Q. What is the London to Brighton Mini Run?
As the name suggests this an annual rally / parade from London to Brighton and mini show organised by the London & Surrey Mini Owners Club and 2008 will be the 23rd run. There will be a total of 2100 official tickets sold and these are usually all gone by the end of February, and then hundreds more do the run in an un-official capacity.
Q. When does it take place?
The rally and show will take place on Sunday 18th May 2008 - however some people choose to arrive the day before and camp at the starting venue.
Q. How do I apply for a ticket? What does my ticket get me?
If you are a member of LSMOC you will receive you official application form in the post in mid December - you should complete this and follow the instructions on the letter. Members of other Mini Clubs should try contacting their events organisers, as about 60 clubs are given the opportunity to book direct, and your club may be organising a block booking. Non-Club members and the general public must apply through the coupon in Mini World Magazine March and April editions (out in late January and late February). Mini World is available through most good newsagents, or visit them on www.miniworld.co.uk. Your ticket gets you a Run Pack which includes a Run Plaque, Run Sticker, Run T-Shirt and Official Program, as well as access to the official parking areas exclusive for Minis at Crystal Palace and Madeira Drive Brighton.
Q. Can I join in the Run without a Ticket? And do I need a Mini to join in the Fun?
We are limited to 2,100 official runners, so if you have been unable to obtain a ticket but still want to join the fun you can! You can join the rally on-route outside Crystal Palace Park, go with the convoy and then park in one of Brighton's public car-parks (only cars with tickets can park on the sea front and access Crystal Palace), pedestrians can enter Madeira Drive and the Sea Front free of charge so you don't even need a Mini if you live in Brighton or just want a fun day with Minis. You may still use the camping facilities at Crystal Palace Park even if you do not have a ticket, however your car will not be allowed in so you must use the nearby public car park and carry your equipment in on foot.
Q. What kinds of Minis are allowed to do the run?
In a word any! Classics, Variants, New BMW Minis - all are welcome!
Q. Where does it happen?
The run starts at Crystal Palace Park, Thicket Road, Penge, London SE20 8DT (for those of you who want multi-map directions and don't worry we send you a map with your tickets) and ends on the Sea Front at Madeira Drive, Brighton (via the Dukes Mount Entrance for General Runners and Non-LSMOC Club Stands, or the Pier for SNS entrants and LSMOC Club Stand).
Q. What route will the rally take?
The official route is via the A23, although many do use the M23 - and any other route you can think of!
Q. What time does it all start and finish?
If you decide to camp at Crystal Palace Park you will be given access from 4pm on Saturday 17th May. If you plan to arrive on the morning of the run you should try to get to Crystal Palace Park for registration opening at 5.30am. The official run start time will be 8.30am so be sure to arrive early and collect your run pack. Once on the run time seems to slip away so you will probably arrive in Brighton after lunch to spend the afternoon taking in the grand site of thousands of Minis taking over the entire sea front at Brighton. The official show close is 5pm after the prize giving, although people (other than SNS) are free to leave earlier. Keep an eye on the itinerary and news pages for more details of timings, there is a lot happening on the day and you won't want to miss anything!
Q. How long will my tickets take to arrive? How do I know if I've got a place?
If successful in obtaining a place on the run you will receive your tickets about six weeks after application. If you are unsuccessful your cheque and application will be returned to you as soon as possible.
Q. What if I lose my ticket?
We have a policy of no ticket no entry. If you lose your ticket you will have to re-apply and re-pay.
Q. What if I don't know what car I will be in when I buy my ticket?
Put a note on your application that the details are to follow and e-mail us at least two weeks prior to the run to allow us to update our database.
Q. What if I want to change my details? Or the details of the car I intend to use?
You must inform us immediately ensuring you tell us your run number, old details and new details using any of the methods on the contacts page but ideally via email to enquiries@london-to-brighton.co.uk
Q. I have sold my car, and no longer require the ticket, can you give a refund or can I sell it?
Tickets can only be refunded if returned to us complete by the end of February, after this time refunds will not given. Tickets cannot be transferred or sold without prior consent of LSMOC; if you are unsure email and ask. We do monitor eBay to ensure tickets are not traded so please be aware we do not allow tickets to be re-sold on eBay. This may seem unfair however we do not want Mini owners to be exploited and forced to pay prices higher than the face value of the ticket. We may allow resale but only if it is for the original price. If a ticket is re-sold we retain the right to reject or refuse entry, and car registration numbers are validated.
Q. What facilities are provided at Crystal Palace? Is camping available and is there a charge?
Camping is allowed free of charge at Crystal Palace Park, from 4pm on Saturday, but you must have packed up by 6.00am on Sunday morning. Facilities are limited to toilets with wash basins and running cold water (not hot water or showers). It can get a little noisy so if you have a family or children try to camp away from the noisy ones. Security will be on-site overnight along with food retailers and St John's ambulance. We also try to make the evening go with a bang with some light entertainment and special sales of L2B merchandise. If you want a more civilised camping experience Crystal Palace does have an official caravan club camp-site very close, details can be obtained from Telephone 0208 778 7155 - or visit www.tiny.cc/l2bcamping charges are £5 per pitch and £4 per adult (correct at time of print) and for that you also get hot showers and proper facilities!
Q. Can I enter the Show 'n' Shine?
Yes details will be provided in your run information leaflet (posted to you with your ticket). There is a limit of 15 cars per category, and you will be contacted in writing to confirm your place.
Q. I am new to all this, what would you advise?
Buy a ticket using the instructions given earlier and just arrive at Crystal Palace Park on time. After that just go with the flow with 2099 other minis on the run and about 5000 people all doing the same thing, you will soon catch the drift, don't worry!
Book early to avoid disappointment, tickets sell fast! We are always over-subscribed.
Q. I am an Orange Badge holder can you help?
Orange Badge holders should e-mail us on enquiries@london-to-brighton.co.uk for information and special arrangements.
Q. Extra T-shirts run packs and children's T-shirts?
These cannot be pre-ordered however the club will be selling adult's and children's T-shirts and additional run packs at Crystal Palace and Brighton. So don't worry you can get extras!
Q. Limited edition L2B models?
After the success of previous years, LSMOC will be once again producing a limited number of London to Brighton models; these will be sold on a first-come first-served basis from the LSMOC stand at Brighton. Only L2B runners can buy models, and sales are limited to one per ticket holder, if you come to buy a model you will need to present your run ticket to be marked to ensure that they are fairly distributed, and not all bought by one person and then sold on eBay.
Q. Are there any rules?
Unfortunately yes!
Obviously you should follow the normal traffic laws when on the public highways, and observe a 5mph speed limit within Crystal Palace Park.
Always follow the directions of the Marshals and park where told.
Do not light fires or fireworks at Crystal Palace.
London & Surrey Mini Owners Club reserves the right to disqualify / refuse entry to anyone who is thought to be driving recklessly, on the Run or at either end, without a refund.
It's not a race, and there is plenty of time, the Brighton festivities will not start before 11am.
The Show 'n' Shine judge's decision is final as is the right to transfer any mini from class to class in the Show 'n' Shine.
The club does not accept liability for any loss of damage of any kind due to participating in the Run. Remember thieves may be operating on the run and in your area! Lock all valuables away and have a great time!
The run is for Minis / MINIS / Variants ONLY and if you turn up in any other car you will not be permitted at either end of the run!
Be nice and patient.
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