Automechanika Birmingham has announced its team for the Bangers4Ben 2022 rally, taking place from 8-11 October.
Participants in this year’s ‘Bangers does Bond’ themed event will travel 1,575 miles across Europe in their cars, which can cost no more than £750. The route will take in the south coast of France and a trip up through the Alps, before ending in Monaco.
The Bangers4Ben rally returned last year following a COVID-19 enforced hiatus. With a different theme and route each year, the event has become a much loved addition to automotive calendars, with this year’s running oversubscribed due to the high interest generated.
Strong line-up
Appropriately named ‘Automechanika Banger-ham,’ the event organiser has partnered with established aftermarket business owners Louise Baker and Rachel Murray, as they gear up to take on the challenge of a lifetime.
With over 20 years of experience ‘on the spanners,’ Baker owns independent garage, Womanic, which she opened in 2016.
Her passion led her to open a garage and create an environment that supports the modern-day man and woman by offering a fast and hassle-free service to car maintenance, with a feminine touch.
Meanwhile, Murray is a 24-year-old, freelance refinisher specialising in the automotive industry, as well as having experience in marine, commercial and domestic spraying.
Starting Paint by Rach in 2018, her main passion is promoting the automotive industry to the next generation and breaking down the stigma against mental health in the industry.
Both Baker and Murray love their automotive jobs and are passionate about keeping drivers safe on the roads and taking care of people’s cars.
Fun to be had on the Bangers4Ben 2022 rally
Louise and Rachel are both hugely enthusiastic about joining the Bangers4Ben 2022 rally as both are strong advocates for Ben, a charity especially designed for garage and bodyshop professionals to support those that are struggling mentally and financially.
The ‘Bangers does Bond’ rally has been created to raise essential funds for the charity; entrants are required is to pay a £750 entry fee alongside the purchase of their own car.
The teams, who will participate in fancy dress, can paint, decal, and enhance their car whatever way they choose, while raising as much money as they can for Ben in the process.
All the cars will be auctioned after the event at BCA Blackbushe to raise as much money as possible.
Raising awareness with help from the industry
The Automechanika banger has been re-built by the very capable Louise and bodywork transformed by Rachel. The car will be auctioned at Automechanika Birmingham in June 2023.
During the Bangers4Ben rally, there will be prizes up for grabs for the best themed car, best fancy dress, highest fundraiser, best tweet and most profit at auction.
Alex Jones, marketing director of Messe Frankfurt UK, organisers of Automechanika Birmingham said: “I’m so excited to have Louise and Rachel on board for what’s set to be a fantastic, few days of fun and fundraising, all in the name of a worthy cause, Ben.
“Both are highly regarded professionals in the industry and have worked tirelessly over the past few weeks to get their ‘bangers’ ready for the rally – driving such a distance in a car worth under £750 is no easy task and we wish them the best of luck!
“We could not have got the car roadworthy without the help of friends along the way who have donated body paint and parts galore so a special thanks to Axalta, LKQ, Calthorne Tyres, School of Thought, Perfections Bodywork West Midlands and Speedwells Birmingham.”
This year the rally will again be run by Automation Events in support of Ben.
You can donate to support the Automechanika Banger-ham team here https://giving.ben.org.uk/pf/lou-rach
If you are struggling with financial or mental health worries, you can find contact information at www.ben.org.uk. If you would like to know what the industry charity can do to help, listen to the latest Auto Repair Focus podcast episode.
