HiQ KETTERING MAKE SLICK RESPONSE TO SAVE RACING EVENT

Organisers of a prestigious motorsport event near Kettering are thanking a local fast fit centre for saving their skid marks, after the company answered an 11th hour call to provide tyres for a day of racing.

HiQ, based in Telford Way Industrial Estate, made a slick response to Honda Team Dynamics’ plea to fit 28 sets of tyres for a driving day with some of the nation’s biggest names in motorsport, at Rockingham race circuit.

HiQ, which was recently purchased by Easy Tyre & Autocentres Ltd, was contacted by Team Dynamics, who were in need of a specialist team to fit the slick race tyres this week.

HiQ immediately sent for mobile technician Russell Hickford, who drove the short distance to Rockingham and got in the pit lane for some fast fit action.

Team Dynamics marketing manager Richard Tate-Harris said: “We had organised a number of laps around Rockingham with racing slicks, which meant we had to find a team of fast fitters at extremely short notice to replace and fit them.

“I immediately went to HiQ, as they sponsor the British Touring Car Championship and have specialist motorsport experience. It is fair to say that they saved the day and, without them, we would have been looking at a postponement of activity.”

Emma-Jane Kisby, marketing manager for Easy Tyres, said: “We were only too keen to help out, despite receiving a call at the last moment.

“Rockingham race circuit is near to our centre, and the professional driver, Paul O’ Neill, is also form Kettering, so we were keen to support a local event, and ensure it was not in danger of postponement.”

Paul O’ Neill, who races in the British Touring Car Championship in a Honda Integra, soon put the car through its paces for a number of contacts from the world of motorsport.

He said: “We were all indebted to HiQ. The slick tyres performed really well, and I was keen to take some of the guys round in the car by way of thank you.”

HiQ Kettering, situated in Telford Way Industrial Estate, is now under the ownership of Easy Tyre & Autocentres Ltd, which specialises in all sections of the motor industry including service and MOT centres and tyre and exhaust centres.

For more information on HiQ Kettering, please call 01536 481415.

Photo Caption: HiQ Kettering’s fast fitter Russell Hickford helps Kettering BTCC driver Paul O’ Neill out with an emergency pit stop