Vertu Motors

Ronan Pearson has been given a boost in his quest to secure the Jack Sears Trophy after Macklin Motors increased its support for the young Scot on the back of an impressive weekend at Knockhill.

The 21-year-old enjoyed the best weekend of his rookie campaign in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at his local circuit, powering his BRISTOL STREET MOTORS with EXCELR8-run Hyundai i30 Fastback N to a hat-trick of top-seven finishes.

That included a career-best fourth in treacherous wet conditions in the final race, with his results across the three races seeing Ronan emerge from the weekend as the highest-scoring Jack Sears Trophy driver, earning him a trip to the podium.

Ronan’s rookie season has seen him proudly flying the flag for Macklin Motors, a motor retail brand that is part of the same group as EXCELR8 title sponsor Bristol Street Motors, and which operates a total of 19 dealerships across Scotland.

The relationship with Macklin Motors has proven pivotal in Ronan’s season to date, and is one of two major partnerships in place with Scottish brands, with Saltire Energy having also come onboard to back the rising star on his graduation to the leading series in British motorsport.

UK manufacturer of touch-free identification systems Identec also joined Ronan’s partner portfolio prior to the Knockhill meeting in a deal running to the end of the campaign.

With three rounds left to run in his rookie season, Ronan has closed to within 44 points of the Jack Sears Trophy lead, with a maximum of 180 points still available across the nine remaining races.

Ronan’s JST campaign now heads for Donington Park for the first BTCC event on the full Grand Prix layout in 20 years, with the additional support from Macklin Motors set to be reflected in a slightly revised livery on the #14 Hyundai.

"It’s been great to have the support of the whole team at Macklin Motors over the course of the season, and the results at Knockhill really showed the progress we’ve made," he said.

"Having shown that I can race towards the front of the pack and had a taste of what it feels like to lead a race in the BTCC, I’m looking forward to the final three rounds of the season, and trying to fight for the Jack Sears Trophy alongside Macklin Motors and all of my other sponsors."

Robert Forrester, Chief Executive of Macklin Motors, said: “We are pleased to work with Ronan and delighted with his Knockhill success.

“He is a young driver at the start of his racing career and as a major sponsor it is important that we support him not only financially, but with providing help and guidance to enable him to engage with other organisations, and increase his profile in the racing industry.

“Good luck, Ronan, for the remaining races of the season!”

ENDS

NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF VERTU MOTORS

CONTACT: Caroline Walker on 01325 363436

About Vertu Motors

Vertu Motors is the third largest automotive retailer in the UK with a network of 190 sales outlets across the UK. Its dealerships operate predominantly under the Bristol Street Motors, Vertu and Macklin Motors brand names.

Vertu Motors 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 186 franchised sales outlets and 4 non-franchised sales operations from 140 locations across the UK.

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