The Exeter Daily - #business #devon

Gran Turismo style racing simulator challenge provides keys to £150,000 pro racing driver scholarship

charleyabsolutepr — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 08:51:18 +0000

FastTrack to Motorsport Championship launched in Devon to find motorsport talent of the future

A radical new approach to finding the future talent of top level motorsport, which echoes the format of this summer’s much anticipated blockbuster film Gran Turismo, is set to launch in Devon from Saturday (29 July) at Apex Race Centre, the UK’s premier motorsport simulator venue.

In a world first, the simulator-based FastTrack to Motorsport Championship, which is designed to be accessible to all, and not just the wealthy, provides a swift and direct route to a potential career as a professional racing driver, and the opportunity to win a £150,000 motor racing scholarship with the UK’s leading independent motorsport team, Kent-based Team HARD Racing.

Based at Re:Fuel, the Southwest’s home for automotive enthusiasts, the Apex Race Centre is located close to J28 of the M5, just outside Cullompton.

Set up in partnership with Race Car Experiences - the UK’s only track-day company which gives individuals access to race prepared BTCC cars on some of the UK’s most exhilarating race circuits - the winner of the Championship could find themselves driving for Team HARD Racing in the 2024 British Endurance Championship, a feeder the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), where drivers can earn upwards to £150,000 a season.

The initiative is designed to break down barriers that currently prevent those from ordinary backgrounds making it into top level motorsport; a challenge which Top Gear’s Paddy McGuinness summarised well on the programme saying: "No matter how talented you might be, the simple truth is that, without the right connections and a whole heap of cash, it’s nigh on impossible to crack.”

Determined to bust financial barriers and make the story behind the Gran Turismo movie - which sees a gamer make it into motorsport - a reality, Dan Regan, Director of Re:Fuel, and James Shanks, Director and Co-founder of Race Car Experiences, have worked together to give novices, gamers and aspiring motor racing competitors the opportunity to break into professional motorsport simply by proving their abilities on Apex Race Centre’s cutting-edge race simulators.

Dan explains: “Using simulators as a method of finding talented drivers amongst the general public - paired with a track-day final and scholarship trials - has never been tried in this way before, but we’re 100% confident that it will provide the perfect entry point for untapped talent.

“We know that because professional drivers, including two time Le Mans winner Harry Tincknell, and Amy Riley, who last year won the UK Formula Woman Series, already use our race simulators. In fact, Amy is using Apex Race Centre to prepare for her upcoming season as it gives her a level of reality on the tracks that she’ll be competing on that few have the opportunity to experience.”

The top three drivers from the FastTrack to Motorsport Championship will be given the opportunity to take their simulator abilities onto the track with Race Car Experiences in a drive-off at Brands Hatch. Each will compete for the top spot in a 2021 BTCC spec’d Mercedes A Class, which will be at Re:Fuel on 29 July for the launch of the Championship.

Commenting on the Championship James Shanks, Director and Co-founder of Race Car Experiences, said: “This is a unique opportunity and a world first. Normally, you’d need thousands of pounds just to make it onto the grid of entry-level motorsport, let alone onto the professional circuit, but not with the FastTrack to Motorsport. When you consider that privateers in motor racing can easily rack up bills of half a million pounds in a year, this has to be the opportunity of a lifetime.”

James added: “For us, it’s hugely exciting, and with the release of the motor racing movie of the summer, Gran Turismo on 11 August, just four days after we open round one of the Championship at Re:Fuel, the timing couldn’t be better. We’re expecting to be inundated with entrants inspired by the film that are looking for that golden opportunity to make it big in the world of motor racing.”

Once the first year of the championship is completed, Race Car Experiences plans to take the Championship to the national level, using immersive motorsport simulator venues across the UK to discover the next big thing in motorsport.

About the Championship

Who can enter?

Anyone with a full UK driver’s licence can enter, or anyone over the age of 16 with a senior race licence.

How do the rounds work?

FastTrack to Motorsport has three rounds, with the top 20 drivers – based on points accumulation - going through to the live semi-final on 07 October. The top ten go through the live final on 21 October.

