BTCC STAR RACES INTO HOPWOOD SERVICES

British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) race ace, Tom Onslow-Cole, will be star of the show next week as Autogas Limited marks the availability of LPG at Hopwood Services. Visitors to the event will be in with the chance of winning two VIP tickets for a BTCC race meeting during the 2012 season.

Representatives from Autogas, the UK’s leading Liquefied Petroleum gas (LPG) supplier, will be hosting the event at Hopwood Services from 10am to 2pm on Saturday 26^th November.

Tom, who has recently converted his Range Rover Sport to run on LPG, will join the team from 10 am -12 noon giving away Autogas merchandise to visitors to the event. Motorists filling up with LPG on the forecourt during the event will benefit from a £5 fuel voucher for LPG purchases over 35 litres.

Commenting on the event Autogas general manager, Jem Aldridge, says “Fuel prices are hot on the agenda at the moment and motorists are looking for ways to save money on their fuel and motoring costs.

“Every penny counts and Autogas LPG offers a significant saving without the compromises and anxiety associated with other ‘alternative’ fuel types. In fact, it can help motorists cut fuel costs by up to 40 per cent.”

The company’s Business Development Manager, Paul Oxford adds: “At a time of ever increasing petrol and diesel prices, LPG cannot be ignored as an alternative. It currently retails at an average price of 73.9 pence per litre, compared to 133.7 ppl for petrol and 140.9 ppl for diesel*.”

Liquefied Petroleum Gas, or LPG, has an established and easily accessible refuelling network and is available from 1,400 public refuelling points up and down the country including eight sites in the West Midlands; with the majority of Autogas Limited LPG refuelling sites being located on Shell forecourts on motorways and major trunk roads, allowing drivers to benefit from all the normal forecourt facilities including fuel card payments.

Paul Oxford adds: “What drivers really like is the fact that it’s the same as driving a petrol car with no compromise on vehicle range and performance. With over 10% of UK forecourts now retailing autogas drivers don’t have to go out of their way to refuel. In fact to make life easier we provide a free to download satnav site locator on our website’’

ENDS

* Prices taken from www.petrolprices.com, 15 November 2011

Issued on behalf of Autogas by Connect PR

For further information, please contact Kathy Hodson

Connect PR, The Chubb Building, Fryer Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1HT

Tel: 01902 714957 / 07890 381725

Email: Kathy@connect-group.com

HiQ tickled pink by Silverstone supporters' generosity

The HiQ fast fit network is well and truly tickled pink with fans of the Dunlop British Touring Car Championship, whose clamour for official memorabilia helped raise £6,000 for Breast Cancer Care.

For the third time this season, the Teams’ Championship sponsors parked up their eye-catching pink stand on the outfield and watched as the crowds flocked to pick up HiQ hats, large foam spanners and all number of T-shirts and goody bags.

The HiQ team, together with the pink ladies and special guest Beverley Edwards - who won HiQ’s national grid girl competition - managed to boost the championship total to more than £15,000 for the season.

In the process, HiQ smashed the £80,000 mark for Breast Cancer Care since partnering with the charity in 2009.

HiQ retail marketing manager Geraldine McGovern, said: “We have enjoyed a fantastic season of fundraising and it is with thanks to everyone involved that we have raised so much.

“There was a great atmosphere at Silverstone with fans going above and beyond to donate to Breast Cancer Care, a charity very close to everyone’s hearts.

“Fifteen thousand pounds is an incredible amount to raise over the season and we are proud to have totalled over £80,000 through various fundraising initiatives applied through our project pink programme.

“We are continuing with our sponsorship and charity partnership in 2012 so we look forward to continuing in our fundraising and turning the grids pink once again.”

For more information about HiQ’s project pink programme, please visit www.hiqonline.co.uk/projectpink

Austin knocks Wrathall off top spot for HiQ champagne moment win

There’s no doubt who fans of the Dunlop British Touring Car Championship were most impressed with at Rockingham, judging by Rob Austin’s landslide HiQ Champagne Moment victory.

A whopping 46 per-cent of supporters voted for the Worcestershire speedster to scoop the bubbly, in the biggest margin recorded by HiQ all season.

Rob claimed the fastest overall lap in his Audi A4 in the second practice of the day, pre-empting a 2^nd place podium in race three at the Northamptonshire circuit.

