This year’s Western Group of Motoring Writers Driving Day, which was held at our new venue, was another huge success.
In all, 44 cars, pick-ups and vans from 28 brands were available to drive at the event – and there were more than 250 test drives in total - meaning that DD26 was our busiest Driving Day since before COVID.
We welcomed more than 40 PR guests and the vehicles available included models from Driving Day newcomers AION and Geely.
Most brands were able to spare personnel to attend, but where that wasn’t possible, cars were sent ahead.
Representatives from BMW, Ford, AION, Honda, Kia, Mazda, Renault, Isuzu, KGM, Toyota, INEOS, Lexus, Xpeng, Kia, MINI, Hyundai, Subaru, Land Rover, Genesis, BYD, Suzuki and the Stellantis Group made it on the day.
After three successful years at the Haynes Motor Museum, this year's Western Group Driving Day was the first to be staged at our new venue - Stanton Manor Hotel, near Chippenham, Wiltshire.
Ideally located along the M4 corridor (just off junction 17), not only is it a lovely hotel, but there are two rapid charging stations (EV Power and Ionity) within a few minutes’ drive.
Despite the rain, the open-sided Citroen Ami Buggy proved to be popular, but it was another French car that created the biggest buzz of the day.
Renault brought along a left-hand drive Twingo to give guests and Western Group members an early taste of the funky new city EV.
Handmade Bristol Blue Glass trophies were awarded for the most driven car of the day and the participant who drove the most cars on the day.
The ‘Car of the Day’ was the reborn Honda Prelude, while the ‘Driver of the Day’ title was tied between Ford's Andy Benson and Suzuki's Alun Parry. Andy magnanimously allowed Alun to take the trophy home.
A charity raffle was held, along with an auction for 2026 BMW PGA Championship tickets, plus a BMW M Motorsport ride-on 'Baby Racer'. More than £650 was raised on the day, and it will be split between WOMAC and another South West charity to be confirmed at the Group’s next meeting.
This year’s event was as enjoyable as ever with a broad range of vehicles available to drive and a rough 60:40 mix of electric and ICE cars.
Naturally, it also provided an opportunity to network. And on that note, we were also joined by Oliver Rowe and Liz Turner from MICA (the Motor Industry Communicators Association).
The feedback from DD26 has been really positive, and we're already looking ahead to next year’s event, which has a provisional date of Thursday, 3 June, 2027.