Round one, launches on 07 August, where drivers will compete against each other in a Clio Cup on the Brands Indy track. Entry costs £30

Round two, which launches on 21 August, pits drivers against each other in a Civic Type R at Donington. Entry costs £30

Round three, which opens on 04 September, takes place at Knockhill and features a BTCC Civic. Entry costs £30

The live Semi-final takes place on 07 October with drivers competing against each other in a Clio Cup at Croft. Entry costs £40

The live Final takes place on 21 October, back at Brands Indy in a BTCC Leon. Entry costs £50

How it works:

In the first three rounds, drivers will have a 10-minute practice followed by 20 minutes of racing to set their hot lap in each round. A maximum of two attempts are permitted per round.

Drivers can complete the rounds as they are released or wait until September when all rounds are available and complete one after the other on the same day. Booking is essential, and practice before entering rounds is permitted.

The Semi-final and final will each have 10 minutes of practice, then 15 minutes of racing for drivers to set their fastest lap. Leader boards will be on display.

What happens to the top three drivers?

The top three drivers from the Championship will be invited to take part in the track day drive-off at Brands Hatch, worth £2,5000. Race Car Experiences will take them through their paces providing tips and training with professional instructors before a drive-off in the 2021 BTCC spec’d Mercedes A Class.

The winner will go forward to compete against other drivers in the Team HARD Racing Scholarship shoot-out. The overall winner will go on to compete for Team HARD Racing and will win the £150,000 scholarship.

What can victory lead to?

Last year’s winner of Team HARD Racing’s conventional track-based Scholarship, 17-year-old racing prodigy Daryl DeLeon, has gone on to win the British Endurance Championship in his first season, and has already been promoted to drive for Team HARD Racing in the remainder or this season’s British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). Drivers in the BTCC have the potential to earn up to £150k a year, plus sponsorship earnings.

Daryl will be setting hot laps as benchmarks for competitors in rounds one, two and three of the FastTrack to Motorsport Championship.

To book a race time and date visit www.apexracecentre.co.uk/book-now.

For more detail, visit www.apexracecentre.co.uk

For more information about Race Car Experiences, visit www.racecarexperiences.co.uk

Devon Craft Gins: Blind Tasting Event

Azu Spirits — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 11:19:59 +0000

Taste six Devon craft gins in a unique blind tasting experience alongside the Chef's selection of the Cridford's menu. Including spirits from Exeter Gin, Copper Frog, Brixham Gin, Papillon, Thunderflower and Dartmouth Gin, explore the diversity of flavours on your doorstep. We'll provide a variety of garnishes so you can find your favourite G&T combination.

A social tasting event, book in a group of six people and receive a free bottle of gin of your choice to take away with you.

£35 p/p

Includes;

Six premium gin & tonics A selection of food provided by the Cridford Inn

Call the Cridford on 01626 853694 to book

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Event Date

Saturday, July 15, 2023 - 3:00pm

Venue

The Cridford Inn, Newton Abbot

Airband rolls out full fibre broadband to another 1,700 homes and businesses

News Desk — Sun, 29 Jan 2023 21:09:14 +0000

Access to full fibre broadband has been rolled out to another 1,700 homes and businesses by internet service provider Airband as part of the Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) programme.

The network of Gigabit capable full fibre broadband is now live in areas of Cotford St Luke, Staplegrove, and Monkton in Somerset, as well as parts of Bradninch, Tiverton, Calverleigh, Cruwys Morchard, Halberton, Nomansland, Withleigh, Powderham, Bishopsteignton, Luscombe and Tavistock in Devon.

Work is also nearing completion on providing access to a further 1,150 homes and businesses in Berry Pomeroy in south Devon, which are all expected to be ready for service in the spring.

Construction is currently ongoing to provide full fibre access to almost 600 premises in Stogumber and West Bagbourough in Somerset where build is expected to be completed this coming spring.

The full-fibre broadband industry is continuing to face national and international pressures affecting a number of areas of the sector including recruitment and retention, supply of materials and civil engineering capacity. To cope with these issues and the additional challenges of building fibre broadband networks in rural areas, such as securing wayleave (land access) agreements, Airband has revised its build plans for its contracted areas covering Taunton, West Somerset, East Devon, Mid Devon, Exeter, Teignbridge and the South Hams. These plans have been agreed with CDS and BDUK (Building Digital UK).

