
Although exemptions are in place for some classic cars, one organiser said around half of the run’s regulars would be hit by a two-day charge since many motorists camp overnight.
He added: ‘We already have to sell tickets for £45 and not many will be willing to pay £70 to take part.’
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... -road.html

[mab01uk]

Latest statement from Croydon Mayor Perry on ULEZ expansion.
"Croydon Council strongly opposes Sadiq Khan’s plan to expand the Ultra-Low Emission Zone. Khan’s plan will not only force hundreds of Croydon residents to pay £12.50 a day just to drive their car, but his own studies show it will have very little environmental impact. “Alongside other outer London authorities, Croydon is exploring options to legally challenge this flawed expansion. We will also be resisting attempts by TfL to use our lampposts and street furniture for ULEZ signage and cameras."
https://news.croydon.gov.uk/statement-f ... expansion/

[mk1]

Looks to me like the closure of the L2B is a choice, not something that is being forced on anyone.

https://www.popupcarshows.co.uk/london-to-brighton

[gs.davies]

I've not done the run in quite a number of years - the traffic getting in and out of Brighton makes it something of a pain in the backside on the day. Shame it's finishing, but I agree, I don think it's really about the ULEZ as it could realistically start from somewhere else, and quite a lot of the older minis are exempt from the ULEZ on the basis of their historic status anyway. it's probably just the nightmare of organising it, booking Madeira Drive, councils, mini owner clubs etc etc etc...

[swifty]

Maybe it’s something to do with the £125 entry fee ! . I’ve worked hard for my money and to me that’s not good value for money … Am I alone in thinking this ?….. Shirley

[hanlminiman]

I was confused by the £125 entry fee.
Further investigation revealed that it is not the fee for the Mini L2B run but the Classic Car run in June.
As I have said before I really enjoyed my first L2B run with my son in his Mini City (with 10" wheels!) and several runs in the early 2000s. Fantastic memories of the atmosphere at Crystal Palace, on the run and at Brighton. Sadly all good things must come to an end. Not all Minis are exempt from the London ULEZ fee.
I must also admit that images of the graffiti on the front is not attractive. Sadly, in my opiinion, seaside towns on the South coast are past their best.
Such a shame. I blame the Mods & Rockers in the 1960s. My generation.

[mab01uk]

However the Brooklands London to Brighton Classic Car Run is £125....which compared to the London to Brighton Mini Run LSMOC tickets are £45 and the organisers say not many will be willing to pay £70 to take part including the 2 x ULEZ charges (for the many overnight campers) if your Mini is not in the Historic Tax class. Petrol BMW MINI's should be ok as even my 2002 R50 MINI is exempt from ULEZ as it seems BMW were ahead of their time on MINI emissions in 2001.
It was hard last year for LSMOC to find Cheam Park as a suitable alternative start point to Crystal Palace...the venue must have good access, space for 2000+ parked cars, allow overnight camping with facilities, plus have a council and local residents who are happy to host noisy polluting old car events!
However it is true to say the increasing difficulties and cost in time and money and lack of experienced volunteers to take on the running the event is a major factor as well as London ULEZ restrictions and Brightons 'Green' council not being keen on old car events on Madeira Drive...

The Mini Cooper Register has a similar problem with the Beaulieu Mini Show and struggles every year to find someone willing to take over running the event from the small team of older members who now wish to stand down after many years of doing the job!

[mab01uk]

I must also admit that images of the graffiti on the front is not attractive. Sadly, in my opiinion, seaside towns on the South coast are past their best.
Such a shame. I blame the Mods & Rockers in the 1960s. My generation.

Brighton, now known as 'London on Sea' and sadly with many of the same problems that brings....

There was some old colour cine film footage of Brighton in the 1960's on Talking Pictures TV excellent 'Footage Detectives' series recently...Brighton looked so much better just as I remember it back in the day with the old green double decker 'Southdown' buses....

[IslandBlue]

Brighton, now known as 'London on Sea' and sadly with many of the same problems that brings....

There was some old colour cine film footage of Brighton in the 1960's on Talking Pictures TV excellent 'Footage Detectives' series recently...Brighton looked so much better just as I remember it back in the day with the old green double decker 'Southdown' buses....

But the same goes for any large town or city, you see film of the 50s or 60s and there's hardly any traffic and it all looks very civilised. Brighton is a city with all the problems that brings as you say. Many of the South East coastal towns seem to attract more than their share of life's less fortunate, there's an element of the authorities dumping people there I've heard, probably it's the ageing housing stock and consequent cheaper rentals. Sounds like a vicious circle.

I'll stick up for the place but every time I visit the centre, especially by car, I promise myself I'll never return. One of my brothers lives there, on the outskirts fortunately!

[mab01uk]

Looks like 2023 was the last London to Brighton Mini Run...

[swifty]

Now that the greens are out let’s see what the future holds for Brighton . It should be the jewel in the crown of British seaside resorts but lack of investment over decades has turned it into an embarrassment of a seaside town . Not only that but this year we went to 4 fish and chip restaurants/ shops and not one would take cash or even a card payment. Apparently we would have to download their app and order and pay for fish and chips online … CRAZY world we live in now ….. Shirley

[mab01uk]

Not only that but this year we went to 4 fish and chip restaurants/ shops and not one would take cash or even a card payment. Apparently we would have to download their app and order and pay for fish and chips online … CRAZY world we live in now ….. Shirley

Same thing is happening with car parks....I have a smart phone but I am not downloading all the different parking apps and I know plenty of 'older' people who don't have a smart phone or only use it as a phone and are now being restricted in where they can go or what they can do.

[Andrew1967]

Not only that but this year we went to 4 fish and chip restaurants/ shops and not one would take cash or even a card payment. Apparently we would have to download their app and order and pay for fish and chips online … CRAZY world we live in now ….. Shirley

Same thing is happening with car parks....I have a smart phone but I am not downloading all the different parking apps and I know plenty of 'older' people who don't have a smart phone or only use it as a phone and are now being restricted in where they can go or what they can do.

Be even worse if this spreads …

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/news/motori ... kdown=true