Winning fan Gerry Barclay praised Rob for his ‘tenacious driving’ and his ability to storm up the grid in qualifying and in races two and three.

Not surprisingly, Frank Wrathall – winner of the last two HiQ champagne moments - took second place with 29 per cent of the vote, and James Nash was third with 14 per cent.

Gerry has won the opportunity to present Rob with champagne at the penultimate round of the season, Brands Hatch this weekend.

Gerry will also receive two tickets for the race weekend and a complimentary grid walk before one of the races.

To vote for a HiQ Champagne Moment and stand a chance of winning a race weekend experience to treasure, click on http://www.hiqonline.co.uk/hiqBtcc/champagneMoments/

Onslow-Cole wins his first champagne moment

Tom Onslow-Cole has underlined his credentials as a serious challenger for the British Touring Car Championship title – by winning the latest HiQ champagne moment award.

The Team Aon star sped away with a win from the recent round of racing at Oulton Park, and can now add a bottle of HiQ bubbly to his trophy cabinet.

It is the first time Tom has won the accolade, after narrowly missing out on several occasions in 2008.

Tom has thanked the BTCC fans for their support, and hopes to keep up the momentum at Croft this weekend, when he will hope to make further ground on the championship leaders.

He said: “I enjoyed a successful weekend at Oulton Park and it is great to win the HiQ champagne moment to give me something to remember the weekend by.

“It is great to be back in the series. I have learnt a lot in the Ford Focus and I feel that I’m growing as a driver all the time. I’m gaining momentum at the right time and feel in great shape ahead of Croft.

“The car is as good as anything I have driven and it is wonderful to win this award, on behalf of everyone at Team Aon who do so much behind the scenes.”

Tom polled 37 per cent of votes, beating Jason Plato into second place (29 per cent) with James Nash third (9 per cent).

Susan Cook, of West Bridgford, was picked at random to present Tom with his bottle of champagne and will also win a bottle for himself, as well as a grid walk and a pair of complimentary weekend race passes.

HiQ’s marketing manager Geraldine McGovern said: “It is great to see Tom performing so well, and challenging at the top end of the standings.

“He is fully deserving of our champagne moment award, and our only surprise is that he hasn’t won one earlier. Well done!”

WHO WILL WIN HIQ'S FINAL CHAMPAGNE MOMENT?

As the dust settles on an enthralling British Touring Car Championship season, just one question remains…Who will win HiQ’s final champagne moment?

HiQ is throwing the voting out to the fans once again, to conclude a stunning year of racing which saw Colin Turkington crowned as champion.

So will the talented Northern Ireland star win his first HiQ Champagne Moment for his nerveless display at Brands Hatch?

Or will Jason Plato’s hat-trick of wins crown him with the award for the second time this season?

And there is also another strong contender in the shape of Tom Chilton, who ended his season in style with Team Aon with a pole position and two podium finishes.

All spectators are invited to log onto HiQ’s official website, http://www.hiqonline.co.uk/ to vote for their star performer.

The man that receives the most plaudits from the round of racing will be crowned with HiQ’s Champagne Moment award and presented with a bottle of bubbly before the first race of the 2010 season.

HiQ’s marketing manager Geraldine McGovern said: “What a season! Brands Hatch was a phenomenal success on so many levels. With more than 30,000 fans cheering on the drivers, it will be great to see who they vote for in our final champagne moment of 2009.”

OFFICIAL HiQ “PINK” BTCC GRID GIRL UNVEILED

Donington Motorsport marshal and avid HiQ British Touring Car Championship fan Amanda Wheal will add a splash of colour to the grid at Brands Hatch this weekend when she becomes Tom Chilton’s HiQ Pink Grid Girl

Amanda, better known as AJ, was chosen as HiQ’s Pink Grid Girl following an intense online vote, receiving over 24 per cent of the overall votes cast. She will don the iconic HiQ pink grid suit and join thousands of fans as they dress in pink in an attempt to make the grandstands - and every other part of the circuit - pretty in pink and raise thousands of pounds for Breast Cancer Care.

The campaign already has the backing of HiQ BTCC fan and Spice Girl Melanie C and Tom Chilton will be joining in the pink theme by dying his own hair pink for the race!

27 year old AJ from Beeston in Nottingham is a doctor at Queen's Medical Centre and is a member of the Chilwell Olympia Karate School and the local Boots Orchestra. Speaking about winning the competition, she said: “I have followed the HiQ BTCC since I was old enough to watch motorsport on TV; I really do love anything with engines and think perhaps I have high octane fuel running through my veins!

