Motoscape in the Press

An Epic Journey in a £333 Car!

Michael & Michelle Cook, Parish Magazine
August 2012

Chef and painter finish 2,900 mile banger rally

Daniel Darlington, Maidenhead Advertiser
September 18, 2012

A chef and an artist have put the pedal to the metal in a rusty old Volvo to complete the Motoscape 2012 banger rally challenge.

John Sinnerton, 50, and his brother-in-law artist Steve Batty, raced across Europe from France to Prague, travelling through 12 countries from September 1-7.

They took the Volvo 280ES for a 'frightening' spin around the Nürburgring in Germany, visited the home of Ferrari in Maranello, Italy. They broke down crossing the highest mountain pass in Europe and savoured the delights of the Koblenz Wine Festival in Germany.

Their trusty red banger, bought for less than £300, covered 2,900 miles in sweltering temperatures, but had enough juice in the tank to make it to Prague and back to Ruscombe.

"It was a really great experience," said John, who is a chef at Buratta's at the Royal Oak.

"The car was excellent despite having a little problem on the Stelvio pass where we had to roll down the mountain to a car park and call a mechanic to come and fix it.

"Driving to Venice was great because I have never been there and Prague was lovely too."

The Art of Cooking team raised £3,000 which will be split between the Twyford bereavement support charity Daisy's Dream and the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

Steve's mum and dad both died from heart problems early in life.

Copies of John's cookbook 'The Berkshire Book to Become a Good Cook’ have also been sold to raise money for the charities.

Visit http://www.artofcookingbangerrally2012.blogspot.co.uk/ for details.

Link to Original Article:
http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/Lifestyle/Restaurants-Bars-and-Pubs/Chef-and-painter-finish-2900-mile-banger-rally-18092012.htm

Monte Carlo or bust? Definitely not!

Pilgrims Hospice
September 10, 2012

Ed Debrett and Matt Brooks from Boon Edam, Ashford set off last week on the Motoscape Rally. Not quite Monte Carlo or bust, rather Prague and profits for Pilgrims Hospices. They raised over £500 which they presented to Pilgrims this week.

On Tuesday 1st September, starting from St Omer in France, the pair drove through ten countries in seven days, visiting some fantastic places such as the Nurburgring, Stelvio Pass, the Lamborghini and Ferrari museums and many other interesting sites. They finally returned home on the 9th September.

Ed said, “We took part in the Pilgrims Great Escape last year and had a blast. This road trip looked to be great fun too. And it certainly was. We had a fabulous time, drove thousands of miles and made many new friends. We were lucky enough to be able to buy a car from KAP Ashford at a huge knock down price and this has had the Pilgrims Logo emblazoned on it, so it was a fabulous opportunity to raise awareness of Pilgrims Hospices as well as raising money.

“My boss from Boon Edam died a couple of years ago in the Ashford hospice and the care he received was fabulous. I can’t think of a better way of remembering him than by having such fun!”

Nigel Donkin, regional fundraising manager said, “Ed and Matt clearly had a wonderful time travelling through so many countries. The awareness they raised for the hospice movement abroad is fabulous. We look forward to their next great adventure.

“Unlike cancer provision in many of the countries they travelled through, the hospices here are able to offer care free of charge for patients and families due to the support of local communities”.

Link to Original Article:
http://www.pilgrimshospices.org/news/monte-carlo-or-bust-definitely-not/

Regan Ready to Rally for Charity

raf.mod.uk
August 29, 2012

An Air Cadet from Hampshire is set to take part in one of Europe’s most gruelling rally events in a bid to raise money for the Royal Air Force’s Association (RAFA).

Cadet Warrant Officer Regan Hawthorn, a member of 1927 (Petersfield) Squadron will be competing in the Motoscape Rally 2012 – an event which takes in an incredible ‘7 countries in 5 days’. The Rally, which starts in France and ends in Italy will begin on 1st September 2012 and Regan and is already raring to go.

