HARDY motorists braved driving rain to complete the annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.
Around 500 vehicles took to the start line in Hyde Park on Sunday to begin the trek to the seafront, before motoring their way through Redhill and Horley just after 8.30am.
Puddles and rain can cause trouble for the participating vehicles, which were constructed pre-1905.
But driver Michael Dougherty, who completed the run in his 1902 Wolseley along with three generations of his family, said the weather added an extra dynamic to the day.
"We had a very good run," he told the Mirror. "We came round by East Surrey College and the water was about ten inches deep, but we've got nice big wheels.
"We normally keep the wooden wheels damp because it's good for them so I thought I'd give them a good soaking.
"The car didn't miss a beat. Strangely the veteran cars often do better in wet weather. I had about five layers on though!"
Celebrities including Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, TV adventurer Charley Boorman, and Formula 1 legend Sir Sterling Moss drove the route which passed down the A23 through Redhill and Horley.
Helen Holness, a spokeswoman for the event, said: "Everyone is in good spirits and all the cars took off from the start line in Hyde Park.
"We had some big puddles on the route but the cars have gone round them and everyone is still running."
