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Footman James reveals UK’s Classic Capital

  • Footman James announces the most popular location in Britain with the classic car and bike community
  • Hundreds of enthusiasts have voted for their favourite automotive destination
  • Finalists include Bicester Heritage, Coleshill Auto Breakfast Meet, Goodwood Motor Circuit, The Motorist, and Re:Fuel
motorist-classic-capital

Footman James can officially announce that the UK’s Classic Capital is The Motorist, representing North Yorkshire. The Yorkshire-based venue has been chosen as the best place in the country to celebrate all aspects of classic car and motorbike ownership.

The Motorist triumphed over four other locations, each picked by the classic vehicle community as venues and locations of the UK that help make vehicle ownership so enjoyable.

Beating Bicester Heritage, Coleshill Auto Breakfast, Goodwood Motor Circuit, and Re:Fuel, The Motorist gathered 39% of the public vote and combined with the decision of the FJ judges, it is the winner of the Footman James Classic Capital competition.

Based in Sherburn in Elmet near Leeds, The Motorist has rapidly grown into one of the most popular automotive venues in the north of England since its launch a few years ago. Featuring an on-site café, The Arnage restaurant, and a garage & bodyshop, The Motorist is open all year round, but also hosts themed shows and meets each week.

Voters commented on The Motorist’s “great atmosphere”, saying it is a “true petrolhead’s dream and delight”. With a focus on welcoming visitors no matter what sort of vehicle – classic or modern – they favour, praise was given for its facilities and space. 

Yorkshire has a strong and growing classic car scene as reported on by Footman James partner, The Classic Valuer. The Classic Valuer’s platform allows you to see price guides for classic cars in one handy place, combining the sales data from across the years you can see the value of a specific classic, browse the latest auction results and more.

In 2023, the most valuable classic to be sold publicly was a 1961 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 ‘Flat Floor’ 3.8 FHC, for more than £304,000. Other models sold include a 2004 BMW M3 CSL (E46) for just under £100,000, and a 1989 Ferrari Testarossa for more than £87,500. 

Analysis of Footman James policies shows that the most popular classic car in Yorkshire is the MGB. Followed closely by the Morris Minor and Land Rover 88. Other popular cars range from classic Minis to Porsche 911s.

“We are delighted to have been recognised and to have won this fantastic award, voted for by car enthusiasts, our wonderful visitors and guests,” said Alec Howarth, Managing Director at The Motorist.

“We are excited over the journey we are taking together and this accolade really does spur us on, filling all the team at The Motorist with great pride and thanks. Thank you to Footman James, Classic Capital, the judges and to all those that took time to vote for us as we represent Yorkshire in this competition, your support is greatly appreciated.”

Charlotte Moseley, Head of Marketing at FJ commented: “Footman James is thrilled that The Motorist has been crowned the UK’s Classic Capital. Each of the finalists would have been a worthy winner so the competition was strong, but the strength of support from enthusiasts for The Motorist and Yorkshire was outstanding.

“The aim of the competition has been to highlight some of the best places to celebrate classic vehicle culture, where like-minded people can gather and share their passion for cars, bikes, and other models. We want to say congratulations to our worthy finalists but of course, to The Motorist specifically for all the good work they are doing for the community in Yorkshire.”

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New Range Rover and Rolls-Royce Ghost redefined by Urban at SEMA 2023

  • Urban Automotive’s latest vehicles exclusively revealed on Milltek Corp stand at SEMA 2023
  • Enhancements for L460-Series Range Rover and Rolls-Royce Ghost feature unique carbon fibre styling upgrades, now distributed in the USA officially and exclusively by Milltek as Urban Automotive USA
  • Find Urban Automotive at Booth 24313, Central Hall – Racing & Performance
UrbanAutomotive RangeRover scaled

Urban Automotive, the bespoke modifier of luxury automotive brands, is unveiling its latest products for the Range Rover L460 and Rolls-Royce Ghost at SEMA 2023 in Las Vegas today.

The exclusive reveal features two of the UK’s most evocative luxury brands redefined by Urban, with the latest Range Rover and Rolls Royce Ghost both equipped with a range of sophisticated styling enhancements.

Located on the Milltek Corp stand, both new vehicles showcase Urban’s latest carbon fibre styling kits, created inhouse by company owner Simon Dearn and his design team. Designed and handmade in Britain, Urban Automotive’s products are the only full-replacement kits available in carbon fibre, as part of a suite of upgrades which typically includes over 40 individual components.