He said: “Along with the rest of our team I will be helping raise money for RAFA and Action Duchenne – a charity which supports Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - a severe and progressive muscle wasting disease for which there is no cure.

“They are both great causes and all we ask is for members of the Air Cadet Organisation to like us on Facebook and Twitter to show their support. Along the way we will be providing updates as we get closer to the start line.”

To find out more about CWO Hawthorn’s worthy challenge, please visit:

http://www.Facebook.com/RAFADuchenne
http://twitter.com/RAFADuchenne

Link to Original Article:
http://www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/newsandevents/index.cfm?topic=1C52325B-F6AD-6C90-D1AD0277EBE01144&storyid=76D16B73-5056-A318-A8D50CF44B65CE53

Crewe duo embark on Banger Rally (Article 1)

Matthew Taylor, Crewe Guardian
August 24, 2012

A DUO from Crewe plan to drive across Europe, covering 12 countries in 7 days, in a 17-year-old car bought for just £333.

Greg Bolshaw and friend Nigel Hulse will set off on their 3,000 mile journey on Saturday, September 1.

They are taking part in the Motoscape Banger Rally to raise funds for their chosen charity, Action Medical Research, a UK-wide medical research charity dedicated to helping babies and children.

“Friends of mine sadly lost their newborn son, Grayson, to a disease called Necrotising Enterocolitis. He was only 7 days old”, explained Nigel. “As a tribute, we have decided to name our team in his memory.”

Team Grayson has so far raised over £3,000. Greg and Nigel are funding the rally themselves to ensure that 100 per cent of the money raised goes to charity.

The rally starts in Saint-Omer, France and takes in Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary and Austria en route to the finish line in Prague, Czech Republic.

The two friends will then drive a further 1,000 miles home, as they intend to auction the car when they get back and donate the proceeds to the charity.

“We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received from local businesses and national companies alike. We are extremely grateful to everyone who has sponsored us so far,” said Greg.

He added: “Grosvenor Garage, Crewe has serviced, MOT’d and prepared the car for the rally free of charge.

“Autoglass has replaced our cracked windscreen and donated £500, and local etyres franchisee, Christian Jones, has donated a new tyre.”

You can follow Team Grayson’s progress at www.facebook.com/TeamGraysonRally

To donate: www.action.org.uk/sponsor/TeamGraysonRally

Link to Original Article:
http://www.creweguardian.co.uk/news/9888123.Crewe_duo_
embark_on_Banger_rally/

Crewe team take on 3,000 mile charity rally (Article 2)

Rhiannon Cooke, Crewe Chronicle
August 22, 2012

TWO kind-hearted friends are travelling more than 3,000 miles across Europe to raise funds for a charity close to their hearts.

On September 1, Crewe resident Greg Bolshaw and friend Nigel Hulse, both 29, will set off in a 17-year-old car – bought for just £333 – to take part in the Motoscape Banger Rally.

The friends will cover 12 countries in seven days to raise funds for Action Medical Research, a UK-wide medical research charity dedicated to helping babies and children.

“Friends of mine sadly lost their newborn son, Grayson, to a disease called necrotising enterocolitis. He was only seven days old,” said Nigel. “As a tribute, we have decided to name our team in his memory.”

Team Grayson has so far raised more than £3,000. Greg and Nigel are funding the rally themselves so that 100% of the money raised goes to charity.

The rally starts in Saint-Omer in France and takes in Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary and Austria en route to the finish in Prague, Czech Republic.

The two friends will then drive a further 1,000 miles home, as they intend to auction the car when they get back and donate the proceeds.

“We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received from local businesses and national companies alike,” said Greg.

“Grosvenor Garage in Crewe has serviced, MOT’d and prepared the car for the rally free of charge. Autoglass has replaced our cracked windscreen and donated £500 and local tyres franchisee Christian Jones has donated a new tyre. We’re also extremely grateful to everyone who’s sponsored us.”

To follow Team Grayson’s progress visit www.facebook.com/TeamGraysonRally or visit www.action.org.uk/sponsor/TeamGraysonRally to make a donation.

