By 7am the arena was starting to fill up. Over 350 vehicle’s had registered to take part on the run this year with vans coming from all over the UK and Europe. Vehicles of all shape and sizes took part from the 50’s to modern times lining up side by side for the trip to Brighton. Breakfast beside your van was the norm and one last chat over coffee with your neighbour before heading off.
At 7:45min the shout went up “15mins to the off” Then it went “10mins” “5mins” “Start your engines” 8am had arrived. Slowly the convoy left the arena and headed up Horton Lane and its collection of roundabouts towards Christchurch Road. At Chantilly way we noticed people stand by the road waving in return the vans would toot or wave out the window to those who had got up early to watch the convoy.
At Christchurch Road roundabout the convoy headed to Malden Rushett then left towards the M25, M23 then via the A27 Brighton seafront.