And they're (Bake) Off! Paul Hollywood and Sir Steve Redgrave among drivers in 60-mile London to Brighton Veteran Car Run Annual event sees owners of highly valuable veteran cars drive them from London's Hyde Park to Brighton seafront Sir Steve Redgrave is driving a 1904 Thornycraft and took 'veteran car driving lessons' in preparation last month Former Formula 1 engineer Ross Brawn is driving the only known surviving British-built Wilson Pilcher Olympic star Sir Ben Ainslie helped Sir Steve and Paul Hollywood tear the red flag at the star of the Run in London This year's race of rare veteran cars from London's Hyde Park to the seaside in Brighton has a few familiar faces, including formidable Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood and Olympic rowing great Sir Steve Redgrave. Mr Hollywood is driving a De Dion Bouton belonging to the Beaulieu Museum, while Sir Steve took charge of a 110-year-old Thornycroft in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run today. Also taking part were Ross Brawn, who is taking a sabbatical from Formula 1 after leaving the Mercedes Grand Prix team earlier this year, driving his own veteran car - the only known surviving British-built Wilson Pilcher. Another Olympic star, Sir Ben Ainslie, was on hand, to held Sir Steve and Mr Hollywood tear the red flag at the start of the run at The Mall in central London. Paul Hollywood takes the wheel and drives the Baulieu Museum's De Dion Bouton over Westminster Bridge in London Sir Steve Redgrave adjusts the mirror before beginning his 60-mile journey from London in the 1904 Thornycroft From left, Sir Steve Redgrave, Paul Hollywood and Sir Ben Ainslie tear the red flag at the start of the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run Around 500 vehicles participate in the 60-mile event, which attracts entrants from across the globes, and sees the owners of highly valuable rare cars enjoy a rare opportunity to take them our for a spin. And while the majority of the cars came from the UK, there are also vehicles from the US, Canada, Hong Kong, Sweden, Denmark and Australia. Sir Steve is driving a 1904 Thornycroft in this year's event, which kicked off earlier today. The car belongs to the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust based at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon and last month, he visited the centre to take some lessons in preparation. And despite the weather, enthusiastic motorists smiled for the cameras despite very few of the cars offering any protection against the elements. A quick coffee in Hyde Park at the start of this year's Bonham's London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. Pictured, Ross Brawn Ross Brawn, who is taking a sabbatical from Formula 1 after leaving the Mercedes Grand Prix team earlier this year, with his only known surviving British-built Wilson Pilcher It's an early start for Sir Steve Redgrave CBE, who is driving a 1904 Thornycroft owned by the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Buckingham Palace can be seen in the background as this car sets off along The Mall in London A car drives over Westminster Bridge during the Royal Automobile Club's annual London to Brighton veteran car run Participants in fancy matching outfits drive over Westminster Bridge at the start of the race in London this morning Meanwhile, others have wrapped up warm for the journey, which will see around 500 vehicles travel 60 miles from London to Brighton A passenger smiels and waves for the camera near Parliament Square in London A striking Big Ben can be seen in the background as drivers take to the roads despite a drizzly start to the day Cutting a contrast between the old and the new, a London bus overtakes a veteran car in Westminster, London Some have donned goggles to protect themselves from the elements as the veteran vehicles offer little protection Paul Hollywood, left, and Sir Steve Redgrave, appear to be have a rivalry at the start of the race in London's Hyde Park One driver has brought his pet along for the ride from London to the seaside in Brighton Early in the day, one driver has a problem and the RAC has been called to assist But another vehicle has a serious problem and needs a push along Westminster Bridge in London Built in 1905, the vintage car is expected to go for between £340,000 and £360,000 at Bonhams on October 31 A rare 109-year-old French steam-powered car bought by a farmer for £450 has sold for £3711,100 at auction. The Gardner-Serpollet 18HP Type L Phaeton Steamer was one of the first-ever vehicles on Britain's roads in 1905. Its first owner was steam car enthusiast Alec Hodson who sold it to farmer George Milligan in 1957 for £450 - roughly £9,467 in today's money. In 2009 Mr Milligan sold the car at auction in London for £238,000 and just five years later it is being sold again - and is expected to make another £100,000 profit. The historic steamer - which has the number plate AH 100 - is set to fetch between £340,000 and £360,000 when it is auctioned on October 31. The car is still going strong and is due to take part in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run on November 2.? It was voted the historically most important car in the 2010 event. Bonhams said Mr Milligan had an 'amazing collection' of early motor cars. One of them, a 1929 super-charged Mercedes-Benz SSK, sold at the auction house for £4.18 million in 2004. The car, voted the most historically important car in 2010's London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, is still going strong and is taking part in this year's event.