Link to Original Article:
http://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/crewe-news/local-crewe-news/2012/08/22/crewe-team-take-on-3-000-mile-charity-rally-96135-31668588/

10 countries, 7 days, 3,500 miles - in a Porsche

Roger Ogle, Link Magazine
August 13, 2012

Two friends, Ian Cook (left) and Ian Johnston (right), decided to take part in the Motoscape Road Trip to Prague in September.

Ian Cook works for an IT company call Quicksilva and Ian Jonhston works for Three Castles Brewery. They have known each other since primary school and are now both family men and living in North Swindon. They both like cars and one night over a beer just started talking and decided this would be a good idea - the rally is organised through http://www.motoscape-rally.co.uk/

Their chosen charity “Excalibur Unit" was established in 2008 and aims to help with supporting the many returning soldiers from war torn countries who have witnessed horrific scenes in the course of their duties. They also aim to help with aftercare services for military personnel and their families.

More info can be found at http://www.excaliburunit.org.uk

They will be visiting 10 countries (France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany (stopping at the Nurburgring), Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, Czech Republic) in 7 days during the 3,500 mile rally in a 1982 Porsche 924 Lux.

For more information and to find out how you can help them with their fundraising effort, go to their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Martini-Boys/237925369593595

Link to Original Article:
http://www.swindonlink.com/news/10-countries-7-days-3500-miles---in-a-porsche

Students and lecturers complete 3250-mile trek in a wreck

Sue Gyford, The Scotsman
November 9, 2011

BREAKING down before they had even crossed the Channel was not the best of starts to their gruelling challenge.

But the team of students hoping to make it all the way to Italy in a clapped-out 21-year-old Nissan Bluebird had few worries – after all, they were more than clued up on the complexities of car mechanics.

The team, comprising students and lecturers from West Lothian College – all part of the third-year City and Guilds Motor Mechanics class – had been gearing up for the task since March when they first set eyes on the car they dreamed would see them complete the 3250-mile “banger rally”.

Lecturer Robert Drummond said: “It was lucky there were so many mechanics in the car as we had a tyre blow out in the outside lane of the M25 as we made our way down to catch the cross-channel ferry. We were only 50 miles outside Dover but after stopping to repair the tyre it was a race against time to get to the quayside. We made it though.”

Mr Drummond was joined on the mission by fellow lecturer Ewan McAdam and students Conor Barton and David Reid on the Motoscape Banger Rally, travelling from St Omer in northern France to Bologna in Italy.

The challenge was the culmination of a project which began with getting the vehicle ready for the road, before the four-man team finally left Livingston last month.

Mr Drummond said: “The students serviced it all and got the car through its MOT. There were some last-minute repairs as the cylinder head gasket was replaced the week before we left.”

The men crossed France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Belgium in the space of just five days. Despite the hectic race pace, they also dropped in for visits to the Nurburgring race track, the Ferrari, Lamborghini and Ducati museums and took a drive along the Stelvio Pass in the Alps.

Mr Barton said: “It was really good to see the different countries and cultures. We had been working collaboratively with Cumbernauld College and they also had a team in the rally. At the beginning we didn’t know any of the other competitors, but by the end of the week they were all friends. We would meet up at night and swap stories on which route they’d taken and the fantastic places they’d seen. I’ll never forget it. I’ve already put my name down for next year.”

A well as completing the challenge – a non-competitive race – the team also won an award from the Institute of the Motor Industry at an awards ceremony last Thursday, in recognition of the college’s contribution to developing skills in the Scottish automotive workforce.

Many local businesses who donated time, equipment and money to allow the team to take part in the rally, including the RCA MOT Centre in Stoneyburn, Starting Grid in West Calder, Neill Technical Services in Livingston and All Signs Scotland.

West Lothian College principal Mhairi Laughlin said: “This is another fantastic example of Curriculum for Excellence in action and integrated working between the college and the wider community.

“I’m delighted everything came together to create this extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime experience for these young people. The team effort that went into putting this together was phenomenal.”

