The cavalcade obviously majors on four-wheelers, but three-wheelers and forecars are also eligible and a significant number are regular entrants (and finishers). This year’s better weather brought out a good number of supporters riding a wonderful variety of machinery.
David Noakes’ De Dion Bouton single-cylinder tricycle had an interesting history. It was originally built by Dunlop for tyre-testing, before road registration in 1901. With this provenance, the tricycle is eligible for the Pioneer Run, the Veteran Car Run and even the Commercial Vehicle Run! After a long history of storage, David bought the trike, in poor condition, from local dealer Brian Verrall. This was no restoration for the faint hearted. A lot of work was needed, including cutting replacement gears. This was David’s sixth Brighton on the machine. He reports that top gear in the two-speed ‘box is good for a 30mph cruising speed and the long haul over Clayton Hill is the only time first gear is required. Steeper hills also have a tendency to displace the jockey over the back!
