On Friday 4th October VW Camper vans old and new made for Hook Road arena in Epsom for the Brighton Breeze 2019. This year celebrated the 70th Anniversary of the VW Transporter.
The Brighton Breeze is the annual run for all Volkswagen camper van enthusiasts. It is organised by the Split Screen Van Club which was founded in 1983 dedicated to the preservation, love, care and enjoyment of the pre-1967 VW vans. The event starts with overnight camping in Hook Road Arena. This year a very wet and damp Hook Road Arena with rain most of the week in the build up and heavy downpours on Friday. But this didn’t put of the harden campers. As soon as they had set up the smell of BBq’s and the sound of cans been opened along with wine bottles could be heard across the arena. The Burger van was doing a roaring trade especial in chips.
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.
And that was it for another year. Unknown to the majority of the population of the borough the VW Camper Vans had come and gone for another year. Here’s to next years event. we hope to see you all again in 2020.