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Rally day is upon us... stay posted to see how our teams get on!
We'll be posting updates throughout the day on this page, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram so stay in the loop and don't forget to sponsor Team Vantage!
Whats the plan?
Our teams from across the Vantage family, from all of our franchises, will be taking part today in the Vantage Journey today. Our sponsored vehicles will be travelling between each of our locations in a bid to gain as much sponsorship money as possible towards our ambitions Million Makers target. With centres based in the Midlands, Lancashire and all across Yorkshire the teams have a great challenge on their hands.
Every team has tracked down a thrifty second hand car of their own choice and have had to make sure that it is roadworthy, taxed, insured and ready to go. It needs to not only fit the whole team in but take on the marthon journey too.
Each team will start off from their own centre and can start as early as 5am. By the end of the day they will, fingers crossed, have arrived back at their centres in a blaze of glory. Each team must have a spare tyre aboard and their team must include at least one vehicle technician in case their vehicles have any mishaps. After todays snow in the North we're hoping for a better forcast for tomorrow, especially as some of these cars are bound to be pretty short on mod cons such as heating!
Our Team Vantage Million Makers have already obtained four main sponsors for the tour in the form of Edynamics, Honda UK, Kia UK and GardX. These sponsorships have got all our teams off to a great start but the centres still had a long way to go to reach our ambitious target. Each team have obtained sponsorships from businesses and people in their area who in turn have gained a sticker space on the centres car.
This page will be getting updated frequently to let you know how our teams are getting on. Make sure you check back and keep refreshing this page. There will be a prize for the team who manage to gather the most sponsorship so make sure you donate to this worthy cause via our Just Giving page (link is above) or you can TXT TVMM77 and £ (your donation) to 70070.
Why are we doing it?
Here at Vantage Motor Group we have been humbled by the stories that we have heard from young ambassadors from The Prince's Trust. We signed up earlier this year, as part of our commitments to The Trust as patrons, to particpate in their Million Makers scheme.
The Prince's Trust aims to support young people in the UK to reach their goals, whatever their background is. They help those between the ages of 11 and 30 who are unemployed or are struggling at school to turn their lives with practical or financial support to gain the training and skills they need to better themselves.
We are really pleased to be able to continue our support of this charity through the Million Makers initiative and we really hope you will get behind our teams and show your support by sponsoring our teams or if you don't want to donate you can always show our teams support by sharing the Vantage Journey far and wide!
Here are the teams:
Honda Barnsley:
Team Members: Saul brook , Helen Helsby & Russ Kowacz.
| Update 1 | Update 2 | Update 3 | Update 4 | Update 5 |
| 07:15 Arrive in Scarborough | 09:45 Arrive in Bradford | 11:45 Arrive in Preston | 1:48 Arrive at Citroën Blackpool | 4:30 On route from Blackpool to Birmingham |
Sponsors include:
Honda Financial Services, WBS Builders, SVS valeting services, Right Sign, C&D Cleaning Services, GardX, Honda UK, Kia UK & Edynamix.
Vantage Bradford:
Kia & Honda are joining forces.
Team Members: Brian Robinson, Amran Taj, James McNulty & Carl Berry.
| Update 1 | Update 2 | Update 3 | Update 4 | Update 5 |
| 07:14 Arrive in Scarborough | 09:17 Arrive at Honda Barnsley | 12:08 Arrive at Lexus Birmingham | 2:25 Arrive at Morecambe | 4:10 Arrive at Toyota Blackburn |
Sponsors include:
Kia Finance, Bridge Motor Company, Neil Dunning Car Sales, SVS, Honda UK, Kia UK & Edynamix.
Lexus Birmingham:
Team members: Luke Ward, Connor Padgett & Alex Young.
| Update 1 | Update 2 | Update 3 | Update 4 | Update 5 |
| 07:20 Arrive in Preston | 09:35 Arrive at Toyota Blackburn | 12:05 Arrive at Lexus Leeds | 2:17 Arrive in Scarborough |
Sponsors include:
KC Alloys, On Site Car Cosmetics, ADC Logistics, Honda UK, Kia UK & Edynamix.
