Veteran car enthusiasts have driven out the organisers of the famous London-Brighton rally, held annually since 1928.

Since it started, the rally has been solely for cars built in 1904 or earlier.

International Motor Sports Ltd (IMS) wanted to allow cars built in 1905 and 1906 to enter.

But angry regulars threatened to boycott the event in November 2002, claiming it would ruin the spectacle.

They organised a Red Flag Revolution - named after the men who had to carry a flag in front of vehicles pre-1904 - and planned a rival event.

At the last moment IMS relented and the 2003 event took place as normal.

IMS has now agreed to part company with the RAC and end its joint stewardship of the event.

Ron Shaw, from Balcombe, who holds the record for driving in 50 rallies, welcomed the news.

He said: "Cars made up to 1904 are very different to those made afterwards. Some of those in 1905 have gearboxes and proper brakes.

"The engine and everything is different - they're not even hard work to drive. It's a different sort of motor car altogether.

"When we heard IMS wanted to allow these to enter we said, 'No way'. When the first run was held in 1928 it was only for cars made up to 1904. I'm pleased IMS will not be involved this year."

Mr Shaw, 89, first entered in 1950 in his 1903 Coventry-made Rex Fore.

He missed the latest event because he was recuperating from a knee operation but hopes to be back this year.

Up to 400 vehicles enter the rally yearly and about half a million spectators line the streets to cheer the entrants.

The Brighton Run Steering Group, formed after the settlement of the Red Flag dispute, recommended a new organiser should be found, and the RAC intends to appoint Motion Works, run by a former director of Silverstone.

RAC secretary George Kennedy said: "The RAC has every confidence that Motion Works will bring energy, flair and value for everyone involved in the run.

"We are sure that participants will support our determination to maintain the authenticity and traditional nature of the run while injecting new ideas to provide more interest, enjoyment and value."