Renault to Become Patron of the London to Brighton veteran car rally for the next two years.

Pioneering French motor manufacturer acts as Patron to the Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, the world’s longest-running motoring event

At the dawn of motoring, when the earliest horseless carriages first spluttered into life, far-sighted engineers across the world turned their hands to creating this wonder of the modern world.

While their innovative machines revolutionised our lives, few were businessmen… and the history of the automobile is littered with now largely forgotten carmakers: who remembers Locomobile, Clement, Norfolk or Gladiator, for example?

But there are exceptions. Société Renault Frères was founded in France in 1898, and headed by three brothers, Louis, Marcel and Fernand Renault. Louis was the engineer while Marcel and Fernand were the businessmen.

It was a combination that clearly worked, for Renault is still with us today.

As a manufacturer of advanced cars like the all-electric Renault ZOE, and as the powerhouse behind the multi-title winning Formula 1 teams, Renault spends most of its time looking ahead.

But at least once a year it remembers its heritage. The French firm is, once again, a patron of the Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, where a number of early Renaults, all built at the start of the 20^thcentury, will be making the annual pilgrimage from Hyde Park in London to Madeira Drive, Brighton.

Renault has pledged to support not just the Veteran Car Run for the next two years, but also the Regent Street Motor Show, the UK’s largest free-to-view motor show.

Running the length of London’s busiest shopping street, the Show will be held on Saturday 31 October, the day before the Run, showcasing 125 years of motoring history.

Speaking on behalf of Renault UK, Mark Waller said: “Life for Renault began back in 1898, just two years after the Emancipation Run, which the Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run continues to commemorate today.

“We are proud of the evolution that Renault has enjoyed since those earliest days and the Regent Street Motor Show, taking place the day before the Veteran Car Run, provides us with a wonderful opportunity to bring to life the journey Renault has been on from its earliest beginnings to the present day.”

Organisers of the Regent Street Motor Show and the Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, have created a Manufacturer Patron Sponsorship package which is exclusively offered to those ‘pioneer-to-present’ marques. They are delighted to announce this partnership with Renault for 2015 and 2016.

The Regent Street Motor Show will take place on Saturday 31 October followed by the Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run on Sunday 1 November. The early bird discount on entry fees for the Veteran Car Run will apply until midnight on Friday 29 May.