The UK’s first Highway Heroes have received public recognition and some Goodyear tyres. During April and May, Goodyear invited nominations via LinkedIn for deserving commercial operatives, with one winner chosen each month to receive a brand-new set of premium tyres for their personal vehicle.
Pirelli named BMTR Pirelli Performance Centre (PPC) of the year for the second year running after the firm achieved the best score on the final audit of 2013. The annual award was inaugurated in 2007 to commemorate the efforts of the company’s Performance Centres across the country and this year six depots were in the running for the title.
Pirelli UK has formally presented BMTR with its annual Performance Centre of the Year Award at a presentation at its flagship outlet. The presentation took place on Tuesday 26 February at BMTR’s Perry Barr, Birmingham outlet following a tour of the depot and warehouse. In attendance at the presentation was Pirelli UK managing director, Dominic Sandivasci, as well as Pirelli UK’s marketing and sales directors, Wayne Nickless and Jason Sugden.
Former NTDA president and BMTR chairman Don Smith died recently at the age of 89.
Don Smith’s long and influential tyre career began after the war, when he took over the running of the family business – Birmingham Motor Tyre Repository, one of the longest established tyre businesses in the country – from his father, J. J. Smith. He was a staunch supporter of the NTDA, and was the association’s president in 1969. Later he was appointed an honorary member and also served as a trustee of the association in the early nineties.
30 Goodride dealers saw the brand-supported Total Control Racing team driver Rob Smith continue his steep AirAsia Renault UK Clio Cup learning curve at Donington Park on 14-15 April. BMTR, Grouptyre and Goodride Performance Tyres were in the BMTR hospitality suite at the circuit. While Smith, a Loughborough University student, finished 17th in each race, Grouptyre says its guests found that the additional involvement of having a car and driver to support added to the experience.
The British Racing and Sports Car Club has chosen Avon Tyres to supply tyres to both of its Formula Ford 1600 Championships for the next three years, and will also support the club to help it promote its showpiece event – the Formula Ford Festival. “Naturally, we’re delighted to have secured the agreement to supply FF1600 for another three years,” said Paul Coates, general manager, Avon Tyres Motorsport. “We’re very keen to work with the BRSCC on further initiatives to secure the long-term future of FF1600.”
It’s official, Hawleys Tyres Ltd Company is the oldest independent tyre dealer in the UK. And in recognition of the company’s prestigious position as the nation’s longest established tyre dealership, Tyres & Accessories today awarded Martin Hawley and directors Tim and Simon Hawley with a certificate marking the achievement and a case of wine. The prize was presented by Pirelli Tyre UK managing director Dominic Sandivasci, who presented the 12 bottles of prestigious Pirelli P Zero red wine to the Hawleys.
Although recent years have been challenging for the UK automotive industry, Birmingham remains a city steeped in automotive heritage. And, in the midst of some high profile casualties in recent years, BMTR says it is going from strength to strength and this year celebrates its 90th anniversary. The company clearly has some history, but is it the oldest in Britain? In order to find out, and in celebration of BMTR’s 90th anniversary, Pirelli Tyres UK exclusively through Tyres & Accessories is offering a case (that’s 12 bottles) of fine wine to any tyre dealer or wholesaler that can prove they are the oldest in the business.
Dave Molyneux’s Avon shod Suzuki has given the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer its very first three-wheeled victory at the Isle of Man TT. Molyneux and passenger Daniel Sayle’s victory with A&J Racing Suzuki brings Molyneux’s TT win tally to 14, and marks the 20th anniversary of his first victory on the island.
“The Avons worked brilliantly and were a pleasure to use,” Molyneux commented. “I was delighted to use Avons this year, as I’ve not used them since 1993 when I won on them. In fact my first race win at the TT in 1989 was on Avons too!
Isle of Man sidecar legend Dave Molyneux recently took his tally of Isle of Man TT victories to 14, with the assistance of some Avon tyres. Molyneux and passenger Daniel Sayle took Suzuki’s first three-wheeled victory ever on the Island. The victory on his A&J Racing Suzuki outfit also marked 20 years since Molyneux’s first sidecar victory on the island back in 1989.
The Manxman said: “The Avons worked brilliantly and were a pleasure to use. I was delighted to use Avons this year, as I’ve not used them since 1993 when I won on them. In fact my first race win at the TT in 1989 was on Avons too! The guys at BMTR put together the tyres and we picked some good compounds. It was a hard race, but we achieved what we set out to do. We had some trouble with the engine tuning but we ended up doing things ourselves, and it held together so it’s nice that we also managed to be the first bike to complete the race distance in under 59 minutes with laps over 115mph: we’re happy with that!”
Birmingham Motor Tyres (BMTR) has been named as the overall winner of Bridgestone’s First Stop Business Development Programme, which recognises outstanding achievement by First Stop dealerships across the UK.
The dealership, which has two retail outlets in the Midlands, was judged on a number of criteria including performance in tyre safety checks, the appearance of staff, workshop and reception areas, alongside staff expertise and training. The dealership scored particularly highly on customer service and was announced as the overall ‘Centre of Excellence’ title winner, receiving a complete refurbishment of the Coleshill site’s reception area and gift vouchers for the employees.
Bridgestone UK has unveiled 17 Centres of Excellence as part of a new reward scheme for its national First Stop network of independent tyre dealerships. The First Stop Quality Program replaces the Stars initiative. Instead of being rated as three, four or five star outlets, businesses can now qualify as Accredited Centres or Centres of Excellence. The Program covers areas such as depot appearance, staff training, telephone technique and public relations, with the top performing outlets eligible for new First Stop signage, certificates, a crystal trophy and shopping vouchers. The 2008 Quality Program is scheduled to get underway in March.
Birmingham based tyre wholesaler and distributor BMTR Group has announced the appointment of Gary Hickman as director and general manager. Mr Hickman will be based at the group’s Perry Barr site.
City First; Goodyear