Sinclair fan goes on charity trip

9:20am Thursday 3rd May 2007

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MOST people remember the Sinclair C5 as a quirky 80s invention that went disastrously wrong, but one High Wycombe man can't get enough of them.

Mark Smith is one of eight intrepid C5 enthusiasts taking the vehicles on a 65-mile London to Brighton trip for charity.

The group will leave the Houses of Parliament at 5.30am on Sunday, and hope to arrive at Preston Park, Brighton, between 4pm and 6pm.

Mark, 33, who runs a C5 maintenance company called C5Alive.co.uk, said: "I have had a C5 for years myself, but I was quite surprised how many other people are into it. A group of us have meetings, and just as a joke we started talked about doing the London to Brighton run.

"We're doing it for Children in Need, even though it's a bit early, and we hope to raise £700 to £800."

It won't be easy though, as each vehicle has a battery that lasts ten to 15 miles, depending on the terrain and the weight of the driver. A van will follow the group with a supply of new batteries, and two cars will also trail them, each carrying a replacement C5 in case of any emergency breakdowns.

Mark, who lives with his partner Maria Cheney in Brandon Road, said the C5s are a hit with today's youngsters.

He said: "Now they have got this cool factor. A lot of kids have never seen one before, and they all think it's so cool.

"I got my first C5 at a car boot sale in about 1998, and then I just got more and more into them.

"I really do think it's great, and it got a raw deal back in the 80s. I've never even come close to having an accident in one. Most drivers give you plenty of room when they see you, because it's so unusual."