11:35 pm, November 2, 2009
SO who’s taking part in our Bangers4BEN challenge and what are their plans for the great rally?
Here you can read about the 26 teams that took up our challenge to buy a ‘banger’ for £250 and drive it to John O’Groats for automotive industry charity BEN.
For the full details on Bangers4BEN, read this post.
But if you already know what it’s about it’s time to meet the teams:
Identifier code: CDM
Team members, job titles: James Baggott, editor; Duncan Chappell, commercial manager
Representing: The greatest automotive industry magazine in the world. Probably.
Plan of action? We don’t plan. We leave things to the last minute. Panic. Ask people to help. Then beg people to assist. And if that doesn’t work promise them lots of nice publicity in exchange for their help.
Banger must-have? Whatever we get must be works-prepared so we don’t break down and can then sell it on for as much money as possible. Simple needs for simple minds.
Identifier code: BEN
Team member: Kirsten Galvin, head of marketing; Emily Bird, press and communications executive
Representing: BEN
Plan of action? We are both really excited and as long as we make it out alive and preferably unscathed will consider that a successful mission. In all seriousness though, we want to make sure that everyone involved knows what a wonderful thing they are doing for BEN and how grateful we are.
What will you be looking for as must-haves in the Banger you’ll be buying (this will be used in the magazine and online): Air conditioning, leather interior, DVD player, revolving shoe rack, ejector seat, hot tub, butler and mini bar. Or suspension and a working engine at the very least.
3. Bluecycle Online Salvage Auctions
Identifier code: BLU
Team members, job titles: Piers Wilson, head of market development; Stuart Atkinson, marketing consultant
Representing: Bluecycle
Plan of action? Avoid breakdown recovery vans, make it back safely and enjoy the ride. We’ll be watching out for the wild Haggis and eating as many local delicacies along the way. Above all, we’re looking to raise loads of money for BEN and be the first team home!
Banger must-have? Four wheels, an engine, comfy seats and an MOT! Plenty of headroom for our big hair and room in the boot for our poor taste in cardigans.
Identifier code: SCR
Team members, job titles: Phil Huff, motorsport editor; Juliana Anderiesz
Representing: SportNetwork
Plan of action? Play fair all the way only utilising bribery, sabotage and malevolent behaviour where absolutely necessary or advantageous. And making sure we have spare fuel and oil, and a supply of spanners in the boot. A supply of body coloured duct tape is always useful.
Banger must-have? A luxurious barge with more than four cylinders is essential, and a bit of motorsport pedigree would never go amiss. Oil leaks of less than a litre per thousand miles would also be nice, but not vital.
Identifier code: GFR
Team members, job titles: Jamie Dixon, sales director; Paul Hilton, business development manager
Representing: GForces
Plan of action? We haven’t really talked about our driving strategy yet but I think it will involve plenty of coffee, music and try not to kill each other! BEN is a great charity so we’re really proud to be able to support it in this way.
Banger must-have? A decent clutch, no oil leaks, a good spare tyre, a charge point for the sat nav, a CD player and if we’re lucky, cruise control!
Identifier code: GRS
Team members, job titles: James Schofield, buyer; Julian Pullen, procurement manager
Representing: GRS
Plan of action? Pot Noodles and a travel kettle! Seriously, we’ll be taking it in turns to do the driving, while we make sure that we Tweet as much as we can. We want to keep people up-to-date with our progress as much as possible.
Banger must-have? For us, something as highly spec’d and as comfortable as possible! For BEN, we want something that’s going to be good value, reliable and provide as much money at the auction as possible
7&8. Impossible Dream 3 and Possible Dream 3 (two teams)
Identifier code: ID3 & PD3
Team members, job titles: Impossible Dream 3: Andrew Lowerson, European product planner, Gareth Dean, Pan-European product PR, Dean Hayward, European product planner.
Possible Dream 3: Vikki Hood, PR executive, Rebecca Eatwell, service programmes executive, Terry Smith, sales and business planning executive.
Representing: Honda Motor Europe & Honda UK
Plan of action? We plan to demonstrate the immortality of 1980’s Hondas, aided by Radweld, gaffa tape and heroic optimism. We’ll adopt a smooth and steady driving style to ease the load on our ‘previously enjoyed’ Hondas. Given that the brakes haven’t been serviced since about 1995, we don’t really have a choice in the matter…
Banger must-have? A distinctive, wedge-shaped design married to class-leading performance, handling and accommodation. Not to forget a blown exhaust, superficial rust and large quantities of cat-hair.