Toyota Birmingham:
Team Members: Paul Woodward, Kabhair Hussain & Ciprian Burchi.
| Update 1 | Update 2 | Update 3 | Update 4 | Update 5 |
| 06.57 Arrive at Toyota Tamworth | 09:24 Arrive at Toyota Preston | 11:32 Arrive at Toyota Blackburn | 1:37 Arrive at Toyota Knaresborough | 4:26 Arrive in Scarborough |
Sponsors include:
PJB Bosyshop, Peggs Bodyshop, DW Autos, Rapide Smart Repairers, Honda UK, Kia UK & Edynamix.
Toyota Blackburn:
Team Members: Cheryl Coxhill, Steve Rostron, Alasdair Jaynes & Martin Gornall.
| Update 1 | Update 2 | Update 3 | Update 4 | Update 5 |
| 07:22 Arrive in Tamworth | 10:27 Arrive at Honda Barnsley | 12:12 Arrive at Toyota Leeds | 1:54 Arrive at Toyota Scarborough | 4:12 Arrive at Toyota |
Sponsors include:
Revive Mobile Car Care, Active Cleaning & Maintenance, Fix Auto Blackburn, Dent-co, Sew Simple Workwear Ltd, Perfect Placement Automotive Recruitment, Kia UK, Honda UK & Edynamix.
Citroën Blackpool:
Team Members: William Stones, Lewis Goddard & Rob Wyatt.
| Update 1 | Update 2 | Update 3 | Update 4 | Update 5 |
| 09:08 Arrive at Toyota Solihull | 09:59 Arrive at Toyota Tamworth | 11.27 Arrive at Honda Barnsley | 2:00 Arrive in Scarborough | 4:36 Arrive at Toyota Colne |
Sponsors include:
Mather Signs, Dickinsons Solicitors, Crossleys Accident Repair Centre, Kyote Graphics, Direct Valeting, Alpha Barbers, Honda UK, Kia UK & Edynamix.
Toyota Colne:
Team Members: Barbara Tate, Simon Baldwin, Samantha Saggers & Ian Johnston.
| Update 1 | Update 2 | Update 3 | Update 4 | Update 5 |
| 06:47 Arrive in Knaresborough | 09:51 Arrive at Toyota Wakefield | 12:59 Arrive at Toyota Tamworth | 1:19 Arrive at Lexus Birmingham | 3:48 Arrive at Citroën Blackpool |
Sponsors include:
Thistlewaite Fencing, Briercliffe Bed Centre, CSR Ltd Smart repair, Hacketts Body shop, Macadems, The Dry Stonewalling Specialist, Burnley Tyre & Battery, Honda UK, Kia UK & Edynamix.
Toyota Knaresborough:
Team Members: William Welsh, Keith Connelly,Jason Canterbury & Callum Townsend.
| Update 1 | Update 2 | Update 3 | Update 4 | Update 5 |
| 07:38 Arrive at Honda Barnsley | 10:06 Arrive at Toyota Tamworth | 11:04 Arrive at Toyota Solihull | 1:59 Arrive at Blackpool Citoën | 3:58 Arrive in Preston |
Sponsors include:
Autopoint York, Bluefin, Caffe Society, Auto Cosmetics York, GardX, Colour Quick, Lockwood Cars, ME Electricals, New Hampshire Clothing, SM Specialist Cars, Honda UK, Kia UK & Edynamix.
Vantage Leeds:
Lexus & Toyota are joining forces.
