These days In the motoring world a red flag normally denotes a temporary stop to any motor race. As such it can create extra excitement as all the cars, that may well have become spread around the circuit have to bunch up for some form of restart.
Until 1896 it would have been a form of extreme frustration. The Red Flag Act had been in force since before the dawning of the automobile, having been intended to mitigate the dangers of traction engines. The Act demanded that all locomotives required at least 3 people to operate them – one of whom had to walk in front of the machine carrying either a red flag or a lantern. Speeds were restricted to 2mph in towns and 4mph in rural areas.
It was was sensibly abolished on 14th November 1896 and speed limits were raised to 14mph. An “Emancipation Run” from London to Brighton was held to mark the occasion.. Since 1927 the RAC Club has organised a revival of the celebratory runs and these have been a major feature of the UK motoring calendar. Vehicles built before 1905 are eligible to enter and 2024 saw 350 of them assembled in Hyde Park in the early hours of Sunday morning to head to the coast.
Above you can see Robert Rigby, Lord Mayor of Westminster and Duncan Wiltshire, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club, ceremoniously ripping up the Red Flag prior to the start of the event.
This year also saw the 120th anniversary of the founding of the Ladies Automobile Club which later was absorbed into the RAC Club. To recognise this the “grid” was led off by two of the 50 or so lady drivers taking part.
The run is in no way a race – though if it were this 1904 Fiat 130HP would be a hot favourite. One of 3 built as race cars it has recently been restored and was on its first ever visit to the UK. With a 16.2 Litre engine it is capable of 124MPH – substantially greater than the 14 allowed by law!
Pedal cycles also make the run, including a number of “Penny Farthings” where simply mounting and dismounting is a major feat, let alone riding one for over 60 miles of relatively hilly roads.
The cars come in all shapes, types and sizes so are quite eclectic – and some could be described as quite eccentric. One common feature of most is a significant lack of weather protection . This means the drivers and passengers are fully on view and display a wide range of facial expressions and attire. The connection between humanity and machinery is clear for all to see.
The run marked the culmination of a week of motoring events in London including the St Jame’s Motoring Spectacular that centred around the RAC Club on Pall Mall. Cars were on display both outside and inside the club.
Here is a further small sample of the 350 entrants as they wend their way past some of the wonderful backdrops at London.
