PIONEER MOTORCYCLE RUN TO BRIGHTON!

This race has run consistently for 75 years now with a few slight variations. Since 1930 the start has moved about a bit from Tattenham Corner to Croydon Aerodrome and eventually back to Tattenham Corner, but despite these changes it is now firmly established as the main event for pre 1915 veteran machines. It is worth noting that from now on all the machines in the race will be over 100 years old – so as you can imagine they are a pretty amazing and unique sight to see on the road today.
Despite the variety of start lines, the finish line has remained relatively stable at Madeira Drive, Brighton with the two notable exceptions of Peachaven and ...Paris zut alors!– wonder how many actually made it there?
Historically the race has run every year apart from when it was suspended during WW2 and in 2001 due to the foot and mouth epidemic and sadly last year due to terrible weather.

To keep track of all the vehicles which are in the run and make sure that they really are veterans, the Club started a dating committee in 1938 to check and register all the pre 1915 vehicles which wanted to enter. Nowadays only vehicles on that register are eligible to enter the run as their authenticity can be verified. This Pioneer Register has become one of the main sources of information for pre 1915 machines and any entrants wishing to take part must be checked and added to the register to make sure they are authentic or they will not be able to run.
The Pioneer run has grown year on year, until today it is the world’s largest gathering of pre 1915 machines with over 370 machines travelling from Epsom to Brighton and new entrants coming from all over the world.


Class A - machines built before 1905
Class B - machines built between 1905 and 1909
Class C - for those between 1910 and 1914

This is the route the amazing, and sometimes unlikely looking machines will be taking on Sunday if you want to go and catch a glimpse of these brave souls in action.
They will set off from Tattenham Corner, Epsom at 8am and travel to Brighton via the A 217 through Reigate, on to the A23 at Gatwick, then via Handcross, Cowfold and Henfield then back onto the A23 at Pyecombe. They then wend their way through Brighton to Madeira Drive by the Pier on the seafront.
The first machines (the relatively speedy ones!) are expected in Brighton from 10am and the prizes will be awarded at 2pm.

Many famous names have taken part in the run in the past including: John Surtees, Graham and Murray Walker, Jon Pertwee, Dave Bickers and Sammy Miller.


Brighton Pioneer Run

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