Team Members: James Dorlin, Danny McGreavy, Stuart Myren & Mike Riley.
| Update 1 | Update 2 | Update 3 | Update 4 | Update 5 | Update 6 |
| 07:54 Arrive at Toyota Wakefield | 10:07 Arrive at Toyota Tamworth | 11:04 Arrive at Toyota Solihull | 2:45 Arrive at Citroën Morecambe | 4:09 Arrive at Bradford |
Sponsors include:
Arrow Self Drive, Refined Body Shop, Drive or Ride, Autologic, Direct Valeting, Line Sign, Clarks Independence Honda UK, Kia UK & Edynamix.
Vantage Morecambe:
Citroën & Toyota are joining forces.
Team Members: Chris Prior, Graham Bosdet, Mark Taylor & Adam Bailey.
| Update 1 | Update 2 | Update 3 | Update 4 | Update 5 |
| 07:15 Arrive in Blackburn | 09:14 Arrive in Bradford | 11:33 Arrive in Scarborough | 2:39 Arrive at Honda Barnsley | 4:40 Approaching Toyota Tamworth |
Sponsors include:
JM Autos, PEELS WHEELS, Dent Smart, PSA, SVS Valeting, Bevan Homes, Kipling's Catering, Ken Allen Auto Wreckers, Honda UK, Kia UK & Edynamix.
Toyota Preston:
Team Members: Simon Robinson, Jemma Ellison, Tony Smith & Ian Warda.
| Update 1 | Update 2 | Update 3 | Update 4 | Update 5 |
| 07:17 Arrive in Solihull | 10:11 Arrive at Honda Barnsley | 11:34 Arrive in Bradford | 2:15 Leave Toyota York | 4:21 Arrive at Toyota Colne |
Sponsors include:
Pete Marquis construction, I Buy Caravans NW Ltd, Westbury Filtermation, Margaret Mason Florists, The Solution Automotive Recruitment, APG Plumbing and Heating, Revive Cosmetic Vehicle Repairers, Northwest Valeting, Autotrader, Seamus O’Grady Civil Engineering, Priory Kitchens, Specialist Cars, Honda UK, Kia UK & Edynamix.
Hyundai & ŠKODA:
Hyundai Preston & ŠKODA Morecambe are joining forces.
Team Members: Blaise Craddock, Pietro Sibilia & Tom Foster.
| Update 1 | Update 2 | Update 3 | Update 4 | Update 5 |
| 07:22 Arrive at Citroën Morecambe | 12:42 Arrive at Tamworth Toyota | 3:01 Arrive at Honda Barnsley | 3:47 Arrive at Lexus Leeds |
Sponsors include:
Lancashire Fostering, SM Car Sales, Mastrpart, JY Autos, Honda UK, Kia UK & Edynamix.
Vantage Scarborough:
Kia & Toyota are joining forces.
Team Members: Peter Stableford, John Bulmer, Ian Boddy & Kevin Brown.
| Update 1 | Update 2 | Update 3 | Update 4 | Update 5 |
| 07:34 Arrive at Toyota Colne | 09:23 Arrive in Morecambe | 12:00 Arrive at Toyota Preston | 2:19 Arrive at Toyota Solihull | 4:12 Arrive at Honda Barnsley |
Sponsors include:
Assured Valeting, S M Specialist Cars, ITC, Dealerweb, Six Lane Ends, Cosmetic Auto Repair Services, Pete Mitchell Dent Services, Kia Finance, Red Gate Garage, D P Transport Services, Honda UK, Kia UK & Edynamix.
Toyota Solihull:
Team Members: Victoria Hibbard, Jim McIntosh, Chris Traves & Adam Walker.
| Update 1 | Update 2 | Update 3 | Update 4 | Update 5 |
| 06:38 Arrive at Toyota Tamworth | 10:14 Arrive at Preston | 12:00 Arrive at ŠKODA Morecambe | 3:00 Arrive at Lexus Leeds | 4:12 Arrive at Toyota York |
Sponsors include:
Autoclenz, Concept Signs, PEGGS Accident Repair Centre, Honda UK, Kia UK & Edynamix.
