Vertu Motors

Bristol Street Motors is backing a race team and their Corsa, as they ready themselves to take part in the UK’s biggest rally.

Driver Neil Weaver and his co-driver, Jack Morton, are set to compete in the RAC Rally (Roger Albert Clark Rally). The rally begins in Carlisle, before covering 320 miles of gravel tracks and 826 miles of road across England, Scotland and Wales.

Bristol Street Motors is supporting Neil and Jack by paying their £4,500 entry fee, enabling their heavily modified Vauxhall Corsa B S1600 to take part in the five-day event.

The Roger Albert Clark Rally is the biggest race in the UK, with 147 cars competing over 31 stages, covering over 1,000 miles. Carlisle hosts a ceremonial start, before competitors head to Kielder Forest, then into forestry areas of Dumfries and, finally, mid-Wales. The rally only permits pre-1990 vehicles and recreates the iconic RAC rallies of the 1970s and 80s.

Both Neil and Jack have extensive rally experience, with more than 250 races between them. Neil is a well-respected rally expert, offering car preparation from his Weaver Motorsport base in Wales. 26-year-old Jack, who began co-driving at just 14, comes from racing pedigree; his father, Phil, competed in the British Rally Championship and other competitions in the late 1990s and 2000s. Jack credits his father with giving him the ‘rally bug’.

Neil Weaver, driver, said: “I think Jack thought I was joking when I asked if he was up for the Roger Albert Clark rally, but I’m glad to have him in the seat next to me. This is the most intense rally in the UK, with five days of seriously testing driving conditions.

“Having the backing of Bristol Street Motors is a huge honour, it’s a well-known brand across the country and I’m sure we will represent them well.”

Jack Morton, co-driver, said: “It’s fantastic to have the support of Bristol Street Motors as we prepare for this rally.

“This is the first time I’ve taken part in the RAC; it has a reputation as the biggest and best rally in the UK, so I’m really excited to take on the challenge. Entering these races can be very expensive, so this sponsorship takes away that worry and allows us to just focus on the driving.”

Robert Forrester, Chief Executive of Bristol Street Motors, said: “This is the most souped-up Corsa I’ve seen and looks fantastic with our Bristol Street Motors and Click2Drive livery across it.

“I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to support Neil and Jack with their entry into the Roger Albert Clark Rally, and I wish them the very best of luck. It’s always a tough race, but I’m sure that Neil has built a machine worthy of the challenge, and with Jack by his side, I’m positive they will do well.”

ENDS

NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF VERTU MOTORS

CONTACT: Caroline Walker on 01325 363436

Notes to Editors

Vertu Motors plc is the fifth largest automotive retailer in the UK with a network of 154 sales outlets across the UK. Its dealerships operate predominantly under the Bristol Street Motors, Vertu Motors and Macklin Motors brand names.

Vertu Motors plc was established in November 2006 with the strategy to consolidate the UK motor retail sector. It is intended that the Group will continue to acquire motor retail operations to grow a scaled dealership group. The Group’s acquisition strategy is supplemented by a focused organic growth strategy to drive operational efficiencies through its national dealership network. The Group currently operates 150 franchised sales outlets and 4 non-franchised sales operations from locations across the UK.

Vertu’s Mission Statement is to “deliver an outstanding customer motoring experience through honesty and trust”.

Vertu Motors Group websites – www.investors.vertumotors.com / www.vertucareers.com

Vertu brand websites – www.vertumotors.com / www.bristolstreet.co.uk / www.macklinmotors.co.uk / www.vertumotorcycles.com / www.vansdirect.co.uk / www.thetaxicentre.com / www.powerbulbs.com