Masters of motoring continues to grow

With June now upon us, the countdown has well and truly begun towards the first Masters of Motoring on June 18th at Bowood House & Gardens in Wiltshire. 

Being a debut event, the format continues to develop, with each aspect adding further to the overall appeal of the day. 

The number of cars participating continues to grow, with various clubs adding to the spectacle. In amongst these are some rare and exotic machines. As well as the theme displays, which will see Lamborghini and Marcello Gandini featured, as well as 60 years of the evergreen Porsche 911, vehicles on display will include more than 100 confirmed supercars, ranging from Ferraris, through McLarens to Aston Martin, so there will be exotica aplenty to catch the eye.

A potent presence from the TVR Club will feature a great selection of the British Marque’s more recent models, including the Sagaris, Cerbera, Griffith and, of course, the Tuscan. 

The latest partner to the event to be announced is leading specialist automotive insurance firm, Footman James (www.footmanjames.co.uk). The company is renowned throughout the exotic car and bike, classic and motorsport arenas, as being able to provide first rate service and ultra-competitive insurance packages for anything from single cars or motorbikes through to entire collections, and from standard models through to racing machines. Indeed, Footman James is the insurance broker to both Masters of Motoring and also the fourteen Great British Motor Show events that are taking place around the country in 2023. 

The official charity of the event is Speed of Sight (www.speedofsight.org). This incredible organisation hosts track days nationwide at a variety of circuits, so people with any disability will have the chance to drive themselves and an instructor around the racing circuit.

Speed Of Sight is run by blind race car driver and multiple World Record holder Mike Newman and co-founder, John Galloway. Interested participants can have any disability, as the team is trained to help everyone in and out of the cars, which are specially designed and built – two racing cars and three all-terrain buggies – to allow people of all ages with disabilities to enjoy the excitement and thrill of driving. Speed of Sight will be on-site at Masters of Motoring, promoting driving opportunities for all. 

Official Lubricants Partner Motul expects to have the fabulous 1962 AC Cobra, (BOO 8) at the event. The car is due to race at this year’s Silverstone Festival and other major historic race meetings, where it will be driven by upcoming classic car show, Paddock Speedshop presenter, Harvey Blake-Jones, in its special Motul livery. The car has an incredible history as not only was it built originally as a race car by the factory but, at one stage in its life, it was used in both Elvis Presley’s Viva Las Vegas movie as well as in the Ronald Reagan/Lee Marvin film, The Killers. 

Masters of Motoring VIP day packages have proved extremely popular, and only a limited number of VIP Hospitality passes are now still available. VIP packages include entry to, and use of, the VIP Sail Tent Marquee throughout the day, together with a dedicated VIP parking area near to the front of the show. 

Masters of Motoring VIPs will receive a glass of Champagne, from event partners Pommery, and food will include ‘gastropub’ fresh handmade enchiladas or a Greek food box for lunch. In the afternoon there will be tea or coffee and pastries in the private VIP area, and throughout the day a champagne bar will operate offering VIPs the chance to purchase additional Pommery Champagne or their locally produced Louis Pommery English Sparking Wine. VIP packages for the event cost £85per person and should be booked in advance through the website. 

“The first Masters of Motoring is coming together really well,” enthuses Event Director, Steve Bishop. “The response has been really good and together with our event partners and our hosting venue, Bowood House & Gardens, we are looking forward to welcoming everyone to what we hope will be the first of a growing number of Masters of Motoring events.”

Unique classic car being auctioned at Automechanika for Ben

A truly unique 1993 Rover 216 Honda cabriolet which made it to Monaco and back in 5 days last year is being auctioned at Automechanika Birmingham on 7th June to fundraise for Ben, the automotive industry charity. A rare classic, there are just 207 of these cars left on the road.

Truly one of a kind, the car was bought, lovingly restored and decal’d by Louise Baker and Rachel Murray and travelled over 1,500 miles as part of renowned car rally challenge, Bangers4Ben, which runs annually to fundraise for the charity. The car was driven by Louise and Rachel to Monaco via the south of France coast road and through the Alps last October. The well-travelled Rover is now returning to its home in the Midlands to be sold and raise further funds for Ben.