“Breast Cancer Care is a charity close to my heart so this is a fantastic opportunity to combine my love of motorsport with raising awareness for the charity.”

After her grid appearance Brands Hatch, AJ will also be treated to dinner with Tom Chilton and ask him questions about his racing career and hopes for the future as part of her prize.

Fast fit network HiQ, official sponsor of Britain’s premier motor racing series, launched the competition alongside race ace Tom Chilton to take its charity partnership with Breast Cancer Care up a gear.

HiQ’s marketing manager Geraldine McGovern said: “The Brands Hatch race weekend is set to be a really special culmination to the HiQ BTCC season. We’re urging everyone to wear pink to support our fundraising efforts for Breast Cancer Care, but if they forget, they can always pop along to the HiQ trade stand to pick up their pink HiQ caps in return for a donation to the charity.”

Ends:

AJ’s accompanying paragraph to support her entry is: “I love any sport with engines, and I am a motorsport marshal. I really enjoy the HiQ BTCC because of the action packed racing and tight championship. I'm always up for a new challenge, and this chance to mix the motorsport of Team AON and support of Breast Cancer Care was too good to miss. As a Dr of science I understand the need to increase cancer awareness. In fact, I ran around Donington Park in this outfit for Cancer Research. Please give this karate-kicking, adrenaline-seeking, fun-loving lady your vote!”

Notes to Editors

The HiQ fast fit retail network consists of over 130 branches across the UK and is the only franchised fast fit network in the automotive sector. In addition to selling, fitting and checking tyres, HiQ also provides brakes, exhausts, batteries, MOTs and vehicle servicing and maintenance.

The network of HiQ centres is currently being redeveloped to reflect the company’s customer commitment to differentiate itself from competitors and become Fast Fit You Can Be Sure Of.

The company’s proposition is to offer certainty and reassurance, with jargon free communication; open and honest pricing; modern, comfortable facilities; better choice and value; and excellent customer-focused service.

The network now has ambitious growth plans and aims to increase its centre network to 275 branches by 2012 creating many jobs in the process.

In 2008 HiQ became the main sponsor of the HiQ British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), Britain's most popular and longest established motor racing championship.

For more information on what sets HiQ apart from the rest, visit www.hiqonline.co.uk

EASY 1-2-3 STEPHEN JELLEY WINS HiQ CHAMPAGNE MOMENT!

Team RAC speedster Stephen Jelley can look forward to another well earned bottle of bubbly after hundreds of fans voted him as HiQ’s latest champagne moment winner.

The Leicester star has received the prestigious award for his headline grabbing display in the British Touring Car Championship at Croft, when he finished on the podium in each of the three races in his WSR prepared BMW E90 320si.

Jelley ably backed up his championship leading team mate Colin Turkington in races one and two, finishing second on both occasions, before capping off a fine weekend with a third place finish in the final outing.

It was his first podium finishes of his BTCC career and firmly established him as a driver to be reckoned with for the duration of the 2009 season.

Jelley polled 32 per cent of fans’ votes with teammate Turkington second with 24 per cent of votes. Reigning champion Fabrizio Giovanardi was third (20 per cent) and Paul O’Neill came fourth (18 per cent).

He said: ““It is nice to be recognised by so many fans of the BTCC. It is the ultimate endorsement and I hope the champagne moment award will spur me and the team on to more successes at the Snetterton circuit.”

BTCC fan Barry Barney, of Drayton near Norwich, was picked at random to win a bottle of champagne and he will now win a pair of tickets to the next BTCC race at Snetterton, where he will present Stephen with his prize.

Barry said: “There were not one, not two, but three champagne moments at one meeting – all courtesy of Stephen. No one topped that, which is why I picked him to win.”

All spectators are invited to log onto HiQ’s official website, www.hiqonline.co.uk to vote for their star performer from the next round of racing, at Snetterton on August 2.

The man that receives the most plaudits from the round of racing will be crowned with HiQ’s Champagne Moment award and presented with a magnum of bubbly before the next race.

One lucky fan who has logged his or her details onto the website will be picked at random to present the prize to the driver and complimentary race tickets will also be provided, along with a grid walk of the track before one of the races.

HiQ’s BTCC marketing manager Geraldine McGovern said: “We are delighted for Stephen and Team RAC. He is certainly a worthy winner, and we all thought he stood a great chance for three stunning drives.”