Both the L460-Series Range Rover and Rolls-Royce Ghost feature Urban’s comprehensive styling package, as well as the optional Milltek Sport exhaust and a choice of alloy designs from Miami-based premium wheel specialist Vossen. Ahead of the SEMA show, the conversions were undertaken by the highly respected Platinum Motorsport Group in Los Angeles.

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Milltek Sport adds a rich soundtrack to the UK’s most luxurious 4x4s

  • Milltek Sport launches performance stainless steel exhaust systems for the INEOS Grenadier and Range Rover P530 4.4-litre twin turbo
  • INEOS Grenadier system is believed to be the first-to-market, giving the distinctive 4×4 the soundtrack to complement its uncompromised, purposeful style
  • Milltek Sport systems build on the factory exhaust with superior aesthetics and durability, being constructed from aircraft grade T304L stainless steel
  • Enhanced exhausts mount to the original fixings and follow the route of the factory system, ensuring easy fitting and uncompromised off-road ability

Milltek Sport, the premium performance exhaust specialist, has given two of the UK’s latest and most prestigious 4x4s the sound to match their imposing looks and go-anywhere ability.

The company, which has recently celebrated 40 years at the forefront of the UK’s tuning scene, has applied its exhaust expertise to the INEOS Grenadier and the Range Rover P530.

Milltek Sport has replaced the factory exhausts of both luxury off-roaders with upgraded, more aggressive-sounding stainless steel systems that also offer improvements in aesthetics, durability and driving dynamics. As well as giving both a more distinctive sound, the freer-flowing exhausts also pave the way for further modifications should owners wish to explore the tuning potential of the formidable 4x4s.

After debuting the prototype of its INEOS Grenadier system on the business’s own demo vehicle at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, Milltek Sport has now finalised the production version. Believed to be the first-to-market performance exhaust for the strikingly different, 3.0-litre BMW-engined SUV, the system features a 3-inch bore and is available as a particulate filter-back system with a choice of polished, Cerakote black, carbon, brushed or burnt/blue titanium tips. Prices start at £872.

Milltek Sport also has plans to complement the performance exhaust with an exterior styling package for the INEOS Grenadier, which will follow the additions to its own version that is thought to be the UK’s first modified example of the recently-introduced off-roader.

Likewise, Milltek Sport has used its own Range Rover P530 to accelerate development and be one of the first to offer an enhanced system for the latest 4.4-litre, twin turbo version of the British icon.

The new Particulate Filter-back system retains the OEM valve functionality and is supplied with a Milltek Sport Valve Controller to allow for full control. The exhaust also has an active centre section with discreet downturned tips, while the sound is now more reminiscent of that of the previous, performance-focused 5.0-litre V8 Range Rover SVR. The system is priced from £3,811.

Designed, developed, and manufactured in the UK, the Milltek Sport systems for both luxury 4x4s mount to the original fixings and follow the route of the original factory exhausts, ensuring easy installation and that off-road capability is not compromised. As with all Milltek Sport exhausts, they are constructed from aircraft-grade T304L stainless steel. T304L is a highly durable form of stainless steel that is far less susceptible to degradation and discolouration than many others of its kind, while it will last almost indefinitely.

For further details and to find their nearest stockist, customers are invited to visit www.millteksport.com

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D2H Advanced Technologies supports hydrogen fuel cell-powered Toyota Hilux development

D2H Advanced Technologies has played a key role in the development of efficient aerodynamic and thermal management solutions for a prototype hydrogen fuel cell-powered Toyota Hilux, capitalising on the company’s long experience in these areas while enabling the Buckingham-based engineering consultancy to build upon its extensive range of tools and services for the benefit of the UK automotive industry and its pursuit of net zero.

“We’re delighted to see the prototype hydrogen fuel cell-powered Hilux project move on to the next phase of testing,” said Matthew Hicks, D2H’s Engineering Director. “It follows the successful completion of collaborative implementation work that has seen Toyota’s latest fuel cell system, as featured in the Mirai, transform the Hilux into a zero-emission electric vehicle.”

The project, supported by the UK Government through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) and led by Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd (TMUK), demanded novel solutions to the challenges of cooling and airflow management.

As part of this work, D2H developed an innovative tool that portrays the results of CFD analysis in an easy-to-understand format. This not only allows engineers to quickly visualise where improvements can be made by comparing the results of multiple analyses, but also enables D2H’s clients to readily understand the value of the process away from the highly complex CFD environment. Ultimately, this allows D2H to deliver results faster and far more flexibly than other CFD providers.