Work is due to start shortly in Somerset to provide access to more than 1,020 premises in Taunton, more than 760 in Neroche, and over 1,070 in parts of Wellington and some of its surrounding communities such as Langford Budville and Holywell Lake.

In Devon, work will be starting this winter to build access to more than 3,000 premises from Exeter to Silverton, almost 900 premises from Thurlestone to Salcombe, over 840 in Dawlish, more than 750 at Stover, over 700 in Dartmouth, more than 600 premises from Marldon to Combe Fishacre, and over 130 premises from Roborough to Elfordleigh.

In the spring, work is scheduled to get underway in parts of Bridgwater, Huntspill, Ruishton, Stoke St Gregory, Westonzoyland, as well as in parts of Colyton, Gittisham and Sidmouth.

Redmond Peel, Founder and Director of Airband, said: “We’re very pleased with the progress made on this project so far, and encouraged by the number of households and businesses that are already benefitting from it. Many more people have registered interest in the project, which bodes very well for the region as a whole in terms of increased access to the benefits of FTTP broadband. Compared with more urban settings, building, maintaining and upgrading rural broadband networks can present some unique challenges – for instance to date, across the whole project, we have applied for and obtained over 550 wayleaves. Working closely with CDS, we strive to meet these challenges head on and are looking forward to connecting many more communities in 2023 and beyond.”

Councillor Rufus Gilbert, CDS Board Member and Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery and Skills, said: “It’s excellent news that thousands more people now have access to gigabit capable full fibre broadband and that work is due to get underway to provide even more connections. A huge amount of infrastructure work is due to take place over the next 12 months which will eventually provide access to a further 14,000 premises.”

Councillor Mike Rigby, CDS Board Member and Somerset County Council Lead Member for Transport and Digital, said: “It’s encouraging to see progress being made right across the board. I’m sure people that are in areas that can now order a service will take advantage of the gigabit capable full fibre broadband that’s available and more will gain access in the spring. I’m looking forward to seeing even more build getting underway over the coming months.”

Karl Tucker, Chair of the Heart of the South West LEP, said: “Rural connectivity is vital to improving productivity and prosperity across the Heart of the South West. It’s fantastic that thousands more homes and businesses will benefit from full fibre broadband, helping to keep communities connected, and ensure businesses don’t miss out on going digital.”

CDS has delivered superfast access to more homes and businesses than any other broadband programme in England, with over 315,000 premises receiving access to superfast broadband as a direct result of investment by CDS. Airband has delivered broadband access to more than 22,400 homes on behalf of CDS.

Build dates can be found on Airband’s website at https://wholesale.airband.co.uk/cds/

Exeter lawyers 'raising the bar' with rebranding and expansion plans

Glen King PR — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 11:17:37 +0000

A firm of commercial law specialists, formerly known as Bertram Law, providing advice on corporate, commercial, and property law, is ‘raising the bar’ following a major move from Marsh Barton to larger offices at Pynes Hill, Exeter, and rebranding as Bertram Fairbanks.

Neal Bertram working with a number of law firms across Exeter since 1994 and formerly a commercial litigation partner at Bertram Law, has accepted an investment from Andy Fairbanks to create Bertram Fairbanks to expand what is a niche business model, in order to help stand out from other solicitors across the city and beyond. Turnover for Bertram Fairbanks in the 1st complete financial year is expected to be £1 – 2 million.

Andy Fairbanks joins the company as an investor and co-director which now operates through an alternative business structure (ABS). ABS is a firm that has non-lawyers in its ownership and management structure. This allows firms to involve key people who bring additional experience and skills.

Neal Bertram said: “Andy is a well-known and respected entrepreneur in the Southwest, and I am delighted that we are working together on this exciting chapter for the newly formed company. His extensive experience in business growth and challenging the status quo will cement the firm’s commitment to becoming one of the leading commercial Law Firms in the Southwest. The unique partnership enables us to position ourselves as a niche commercial practice, not a full-service law firm. This means our team of commercial solicitors and business experts is able to provide a friendly, personal, and hands-on approach to our clients who will have a designated senior lawyer personally looking after them.”