Link to Original Article:
http://www.scotsman.com/news/students-and-lecturers-complete-3250-mile-trek-in-a-wreck-1-1955582

Where’s Wally? On the charity road to Prague

Katherine Vine, Stockport Express, August 10, 2011

A right pair of Wally's will be turning heads on the road to Prague. Father and daughter team Paul and Sarah Olma will be dressing up in stripy tops and glasses for a 2,000-banger race in homage to the famous children’s book.

Even their old Rover 400 car has been decorated with the famous Where’s Wally red and white stripes.

Sarah, 27, and Paul, 55, will be raising cash for two charities during the challenge, which will see them heading for the Czech Republic from their Marple home.

Sarah said: "I got the idea for the theme when I saw some people do a similar thing at V Festival and thought it would fit in well with a trip across Europe.

"It is something I had always wanted to do and my dad likes cars so when I said I was going to do it he decided he was going to tag along."

Even a major set-back hasn’t prevented Sarah from fulfilling her ambition to take part in next month’s Motoscape Banger Rally

"We started planning at the beginning of the year, and then with only seven weeks to go the car someone had donated to us, which we had spent money on, failed its MOT and had to be scrapped," she explained.

"We had to make a decision as to whether to give up or find a new banger.

"We decided to put all our energy into finding a new car so we were very relieved when we found one. We have called it Wall Mark Two!"

The pair will raise money for the homelessness charity The Wellspring and children’s cause Starlight during the seven-day race, which starts at St Omer in France.

To make a donation visit www.justgiving.com/Wallys-Starlight or www.justgiving.com/Wallys-Wellspring.

Link to Original Article:
http://menmedia.co.uk/stockportexpress/news/s/1455232_wheres-wally-on-the-charity-road-to-prague

Intrepid driving duo takes on £250 banger challenge

This is Dorset (Western Gazette, North Dorset), Thursday, July 14, 2011

A PAIR of intrepid motorists are to take on some of the toughest roads in Europe in a £250 banger they bought on the auction website eBay.

The two friends, Rob Girling, 39, a project manager at Agusta Westland in Yeovil and Nigel Parker, 45, of Adber in Dorset, who runs his own mobile cocktail business, will embark on the 2,000-mile road trip in September.

Before they can set off, they have to carry out major repairs to the Volkswagen Passat which they bought with no MOT or tax.

They hope to take the car, which has 140,000 miles on the clock, around the Nurburgring race circuit in Germany as they join 60 other teams on the banger rally challenge.

Starting from Yeovil, their route will take them through six countries in six days, travelling as a far as Bologna in northern Italy, before driving home through France.

The pair were inspired to take up the challenge after two of their friends were diagnosed with terminal cancer.

The two aim to raise £5,000 for Cancer Research UK from their effort. As part of their fundraising, they are inviting people to sign the car in return for a donation.

The first person to sign the car was two-times British Touring Car champion Jason Plato, who they met at Thruxton race circuit last month.

The car will be on display at venues around Yeovil in the coming weeks, giving people the chance to sign the vehicle.

On Sunday it will be at Ilchester street fair, and on Wednesday lunchtime outside the office of South Somerset District Council. It will also be on display at the bandstand in Middle Street on Saturday, July 30 and at Haynes motor museum, Sparkford, on Saturday, August 13, and August 29, Bank Holiday Monday.

The pair have set up a Facebook site to report on their trip and are appealing for donations through www.justgiving.com/mojito-motos.

Link to Original Article:
http://www.thisisdorset.co.uk/Intrepid-driving-duo-takes-pound-250-banger/story-12938617-detail/story.html

Jan's Euro road trip in souped-up banger

This is Leicestershire (Leicester Mercury), Saturday, August 27, 2011

A car enthusiast will drive an "old banger" he lovingly restored across seven countries in seven days to raise money for charity.

Jan Olsson is taking part in the Motoscape Rally in a Toyota MR2 T-Bar he bought for £190.

The 39-year-old sets off from France on his European tour and will travel through Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland before arriving in the Czech capital, Prague, a week later.