Ends

For more information please contact Ben Smallman on 01902 714957 or email ben@connect-group.com

HiQ PREDICTING MOST COMPETITIVE CHAMPAGNE MOMENT YET!

HiQ is urging fans to keep voting for their champagne moment from the latest round of racing at Oulton Park, as a number of drivers remain in contention for the prize.

After Harry Vaulkhard scooped the champagne for an eye-catching all round performance at Donington Park earlier in the month, a number of other drivers sizzled in the Cheshire sun.

Rob Collard’s stunning performance in race three, where he battled through to fourth place from the back of the grid, puts him as a favourite to win most votes.
It would be his second champagne moment victory, after winning the accolade in 2008 for a second placed finish at Knockhill.

Team RAC’S Colin Turkington will also boast short odds for the bubbly, thanks to a fabulous double victory, while James Thompson should be in the frame, after another ominous showing.

All spectators are invited to log onto HiQ’s official website, www.hiqonline.co.uk to vote for their star performer.

The man that receives the most plaudits from the round of racing at Oulton will be crowned with HiQ’s Champagne Moment award and presented with a magnum of bubbly before the action at Croft on June 14.

One lucky fan who has logged his or her details onto the website will be picked at random to present the prize to the driver and complimentary race tickets will also be provided, along with a grid walk of the track before one of the races.

Kerry Earl was picked at random as the winner from Donington, and another lucky fan will be picked when voting closes on Monday June 8.

HiQ’s BTCC marketing manager Geraldine McGovern said: “Our champagne moment initiative has already captured the imagination, and we now want people to keep on voting after a stunning weekend at Oulton Park.

Ends

For more information please contact Ben Smallman on 01902 714957 or email ben@connect-group.com

HiQ MAKES HARRY HAPPY WITH CHAMPAGNE MOMENT

Hundreds of British Touring Car Championship fans have given Harry Vaulkhard a big reason to be cheerful after voting him the winner of HiQ’s first champagne moment of 2009.

The Chevrolet Lacetti star received the most votes for his impressive all round display at Donnington Park, when he qualified in second place, and went on to secure 5th spot and 7th place in races one and three.

Harry received 40 per cent of the votes, narrowly beating Rob Collard (36 per cent) and James Thompson (21 per cent).

He will receive his bottle of bubbly from BTCC fan Kerry Earl, who was picked at random to present the prize. She will also receive a pair of tickets to a future race in the season.

She said: “I voted for Harry because to put his car 2nd on the grid and hold his own throughout all three races was an impressive achievement.

“When you consider how well he performed when battling with Jason Plato and Mat Jackson, you realize what a great effort it was.”

Harry was suitably pleased with his award and said he was enjoying regular tussles further up the grid this season.

“It is exciting times for me and the team. Everyone is working extremely hard and this HiQ champagne moment award is am lovely reminder of the results we achieved at Donington.

“We want to do better at Oulton and we hope that the bottle of bubbly will be a good omen for me and the team.”

HiQ is hoping that the popularity in its champagne moment accolades will continue after Oulton Park on Sunday.

For more information about HiQ’s Champagne Moment log onto www.hiqonline.co.uk

Ends

For more information please contact Ben Smallman on 01902 714957 or email ben@connect-group.com

KIND HEARTED BUSINESS IN THE PINK

A kind hearted business man is getting in the pink after donating £2,500 to Breast Cancer Care.

Andy Bucknall HiQ franchisee for two HiQ centres, Burton-upon-Trent and Crewe, is showing his caring, sharing side after giving the cash to the charity on behalf of the fast fit centre.

HiQ has agreed to donate £2,500 direct to Breast Cancer Care in return for a day at the HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship at Oulton Park race track on Sunday May 31.

Andy Bucknall and his team will be given VIP treatment, and will get the chance to invite customers and contacts to the day of racing in return for the kind hearted donation.

Dozens of fundraising activities will also be organized by HiQ throughout the year to coincide with the BTCC calendar, and fast fitters across the HiQ network will be encouraged to take part in as many events as possible to swell the coffers at Breast Cancer Care.

Andy Bucknall said the charity was the perfect fit for HiQ, as it reached out to a family audience – many of whom are wary of visiting fast fit centres, and are dissatisfied with the service given to them.

