You don’t need a fancy car. You just need a 1904 steam-powered toaster. Or a friend with one. The crowd is pure joy—people bring picnics, dress in Edwardian clothes, and wave Union Jacks.
My favourite moment: a driver stopped to help a cat cross the road. The crowd cheered for ten minutes. The car behind him stalled, and everyone pushed it. Community spirit, baby.
The Best UK Car Events of 2026 | Windrush Car Storage
It’s a middle finger to modern life. No sat-navs, no airbags, no stress. Just the sound of a hand-crank and the smell of burnt castor oil.
How to Get the Best Experience
Go to the start at Hyde Park at 6am. Watch them crank the engines. Some cars take 20 tries. Bring hot coffee and a blanket. You’ll freeze, but you’ll laugh.
Then drive to a hill called “Handcross.” It’s a steep gradient where old cars struggle. Stand there and shout “You can do it!” like a sports parent. They’ll appreciate it.
Finally, catch the finish at Brighton seafront. Bring a camera. You’ll see drivers covered in soot, grinning like idiots. One woman last year said, “My hair smells like a Victorian factory. I love it.”