Jan, who lives in West End, Leicester, said: "I've spent eight months getting it roadworthy. I've always tinkered with cars and have replaced everything that needs to be replaced, down to the last nut, so I'm confident it will make it."

He is raising cash for cancer charity Macmillan via sponsorship and bucket collections.

Jan, who sits behind the wheel of much larger vehicles for his job as an HGV driver, added: "I'm used to driving on my own, but now I'll get the chance to take in the scenery."

To sponsor Jan visit: www.justgiving.com/Jan-Olsson

Link to Original Article:
http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Jan-s-Euro-road-trip-souped-banger/story-13215602-detail/story.html

Shropshire family to take part in charity road trip

Shropshire Live, August 3, 2011

A Shropshire family is set to take part in a road trip around Europe next month in aid of two charities close to their hearts.

Brothers Gareth and Matthew Peate along with Matthew’s fiancé Toni Kilvert will be taking part in the 3,000 mile trip around Europe next month raising money for Severn Hospice and Cancer Research UK.

Matthew and Gareth lost their Dad Stephen to cancer in May of this year, Toni lost her Mum Jenny to the same disease last year. Together they are hoping to raise money for both organisations that helped them through the recent difficult times.

The four-day road trip starts at St Omer near Calais on Saturday 3rd September, finishing in Bologna, northern Italy, on Wednesday 7th which is organised by Motoscape UK with 60 teams taking part.

From Bologna the three are taking their own further five day tour covering over 1,800 miles through France before returning home on Sunday 11th.

The trip will take the team travelling in Matthews BMW 3-series nine days in total, covering nearly 3,000 miles and passing through nine countries including the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein, Italy and Monte Carlo. The team will also be calling in at five racing circuits Spa Francorchamps, The Nurburgring, Hockenheim, Monte Carlo and Le Mans.

In the run up to the road trip the team will be taking part in the Severn Hospice Classic Car Rally on Sunday 21st August.

For more information about the team, news updates or to sponsor them visit http://bolognaandback.wordpress.com

Link to Original Article:
http://www.shropshirelive.com/2011/08/03/shropshire-family-to-take-part-in-charity-road-trip/

Pals join Euro 'banger' rally for cancer cause

Crewe and Nantwich Guardian, 21st August 2011

A SENIOR Christies manager, from Crewe, is hoping to drive-up support for the world-leading cancer centre.

Ian Moston, 44 and director of finance at The Christie, will set out on 200-mile drive across Europe, in September, in a bid to raise much needed funds for the hospital.

Jenny Haskey, fundraiser for The Christie, said: “The rally sounds exciting but very gruelling so we can’t thank Ian and his friends enough for taking on the challenge.

“The money raised from the sponsorship packages will help support our quest to make cancer a thing of the past.”

The route, called the Motoscape Rally, will see Ian and pals, John Wiss, 43, and Owen Hussey, 44, wind their way through seven countries including France, Germany and Switzerland, and take on the giant Stelvio Pass in Italy, before finishing the gruelling drive in Prague.

Described as the ‘ultimate banger rally experience’ the rules state that participants must buy a ‘banger’ for no more than £250.

Having purchased a 1995 Mercedes 220 for £250 for the rally, the trio are now offering local businesses the chance to advertise their logo on the car, with proceeds from the sponsorship going to The Christie.

Ian, who has been a dedicated supporter of the charity since joining The Christie five years ago, said: “I’m really looking forward to the rally and am hoping to raise as much as I can for The Christie.

“Every year we treat 40,000 patients and constantly research new and effective ways to treat cancer.

“Being able to contribute to this process in both a professional and personal capacity is a big honour.”

There are various sponsorship opportunities available for businesses.

For more information contact Jenny Haskey, head of corporate fundraising at sporting events at the Christie, on 0161 446 3424 or email jenny.haskey@christie.nhs.uk.

If you would like to sponsor Ian and his friends for the car rally, please visit www.justgiving.com/The-3-Musketeers.

Link to Original Article:
Vist the Crewe Guardian Website