He explains: “Excellent client service is at the core of our practice in order to support their individual commercial business requirements, offering pragmatic advice and getting results. We achieve this by working closely with them in order to fully gain an understanding of their expected objectives and outcome, which in turn allows us to provide the very best practical advice. Close working relations and customer care are key to our business model ensuring excellent service. Our USP is that we are both approachable and affordable, with each client given a designated relationship manager to look after their business needs and actively maintain communication, in order to give the best service. In addition, they will have a senior lawyer who will be in charge of their file, so they feel valued, and we actively encourage their feedback to make sure we are on the right track.”

He adds: “Bertram Fairbanks acts for a wide range of clients and is proud to be based in the heart of Exeter servicing clients across Devon, the Southwest, and beyond. We are committed to contributing and investing in the local business community rather than growing and expanding nationally or internationally.”

Andy Fairbanks is CEO of Progen Power Ltd., a company supporting a diverse clientele with temporary power solutions, handling a wide variety of projects including festivals, concerts, and high-profile sporting events across the UK.

Mr. Fairbanks said: “I’ve known Neal for some time and have huge respect for him, so when he approached me with regards to going into partnership, I didn’t hesitate. I’ve dealt with many lawyers through my multiple businesses, and some can over-complicate matters, which in turn incurs unnecessary large bills. That’s not how it works at Bertram Fairbanks; the firm really listens to the client’s needs and acts appropriately in an efficient and reasonably priced manner.”

He comments further: “The new ultra-modern offices are stunning, and we’ve purposely used local contractors to carry out the extensive renovation as we feel it’s important that we invest in our community. It’s a stimulating and cool environment to work in and includes our very own champagne and spirits bar called the ‘Belvedere Lounge’ and there is also a breakout area for staff and clients to have fun. We don’t want to be a cliché firm of stuffy solicitors and are very approachable to clients, so we don’t wear jackets or ties. It’s much more relaxed whilst still remaining professional and we think Exeter is ready for something different.”

One of the first new team members to be recruited to Bertram Fairbanks is Annelie Carver who has worked with large and regional law firms in Exeter and the Southwest; as well as being a General Counsel and Company Secretary for a full list of PLC. Annelie will be providing corporate and commercial legal advice and is well-regarded within the legal sector. For the last 7 years, she has been running her own legal consultancy business before being head-hunted by Neal to come back into private practice at Bertram Fairbanks.

Annelie Carver, Partner and head of corporate and commercial – Bertram Fairbanks said: “I’ve worked with Neal before, and he contacted me whilst I was self-employed asking me to provide some ad-hoc legal consultancy services for Bertram Law. This involved advising Neal on Andy’s investment into the practice as well as working for a range of commercial clients. I was impressed with Neal and Andy’s vision of creating a new modern niche commercial law firm. Neal then asked if I knew of any corporate lawyers who would be suitable to deal with compliance and help run the law firm at which point, I said that I would be delighted to join the new firm. I’m really enjoying my role as a partner as well as helping to recruit and train new staff and very much looking forward to the exciting future of Bertram Fairbanks.”

https://bertramfairbanks.co.uk/

Spirits specialists release their first ‘host-your-own’ Whisky Club tasting sets.

Azu Spirits — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 14:20:56 +0000

Azu Spirits blind tasting sets are centred around sharing. Offering a range of Scotch whisky and British gin tasting sets, they have now released a host-your-own Whisky Club series to run alongside their monthly tasting events.

A 5 month series with 30 single malts to explore and a new theme every tasting, each set includes 6 100ml sharing bottles, a guide, tasting tips, a flyer exploring the particular theme, and the ‘reveal’ envelope for when you’re ready to discover which is which. The series is sold online at https://www.azuspirits.co.uk/whiskyclubathome for £96 and includes plenty for 4 - 6 people to share.

The current Whisky Club series is based around exploring the roots of flavour, and themes include the Regions of Scotland, Peat, Distillation and Maturation, ending with a Burns Night Special finale. In the spirit of blind tasting, Azu has included a ‘blind tasting challenge’ in every box to reflect the particular theme. For example, in the first tasting set, the blind tasting challenge is whether you can identify the six regions, in the ‘Peat in Scotch whisky’ tasting set, you can explore the impact of peat by trying to identify which peated and unpeated expressions come from the same distillery.

A blend of indulgence, entertainment and education. The Whisky Club offers those interested in Scotch whisky an exploration into the fascinating spirit. An opportunity to expand their whisky collection, by January 2023 Azu Spirits will have ‘Build your own’ tasting sets available with a choice of over 35 single malt whiskies.