“Efficiency is key to the success of these new technologies as well as their viability for markets such as mining and the power industry where recharging opportunities are less common,” Hicks continued. “With our know-how and newly-developed tools we can demonstrate how third-party additions and conversions could be aerodynamically optimised in a way that preserves the reduced environmental footprint offered by the hydrogen fuel cell powertrain.”

D2H will continue to be involved as the project moves through the testing phase, and has supported partners Toyota and Ricardo in developing an in-depth testing plan for the vehicle’s thermal systems that will ensure reliable operation across a wide range of scenarios. D2H engineers are also liaising with TMUK as the first prototype vehicles are built at the company’s Burnaston facility.

Sunil Maher, Senior Project Delivery Lead at the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), said: “The R&D activity undertaken by D2H has allowed the project to deliver a solution that supports the full integration of hydrogen fuel cell technology. Using their expertise in simulation, aerodynamics and thermodynamics to maintain performance and reliability, the developed research supported Toyota Manufacturing UK to significantly progress toward vehicle development and testing. It is great to see the automotive sector working together to deliver solutions towards net-zero targets.”

“APC’s Collaborative Research and Development (CR&D) funding programme supports the UK’s transition towards the development of a UK net-zero automotive supply chain by building connections, growing supply chain capability, and automotive product manufacturing.”

Richard Kenworthy, TMUK Managing Director, said: “The project team have accomplished an incredible job in a very short space of time, from creating the prototype build area to completion of the first vehicle. The UK Government funding has enabled us not only to develop a new vehicle in record time, but also to upskill our teams to work on hydrogen-related technologies, something we hope to build on in the future. This is a great vote of confidence in UK manufacturing and its potential to deliver carbon-free vehicles to meet future targets.”

Following the reveal by Toyota UK, the hydrogen fuel cell-powered Toyota Hilux will be presented at this year’s Cenex-LCV show at UTAC Millbrook, Bedfordshire, 6 – 7 September, and D2H team members will be on-hand to answer questions throughout the event.

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MG celebrates triple win at What Car? Electric Car Awards

The MG4 EV hatchback takes home ‘Best Electric Family Car’

MG Motor UK is celebrating a triple win at the What Car? Electric Car Awards 2023, with two of its most popular all-electric models winning their respective categories at the prestigious ceremony.

The MG4 EV has been named as What Car? magazine’s ‘Best Electric Family Car’ of the year, with judges recognising it for offering incredible value for money alongside market-leading range, technology and equipment levels.

The MG4 EV has now secured 28 award wins since debut last year, including an impressive eight overall ‘Car of the Year’ titles.

The MG5 EV, one of the only all-electric estate cars on the market, scooped ‘Best Electric Estate Car’ and ‘Best Used Electric Estate Car’ – proving that examples of the popular MG5 EV continue to offer drivers terrific value long after leaving the showroom.

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Give hard shoulders the cold shoulder this Bank Holiday

Slow down or move over this Bank Holiday to make the motorway hard shoulder safer for everyone, advises leading vehicle breakdown recovery experts Start Rescue.

Start Rescue’s Managing Director Lee Puffett says: “Our breakdown and recovery colleagues risk their lives every day at roadside incidents helping those with families, and they also have families to return home to.

“If you see roadside assistance taking place over this busy Bank Holiday, please slow down and make room if it’s safe to do so.”

 

Give hard shoulders the cold shoulder this Bank Holiday

This plea is supported by Paul Anstee, founder of the charity campaign Slow Down Move Over, who adds: “There needs to be more awareness and respect of motorists who have broken down, as well as the recovery professionals helping people. Drivers need to know the Highway Code, which says they should be aware of emergency services, traffic officers, recovery workers and other people or vehicles stopped on the hard shoulder.”

Motorway hard shoulders should only ever be used in an emergency such as a breakdown, illness or you are directed to use it by the police or Highways Agency. Stopping for non-emergencies on the hard shoulder could see drivers fined £100 and given three penalty points.

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Footman James begins the search for the UK’s Classic Capital

Specialist classic vehicle insurance broker Footman James is on a quest to find the UK’s Classic Capital, a location or venue that can lay claim to being an epicentre of activity for the nation’s classic car and bike community.

Whether you feel the crown should be awarded to an established automotive hub like Bicester Heritage, a local long-standing grassroots meet that has attracted enthusiasts for generations, or a village that has a history with classic vehicles, Footman James is asking for your help in identifying the worthiest venues and locations.