Identifier code: HYR
Team members, job titles: Mike Askew, director; Tom Barnard, PR manager
Representing: Laika Creative and Hyundai UK
Plan of action? Hyundai has had a spectacularly successful year, so we thought we deserved a little luxury to celebrate. We’re pretty sure we will be the most comfortable while we wait for the RAC on the hard shoulder.
Banger must-have? We knew the car we wanted, but left it until the last minute to make a purchase because this particular model is very sought after and rare. We kept missing them and had to take what was available!
Identifier code: BGM
Team members, job titles: Malcolm Greig, MD; Garry Hammond, aftersales director
Representing: Ben Greig Motors
Plan of action? As a Vauxhall Repairer banger must be a Vauxhall. Take company credit card to cover expected breakdowns and co-driver with years of experience maintaining Vauxhalls. Make sure we keep our sense of humour as and when things go wrong.
Banger must-have? Four wheels, an engine and working CD player for the road trip soundtrack. Also the trader’s holy grail of non-existent trade value and great retail potential.
Identifier code: MVW
Team members, job titles: James Sawyer, technician; Nick Woolley, aftersales
Representing: Marshall Welwyn Garden City
Plan of action? The plan is to make it to the start line first of all. And then, reach the finish line. The bit in between will be a lot of luck.
Banger must-have? A good sound system, heating, plenty of room in the back to relax and sleep if not driving and lots and lots of cup holders. Most importantly it needs a tow rope, lots of water, oil and Radweld.
Identifier code: MTM
Team members, job titles: Andrew Kurland and Michael Westwood, technicians
Representing: Marshall of Knebworth
Plan of action? Power and Red Bull.
Banger must-have? 5* EuroNCAP crash test rating, 500bhp, turbos, dump valve, wheels and a nice comfy seat. It may also be useful to have room in the boot for a bodybag…
Identifier code: CJD (hence the team name = Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge)
Team members, job titles: Ian Andrews, service driver; Luigi De Luca, tyre bay manager
Representing: Marshall Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge
Plan of action? Beg borrow and steal our way through the three days and hopefully make it through the rally while raising as much money for BEN as possible. Oh, and we plan to have a cracking time.
Banger must-have? Obvious qualities such as reliability and comfort wouldn’t go amiss. Also something we’ll be able to sell at auction. Plan to call the car ‘Flattery’ as she’ll probably get us nowhere!
Identifier code: PTO
Team members, job titles: Richard Toyne, workshop controller; Neil Henderson, IT manager
Representing: Pentagon Toyota
Plan of action? We intend to wake early in the morning, allowing ourselves two hours to start our banger. Then it’s onwards on our long journey. Naturally we’ll need lots of fuel for such a long journey…crisps, chocolate and fizzy energy drinks should do the trick!
Banger must-have? Reliability is the essential attribute our banger must have so naturally there was only one choice available – a Toyota! It must be reliabile, have a hard-working engine and comfort. Four wheels is a bonus.
Identifier code: RGD
Team members, job titles: Dave Timmis, MD; Richard Lawton, marketing and PR manager
Representing: Really Good Domains Ltd
Plan of action? Steely eyed determination and indomitable spirit are just two of the key strengths that the RGD team will hope to bring to the event – that and an ‘egged’ up car! Plenty of coffee will also be on the plan of action – somewhere.
Banger must-have? An engine, at least four wheels, working windscreen wipers to clear the snows of northern Scotland, and mostly important of all two cup holders. Something with a bit of style, panache and road presence would also be nice.
Identifier code: AFT
Team members, job titles: Nick Bellamy, sales manager; Steve Gordon, company accountant; Mark Upton, senior support technician (following in company van just in case)!
Representing: Sandwell Garages Ltd
Plan of action? To get through this epic journey with the least amount of trouble and the maximum amount of fun. We promise to strictly observe all the rules of the highway code. Yeah right! And we want to raise as much money as possible for BEN.
Banger must-have? Must be capable of 0-60 (the time it takes to get there is unimportant), a wireless would be nice, tax and MOT would be handy and a heater that works would top it all off.