As well as their winter whisky series, Azu is releasing a smaller introduction to the blind tasting, with 6 x 30ml bottles great for one or two people in addition to their original 6 x 100ml sharing boxes. Designed as the perfect gift for a whisky or gin lover, and to introduce those interested in the blind tasting before they go on to share with friends. Coming soon

Volvo Group UK Ltd adopts Devon waterless urinal tech to reduce emissions impact

charleyabsolutepr — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 08:08:10 +0000

Volvo Group UK Ltd is adopting Devon waterless urinal technology at its UK HQ in Warwick, and its Felixstowe Renault Truck Commercials Depot, to help cut CO2 and water waste. The flushless urinals are part of the organisation’s commitment to reach net-zero by 2040, covering direct and energy indirect emissions from operations, purchased goods and services.

The roll-out of the waterless urinals, provided by Exeter-based Smarti Environmental, is set to slash Volvo Group UK Ltd’s carbon footprint from its washrooms by 105kg of CO2 per urinal, per year. The switch from flushing to waterless urinals also prevents 100,000 litres of water from being wasted by every urinal annually.

The latest waterless urinals to be fitted at Volvo Group’s UK operations are the most eco-friendly in the world. In addition to saving water and CO2, the Smarti Environmental Vortex TSV uses an eco-friendly bio-block enzyme ring to make urine PH neutral. Paired with an enzyme spray that eats odours and bacteria for 24 hours – ending the need for harsh chemical cleaners – Smarti’s solution dramatically reduces the energy required to process urine in sewerage treatment, further reducing the environmental impact of their urinals.

Commenting on the installation, Adam Boyes, UK Property & Facility Manager, Volvo Group UK Ltd, said: “As a business, we have set Science Based Targets covering all relevant emissions, from production as well as customer use phase. The environmental footprint from our operations is relatively small compared to that from the use phase of our products. Nevertheless, we are constantly considering climate and the environmental footprint from our industrial activities. As we strive for more sustainable production, we continuously reduce waste and emissions, and are actively looking at ways to optimise water. That’s why, among many other measures, we have chosen to adopt Smarti Environmental’s waterless urinal technology.”

Kimberley Hill, New Business Development Manager at Smarti Environmental, commented: “World leading brands, such as Volvo Group, are increasingly putting carbon-neutralising initiatives at the top of their corporate priority list.

“We hope that Volvo Group’s decision to adopt waterless urinals will make other businesses and organisations think seriously about how they too can cut their impact on the planet. For organisations looking to a Net Zero future, we provide a valuable part of the solution, helping businesses save the planet, one pee at a time."

Currently, there are around 3.5 million water-supplied urinals in the UK. If all went waterless, that would be equivalent to taking 100,000 diesel cars off the road, at the same time as saving 217 billion litres of water from being treated unnecessarily each year. Switching to waterless urinals also saves up to £1,200 per year for every three urinals in use.

To encourage the move to flushless urinals, Smarti Environmental is offering large organisations with 100 or more urinals within their group, a free washroom trial for 3-months, including free installation of its retro-fit waterless Vortex triple seal valves. Smaller businesses can also benefit from savings of more than 50% compared to the cost of running conventional flushing urinals.

Smarti Environmental’s waterless urinals are used both by private and public sector organisations including the NHS. In addition to cutting costs, water use and emissions, its waterless one-way multi-valve technology stops bad odours and the spread of viruses through the absence of airborne aerosol germs created by flushing urinals. Made from fully recyclable materials, they fit 98% of standard urinals with no need to change urinal bowls.

Used in conjunction with Smarti’s eco-friendly, odour-eating and bacteria/virus busting SteriKleen surface spray, urinal cleaning is reduced to once every 24 hours, consisting of a wipe, spray and walk away process that leaves urinals clean and fresh. This makes switching to waterless urinals simple and easy, enabling businesses to Build Back Better and Greener.

Smarti also uses an in-pipe pipe-pod bio-tablet that breaks down uric acid and bio film proteins during use, lubricating sewerage pipes to prevent blocked pipes. Additionally, Smarti Environmental replaces pipework that has been blocked or partially blocked resulting from the chemical reaction between water and urine, when installing its waterless valves to existing urinal bowls.