"This event was brought to you by the power of Facebook!" I remember thinking to myself as I drove into the services at Pease Pottage one sunny Sunday in May.
For those that didn't attend the event I'll try to paint the picture. Basically there is a group of enthusiasts based in London and a group based on the south coast who are all friends and often talk cars etc on Facebook. As it was cruzin season it was thought to be a good idea to all meet up for a run down to Brighton.
To make the most of the drive, the London crew drove down and the South Coast crew drove up and all met up at the services at Pease Pottage just off the M23 for the run down to Brighton.
There was an incredible display of machinery at the services from about 12 o'clock as more and more arrived with the meeting point becoming a car show in its own right.
London to Brighton May 2010
By 1 o'clock there must have been 70 + cars including American Muscle, Rods, Customs, Gassers and Classics. But word had come back from some driving up from the coast that the roads were tailing back going into Brighton. A plan "B" was called for.
The weather was too perfect, it was such a hot sunny day without a cloud in the sky, that had made all the regular folk decide to spend the day on the seafront too.
All of us still wanted to go to Brighton, but driving the machine we were they wouldn't take kindly to sitting in long tailbacks on such a hot day. Besides, if I'm gonna use up loads of fuel, I'd rather do it with the throttle wide open than sitting on the spot with the heater on trying to keep the motor cool!
London to Brighton May 2010
Plan "B" was to take the A24 towards Worthing but then divert to the Royal Coach at Shoreham.
This plan had several benefits:
1. we shouldn't get caught in traffic
2. we knew the landlord would be happy to see us
3. we could still go into Brighton through a different route after the traffic had reduced.
So it was decided and the convoy set off - and what a convoy it was!
The video and pictures don't do the event justice but they do give a taste of what a great day it was.
London to Brighton May 2010
A few went off ahead to clear as much of the car park as possible. When we got there we had at least half the acr park to ourselves, and those that couldn't get into the car park parked on the grass to complete the scene.
An enjoyable afternoon was spent having a drink, lazing in the sun and admiring the machinery on display. At about 4pm the Brighton rumble set off to complete the last leg of the journey.
This really was a great event that can only really be appreciated by being part of it. The word was going round at the end that it must be repeated before the summer is gone - and why not return the favour by the South Coast crew going to London.
London to Brighton May 2010
Cark Full - on the grass please!
London to Brighton May 2010
To view the pictures of the London to Brighton V8 Rumble “click here” to visit the gallery.