From thriving local bike nights down at The Red Lion Inn, to marque-specific meetups at South Mimms Services, the campaign is expected to highlight many hidden gems that serve as the backbone of the classic community.

The overall winner may not be the largest or most opulent location in the country – simply a deserving place that works hard to bring enthusiasts together to share and indulge in their passion for classics.

Following its launch at the Coffee & Chrome Collective’s Chateau Impney meet on Sunday 6th August, the UK’s Classic Capital is now open for public entry via the Footman James website: https://www.footmanjames.co.uk/classic-capital-2023/classic-capital 

Submission is free and open to all classic, retro, and vintage enthusiasts from across the UK. Entry closes on Sunday 10th September, after which Footman James will share the shortlist of venues before inviting the public to take part in a final voting process to find the overall winner.

Charlotte Moseley, Head of Marketing at Footman James, commented, “We are very excited to be launching our search for the UK’s Classic Capital this week. We know how important the places that hold space for our classic community are and we want to recognise them. If you have somewhere special that you love to take your classic, or somewhere in mind that screams passion for classics, then please let us know so we can celebrate them!”

For further information, please contact:

Jack Constantine

PR Account Manager, loop
Jack.constantine@loopagency.co.uk | 07925 635624

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Small print can cost classic car owners big, warns UK’s leading breakdown provider

A warning sign for classic car owners about small print costs

  • Almost 2 million classic vehicles and motorcycles need dedicated breakdown protection
  • Check for limitations on your breakdown cover, such as restrictions on call-outs
  • If you are travelling to Europe, make sure the country you are travelling to is included

Enthusiasts must check the small print of their breakdown cover as the summer classic car driving season gets into full swing, says Britain’s leading vehicle breakdown recovery provider Start Rescue.

According to DVLA statistics, there are currently 935,100 classic cars, 252,734 LGVs and 661,775 classic bikes on the road in the UK and owners could be wasting money on breakdown cover that isn’t fit for purpose.

The typical classic car covers 1,200 miles a year in the UK but most of those miles are done during the summer when owners spruce their cars up and head for the open road.

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Clipper Automotive to showcase its strategy to save and fully electrify 10,000 iconic London TX4 taxis at MOVE 2023

Clipper Automotive to showcase its strategy to save and fully electrify 10,000 iconic London TX4 taxis at MOVE 2023.

  • Clipper Automotive has developed a cost-effective, highly sustainable conversion system to switch diesel-engined London TX4 taxis to 100% electric power
  • Innovative technology behind the conversion to be showcased at MOVE 2023, taking place at London’s ExCel from the 21st-22nd June
  • Conversion has the potential to keep 6,000 TX4 taxis on the road when the extended London ULEZ zone comes into force later this year  

Clipper Automotive, the start-up electric vehicle company, will be showing visitors to MOVE 2023 how it can save up to 10,000 London TX4 taxis from the scrapheap with its fully electric conversion.

As part of its attendance during the sustainable urban mobility-focused event, which takes place at London’s ExCel from the 21st-22nd June, Clipper Automotive will provide an insight into the significant environmental and financial benefits of its 100% electric London TX4 taxi conversion, which is already approved for licensing by Oxford, Birmingham and Edinburgh City Councils.

Currently going through the TfL licensing process, the electric conversion provides a lifeline to keep 6,000 London-based TX4 cabs on the road when the extended ULEZ comes into force later this year.

The all-electric Clipper Cab presents a win-win solution to the problem, not only saving cabs from the scrapyard and contributing to cleaner air in the capital, but also boosting sustainable urban mobility and lowering operating costs for hard-working taxi drivers. Across the UK, there are a further 4,000 TX4 cabs that can be converted to keep working in the growing number of low emission zones.

The Clipper Cab is the first vehicle to be offered by Clipper Automotive, with the business planning to apply its technology to other vehicle types in due course. To help it launch its first fleet of converted cabs, the company currently has a funding round open in partnership with Centrus.

The innovative conversion sees the TX4’s factory diesel engine replaced with a pure-electric drivetrain, utilising Clipper’s own bespoke driveshaft, battery boxes and integrated control units. The batteries and electric motors are second-life units, sourced from the original and well-proven Nissan LEAF. This keeps the cost manageable and further reduces manufacturing emissions, while still providing a level of performance and range that are more than a match for a London cab’s requirements.

All the original benefits of the TX4 remain too, including the tight turning circle, strong spares availability, and the popularity with customers.

