Although quite a few elements of the 1896 Emancipation Run were fairly shambolic on the day, Harry Lawson and his team did prepare an excellent briefing document, which covered all the essentials. Unlike the present-day Run, where participants are up with the lark and start leaving London at sunrise, the first car away in 1896 had a leisurely morning, departing at 10.30am after what was no doubt a splendid breakfast at the Hotel Metropole - available at a cost of 10 shillings per person, including wine(!).

We were impressed with the special train which was chartered for 'guests of the Motor Car Club not able to find accommodation on the Motor Cars'. This stopped at Reigate so that passengers could join the run participants at lunch at the White Hart Hotel, before chugging off down to Brighton for the finish. All in all, a jolly good show.