Visit Automechanika and take part!
Visit the Ben team at Automechanika, stand F114 on 7th June, and take part in the auction for your chance to win the car. Book a free ticket to the event here.

If you’re unable to attend Automechanika, you can still donate to show your support for Ben: https://giving.ben.org.uk/pf/lou-rach-1eb19 

Louise Baker, Company Director of Womanic Ltd, said: “Not many people know, but automotive can be a stressful profession. Ben is there for anyone in the industry who are struggling with their health and wellbeing - whether that’s mentally, financially or physically. So come along to the Ben stand at Automechanika and have your chance to take this one-of-a-kind car home!”

Ellen Plumer, Head of Marketing & Outreach at Ben, said: “We can’t thank Louise and Rachel enough for all their hard work fundraising for Ben with this brilliant banger. We hope to see many of our automotive family there at our Automechanika stand and we’re looking forward to seeing who takes the car home!”

Petrolhead heaven lined up at Automechanika

With just three weeks to go until the leading event in the automotive aftermarket calendar opens its doors, fans of iconic racing cars and classic vehicles are invited to book their free tickets to Automechanika Birmingham to catch a glimpse during the three-day event.  

Automechanika Birmingham is the jewel in the crown event for the automotive aftermarket, offering the opportunity to source the latest tools, technology and innovations at a one-stop-shop for mechanics and car enthusiasts, returning to the NEC Birmingham from June 6th-8th.

Petrolheads and fans of high-octane machinery mustn’t miss out on the free event offering a great day out with several unmissable vehicle exhibits. 

NAPA Racing UK British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) aces Dan Rowbottom and former champion Ash Sutton will be at the show on June 7th and 8th. They will be on the Alliance Automotive UK stand (R130), where visitors and fans can meet and chat with the drivers and grab a photo with them.

Fellow BTCC star Jake Hill is at the show on June 6th at Laser Tools’ stand (M120) with his Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport BMW 330e M Sport car – an evolution of the car he took three race wins with on his way to third place in the 2022 season.

Leading motor factor Arnold Clark Autoparts will have the legendary Vampire drag car on display for the duration of the event – the holder of the UK land speed record and infamous for being crashed by Richard Hammond on BBC’s Top Gear in 2006. Autodata at stand T72 will have a 2023-liveried Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 car on display, courtesy of the team’s sponsors Solera.

Illustrating the history of the aftermarket industry, a legendary Snap-on Ford Model T, complete with replica tool storage drawers its sales reps would have used back in the 1920s will be exhibited.

Additionally, the 1993 Rover 216 Honda cabriolet driven by the Bangers 4 Ben team of LouiseBaker and Rachel Murray is going up for charity auction at Automechanika Birmingham. The car returns to its home in the Midlands for the auction to raise further funds for the charity that supports staff in the automotive industry.

Louise commented: “I purchased a Rover to use for Bangers 4 Ben as it’s where I started; it’s where I learnt my trade – I know every nut and bolt on these cars, so it was an ideal motor to purchase. Buying something of this age not only came with a lot of blood, sweat and tears, but also a lot of time and energy went into it to make sure it was up to the journey.

“It’s a nostalgic car for me and brought back many great memories. It still even had that Rover smell! I’ve grown quite attached to it and it will be super sad not to see it on my drive anymore but I hope whoever purchases it really loves it like I do!”

The show offers an opportunity to get your hands on one of the few remaining classic examples of the vehicle, of which just 207 remain, which raised £1692 for Ben following a legendary road trip from Birmingham to Monaco in October 2022.

And if that wasn’t enough, the show will celebrate the evolution of the vehicle, with Bosch bringing its digitally adorned concept car, giving an insight into what drivers and mechanics can expect in the not-so-distant future. 

Ticket registration is sponsored by BookMyGarage.com, to claim a complimentary ticket visit https://automechanika-2023.reg.buzz/press