Dr Alex Howard, founder of Clipper Automotive, said: “We are delighted to be at MOVE 2023, the event being exceptionally relevant for us given what we are striving to achieve, both in terms of its focus and its central London location. We have an excellent solution that has the potential to significantly reduce air and noise pollution in the capital while saving a national icon, and we are looking forward to outlining our vision with an audience that shares our passion for innovation and sustainability.”

Clipper Automotive will be on stand S16A in the Start-up Village area. MOVE 2023 takes place at London’s ExCel exhibition centre from 21st-22nd June. This year’s event is expected to be the biggest yet, with 6,000 tickets already sold, and more than 700 speakers and 650 exhibitors.

For more information on Clipper Automotive and its pure-electric TX4 Taxi conversion, please visit: Clipper Automotive

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Newspress Awards 2023: Congratulations to the Winners

Newspress Awards 2023

The 2023 Newspress Awards have come to a close and it has been a real celebration of PR and journalism excellence.

We are especially delighted to announce the winner of the Newspress Lifetime Achievement Award, Ray Massey, Motoring Editor of the Daily Mail. The thing with ‘Lifetime’ awards is they tend to go to people who are putting their feet up and looking towards retirement. Not so with Ray – he’s still cranking out story after story, trying to get the bottom of things and championing the consumer (he also scooped the Consumer Journalist award this year, too). He’s not about to put his feet up soon, it seems.

There were other successes worth noting. The Intercooler got a worthy double with awards for Automotive Website and Automotive Consumer Publication: we can see the commitment to great writing and entertaining and informative content here. 

Another winner is David Twohig, who took the prize for Technology Writer. It was the first time he has entered, and it seems he has started off with a bang. Kia once again took Press Office of the Year, but Kerry Sainsbury of Toyota – another new entry to the Newspress Awards – strolled off with PR of the Year, while the Rising PR Star award went to Tamara Better at Nissan. Congratulations to them both.

Yousuf Ashraf, another first-timer to the Newspress Awards, scooped the Rising Star award for journalism sponsored by Suzuki, and Paul Horrell fought off tough competition in the Road Tester category, sponsored by Kia.

Other notables were George Barrow, who secured the CV Writer award, sponsored by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, and Charlotte Vowden, for the second year in a row, marched off with the Classic Car Writer award, sponsored by Footman James.

We were delighted with the response this year, and judging was particularly tough because of the high quality of entries. We know that it takes time and effort to put together decent submissions, but we want to thank you, the automotive media, for taking the trouble to enter. The competition is always tough, and those who have secured awards this year, must be secure in the knowledge that this is no cake walk – you have to be right on top of your game to win a Newspress Award.

A special black and gold commemorative trophy celebrating Newspress’ 50th Anniversary will be sent to all award winners.

Newspress Managing Director, Tim Barfoot, said: “We continue to be astounded by the high quality of entries and the commitment to the awards. Every year, hundreds of automotive journalists enter and that, for us, is pretty humbling. So, congratulations to all the winners.

“We would like to thank our sponsors, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Kia, Suzuki and Footman James who help to make all this possible.

“And lastly, I would like to thank our committed panel of judges: Graham Hope, Amanda Stretton, Andrea Baker, John Kendall, Denis Chick, John Nolan and Trevor Adams. It’s a lot of work going through the entries, and we really couldn’t do it without them.”

The full list of winners is as follows:

  1. Commercial Vehicle Writer, sponsored by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles – George Barrow
  2. Automotive Business Journalist – Richard Aucock
  3. Classic Car Writer, sponsored by Footman James – Charlotte Vowden
  4. Automotive News Journalist – Jack Carfrae
  5. Automotive Business Publication – Auto Retail Profit
  6. Automotive Consumer Journalist – Ray Massey
  7. Automotive Feature Writer – Andrew Charman
  8. Automotive Photographer – Jayson Fong
  9. Automotive Video – Electroheads
  10. Automotive Rising Star (Journalist), sponsored by Suzuki Yousuf Ashraf
  11. Road Tester, sponsored by Kia – Paul Horrell
  12. Automotive Technology Writer – David Twohig
  13. Automotive Website – The Intercooler
  14. EV Writer – Alex Robbins
  15. Rising PR Star – Tamara Better (Nissan)
  16. Automotive Press Office – Kia
  17. Automotive Consumer Publication – The Intercooler
  18. Automotive PR – Kerry Sainsbury (Toyota)
  19. Automotive Editor – Vijay Pattni
  20. Lifetime Achievement Award – Ray Massey