Back where it all began

Allan Dick admires a 1918 Packard Semi Collapsible Laudalet at the Brighton Gala Day on Saturday....
Allan Dick admires a 1918 Packard Semi Collapsible Laudalet at the Brighton Gala Day on Saturday. Photo by Jane Dawber.
Motoring journalist Allan Dick recalls the day he joined the first Brighton Veteran Car Rally like it was yesterday.

That's because he joined it by accident while cruising around the streets of Brighton in his youth.

The editor of Classic Driver magazine was at the Brighton Gala Day on Saturday, offering information about each rally vehicle as it arrived at the Brighton Rugby Club grounds for display.

Although the weather was a bit wild, and few people ventured to the event, Mr Dick was in his element.

"I used to live here. This is where I had my formative years.

"My parents used to own the Brighton dairy. It's lovely to be back."

Mr Dick recalled the very first Brighton Veteran Car Rally 57 years ago when he participated in it by accident.

"We owned a 1914 Model T Ford. We were just cruising around Brighton, looking at girls as young blokes do.

"We came across the procession and we were waved on to the domain with all the other cars, until the organisers realised we were imposters.

"They kicked us out very unceremoniously."

He said his favourite car of the rally this year was a 1918 Packard Semi Collapsible Laudalet, owned by Robert and Lynette Duncan, of Wanaka.

"The Packard is just a wonderful car ... All the cars are much loved. They are all in exquisite condition."

Gala organiser Colin Weatherall said with 131 stalls and entertainment activities it was the biggest gala yet, attracting crowds "in excess of 10,000" during yesterday.

"It was a fun day out for families to come to Brighton."

The calm and warm weather followed Saturday's rain and cool temperatures, which "destroyed plans", he said.

So many people attended yesterday parking was "jammed up", with people having to park some distance away and walk.

"We're going to have to look at how to improve and manage that for next time."

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