18&19. Shine!® & SMART Repair Cover
Identifier code: WAX & SRC
Team members, job titles: Paul Normyle, MD; Jo Normyle, opps director
Representing: Shine!®
Plan of action? This is the second run out for Team Shine!® this year, (European Cannon Ball in July), that experience should prove to be the perfect warm up for this, the ultimate road trip challenge of ‘scrappage scheme dodgers’.
Banger must-have? Any road trip deserves a suitable ‘road trip bag’ consisting of essential items to draw upon in an emergency 1. Pro Plus, 2. Red Bull, 3. Pringles 4. RAC card and finally, 5. A copy of Car Dealer to read while we wait!
Identifier code: TGB
Team members, job titles: Scott Brownlee, general manager press and public affairs; Christian Skelton, Scott’s stepson
Representing: Toyota
Plan of action? Not to get wet or cold
Banger must-have? A working cassette player.
Identifier code: TTT
Team members, job titles: Daniel Taylor, assistant sales manager; Craig Lacey, general sales manager
Representing: Inchcape Toyota Guildford
Plan of action? Not to get lost. Live to the end as Daniel is getting married a week later.
Banger must-have? Cheap, unreliability and bad looks.
Identifier code: UCE
Team members, job titles: Matt Tumbridge, editor and publisher; James Ruppert, columnist and Bangernomics Guru
Representing: Used Car Expert
Plan of action? Team Used Car Expert intend to drive smoothly and carefully, coaxing our ‘banger’ up and down the UK with a gentle touch, ensuring it is in excellent condition for its next owner, who will doubtlessly spend thousands on it at auction. Such an owner will also want to know the car has pedigree, so we will also absolutely thrash the nuts off it round the race track.
Banger must-have? Cruise control, full leather, electric seats, auto boot opening, automatic gearbox, electric windows, electric mirrors and gravitas.
Identifier code: WMS
Team members, job titles: Eric Stone, sales director; Mark Laws, senior area manager
Representing: Warranty Management Services
Plan of action? We intend to use every gear we have available to get to John O’Groats. 1-2-3-4-5 and reverse but not necessarily in that order. We will use Sat-Nag device with our wives’ voices giving instructions to stop us getting homesick. Lastly we intend to drive on the LHS of the road to avoid accidents.
Banger must-have? Preferably four wheels and at least one seat for driver. Perhaps a windscreen and drag anchor for emergency stops. Starting handle, eight-track stereo fluffy dice and nodding dog essential and of course a fully comprehensive Warranty Management Services used vehicle warranty to cover mechanical breakdown!
Identifier code: PAQ
Team members, job titles: Chris Ryu, marketing specialist; Mark Whittam, valeter
Representing: Poole Audi
Plan of action? I figure that the key to success is all about finding the right car. If we find the right car from the outset then the journey is sure to be much easier. So, when making the drive in our ultra-reliable machine the only thing we will have to worry about, is how towing our competition is going to affect our fuel economy!
Banger must-have? Well, being an Audi dealer we really needed to buy an Audi. Our £250 ‘banger’ will not only be representing Poole Audi, but the entire Audi brand and so our choice has to be reliable, it has to look great and have a better resale value that what we paid, so that we can raise as much money for BEN as possible.
Identifier code: BOO
Team members, job titles: Ryan Purchon, service driver/valeter; Andy Baker, technician
Representing: Marshall Honda of Hull
Plan of action? Fast and Furious mark II, version 1.2a to scale – on a good day.
Banger must-have? It starts and stops, oh and goes. Windows that open. Some top trumps in the glovebox. V12. Curb appeal. Not a lot really.
Identifier code: MLR
Team members, job titles: Alan Ryan; Mick Maxwell, technicians
Representing: Marshall Land Rover of Cambridge
Plan of action? Slow and steady and to drive over things if they get in the way.
Banger must-have? High driving position, huge turning circle, no power steering, driving seat offset to the right, max speed 51mph, 0-51 time of more than 25 seconds.
Identifier code: DDD
Team members, job titles: Danny Densham, technician; David Hewick, master technician
Representing: Marshall Peugeot of Peterborough
Plan of action? To actually finish and to do it in style!
Banger must-have? Loud and proud. Five star luxury.
You can also follow the rally’s developments in our dedicated Bangers4BEN section on this website or follow the Twitter feed from all the participants here.