Toyota Tamworth:
Team Members: Mark Spindley, Neil Bignell, Louise Holloway & James Verani.
| Update 1 | Update 2 | Update 3 | Update 4 | Update 5 |
| 08:16 Arrive at Honda Barnsley | 09:23 Arrive at Lexus Leeds | 11:40 Arrive at Scarborough | 2:30 Arrive at Kia Bradford | 4:12 Arrive at Toyota Blackburn |
Sponsors include:
Perfection Alloys, Dent Devils, Green Clean, Honda UK, Kia UK & Edynamix.
Toyota Wakefield:
Team Members: Zoe Limbert, Tim Stone & Ryan Dransfield.
| Update 1 | Update 2 | Update 3 | Update 4 | Update 5 |
| 07:48 Arrive at Toyota Wakefield | Withdrawn | Withdrawn | Withdrawn | Withdrawn |
Sponsors include:
Al-Murad Tiles, Frankie's, T & H Carpets, Concept Beds, Doozy Vapes, Honda UK, Kia UK & Edynamix.
Toyota York:
Team Members: Steve Butler, Terry Brown, Jon Ventress & Mark Chapman.
| Update 1 | Update 2 | Update 3 | Update 4 | Update 5 |
| 07:06 Arrive in Leeds | 10:20 Arrive at Toyota Solihull | 11:33 Arrive at Lexus Birmingham | 2:19 Arrive at Toyota Preston | 4:22 Arrive at ŠKODA Morecambe |
Sponsors include:
S M Specialist Cars, Autohorn Fleet Services, Quinns Car Transport, ECMVDS, Drive or Ride, Assured Group, Paint X, R & B Affordable Cars, Autotrader, Wellhouse Leisure, Normans Business Solutions, Coachman's Inn, Lyla & Alfie Butler, CBS Car Benefit Solutions, Honda UK, Kia UK & Edynamix.
How did we do?
As you can see from our updates above some of the teams were pretty neck and neck at points in terms of progress. There was some pretty awful traffic on the roads all day so planning ahead will have been key for each of our teams.
Unfortunately our Wakefield team had to withdraw early on in the day but all 16 of our remaining teams managed to complete the challenge.
We said early on in the planning process for the journey that there would be a number of accolades for our teams to aim for and the results are as follows:
The team who finished closest to the time set by The Million Makers Team was...
Team Toyota Colne
Our lovely team from Toyota Colne came closest to the secret Million Makers time set.
The time they set was 13 hours and Colne cruised back into their centre at 5:59 making them the winners.
WELL DONE TEAM!!
Most money raised for charity...
Toyota York
Arguably the most important category is the winner for most amount raised for The Prince's Trust.
Our Toyota York team went above and beyond, organising their own press to encourage more sponsors and raising a huge amount in sponsorship for their Toyota Avensis.
Special thanks go to Steve Butler who really took the lead for Toyota York and put his all into raising money for the cause.
The team who finished in the fastest time was…
Joint Winners....
Toyota Leeds and Team Bradford
Our Toyota Leeds team sent through their finishing picture (not shown here) at 5:28. this was exactly the same time that team Bradford did making them joint winners of this accolade!
Toyota Leeds were proudly driving a Toyota Celica and Team Bradford have fallen in love with their vehicle.
The most hospitable centre...
Toyota Tamworth
There were 'goodie bags' galore at Toyota Tamworth for out rally teams as well as a warm welcome.
We had some great efforts from all of our centres who made our rally teams feel really welcome, keeping their spirits up and making sure they were properly fuelled for the task.
Best picture...
Joint Winners...
Toyota Blackburn & Toyota Knaresborough
This was too hard a category for us to crown an outright winner because we had such great entries.
Our Toyota Blackburn team sent through some great entries. You really got a feel the strong bond between the team and could sense how much fun they were having which was great to see. They even sent through some top Karaoke videos from their car.
Our Toyota Knaresborough team also looked like they really got into the spirit of the day. We love the picture of host Brenda with her new dream car at Lexus Birmingham.