He said: “We are all extremely excited with our partnership with Breast Cancer Care and the opportunities that exist with the charity.

“We think the charity fits perfectly with what we are trying to achieve at HiQ. Not only is it close to all of our hearts, but no fast fit company reaches into the family market to help remove the intimidation associated with the fast fit sector.

The charity donation marks the start of a new era at HiQ Burton, after the centre was re-launched in March this year.

Andy Bucknall added: “We have conducted a great deal of research before opening the new store. Our research highlighted what the industry has suspected for a long time. On the whole customers find visiting a fast fit outlet to be a negative experience for several reasons.

“Centres are seen as dirty, unwelcoming and confusing; prices are unclear with quotes invariably increasing once a job has been carried out and customers feel they have no control over appointment times, waiting times and choice of product.

“HiQ is designed to place the customer at the heart of the experience utilizing the following features: Clearly signed forecourt and parking area; modern, clean, welcoming reception area; menu boards with all pricing clearly identified and information clearly displayed and written in non-confusing jargon free language.”

The Burton-upon-Trent and Crewe HiQ centres were purchased in March 2009 by South Cheshire Tyre & Exhaust Ltd, which specialises in all sections of the motor industry including service and MOT centres and tyre and exhaust centres.

For more information about HiQ visit HiQ online.

BTCC Personalities in Strawberry Drive

Four of the top BTCC drivers are lending their support to HiQ’s record attempt to create the world’s largest Strawberry Tea supporting Breast Cancer Care.

Up to 30,000 sweet toothed people are expected to help break a world record when they take part in the day of strawberry eating at the HiQ British Touring Car Championship at Oulton Park on 31 May.

Drivers James Thompson, Jason Plato, Fabrizio Giovanardi and Matt Neal will be joining race-goers in helping to grow funds for the national charity by eating a punnet of strawberries.

HiQ, official sponsors of the motor racing series, are trying to raise as much money as possible for Breast Cancer Care and have come up with the idea of creating the biggest ‘strawberry tea’ event ever seen.

So it will be a case of strawberry fields forever at the Cheshire race circuit when thousands of pieces of fruit are brought in for people to buy – with a splash of cream.

Visit http://www.hiqonline.co.uk/btcc/news/mouthwateringCharityBonanza/.

HiQ GETTING FRUITY WITH A MOUTHWATERING CHARITY BONANZA

Up to 30,000 sweet toothed people are expected to break a world record when they take part in a day of strawberry eating at the HiQ British Touring Car Championship at Oulton Park.

HiQ, official sponsors of the motor racing series, are trying to raise as much money as possible for Breast Cancer Care and have come up with the idea of creating the biggest ‘strawberry tea’ event ever seen.

So it will be a case of strawberry fields forever at the Cheshire race circuit on May 31 when thousands of pieces of fruit are brought in for people to buy – with a splash of cream.

With around 30,000 spectators expected to flock to the venue to watch the racing, it is hoped that more than £10,000 is raised for the charity.

HiQ’s marketing manager Geraldine McGovern urged as many people to get to Oulton Park to help the company in its bid to become the cream of the crop.

She said: “Breast Cancer Care inform us that this would be the biggest strawberry tea event that has ever been launched, and we believe it will be the world’s biggest.

“We will be ordering in thousands of pieces of fruit, so we want to hit the five figure mark for the charity as everyone purchases a bowl of strawberries and cream from us.”

The idea is an extension of the already successful Strawberry Tea fundraising initiative that is hugely popular for Breast Cancer Care.

Breast Cancer Care’s Head of Community Fundraising, Alec Raven, said: “A Strawberry Tea can be whatever you want it to be – a picnic, afternoon tea, a cake sale or your work tea-break with a strawberry twist. HiQ have taken the idea to a whole new level and we are so grateful with their efforts for Oulton Park.

“What’s important is that it’s a chance for people to have fun and raise money to help people affected by breast cancer. This objective will certainly be achieved at Oulton Park and we hope that everyone has a sweet tooth and joins us for a tasty day of fun.”

For more information about HiQ’s strawberry tea initiative please click on www.hiqonline.co.uk

ENDS

Picture caption: BTCC drivers (l-r) James Thompson, Jason Plato. Fabrizio Giovanardi and Matt Neal help grow funds for HiQ’s largest Strawberry Tea for Breast Cancer Care

For more information please contact Ben Smallman on 01902 714957 or email ben@connect-group.com