Scotland Ash News

Randstad Ltd has held its annual TerraClean conference, which brought together service centres to network, exchange ideas and opinions and ultimately consult on the brand’s numerous marketing plans in 2018.

The network, which now boasts hundreds of independently owned garages and mobile engineers, had to be relocated to a new venue this year to accommodate the increasing number of service centres wishing to attend.

Held at the Marriot hotel, Gosforth Park, this year’s conference focused on TerraClean marketing in 2018. Following in-depth consultation and debate, each service centre was given the opportunity to vote for their preferred marketing activity. More details to be announced soon. In the evening, service centres continued networking while being treated to an excellent three course meal and a comedy themed event with three comedians performing on stage.

Phillip Dowd, Randstad sales director, said: “The event was one of the liveliest and most engaging yet, thanks to the TerraClean network now being firmly established as one of the largest and prominent networks in the automotive aftermarket.

“It was great to hear service centres’ passion for the TerraClean brand and how collectively they want to push it forward in 2018. Our activity, across many platforms, is designed to do just that. What’s more, we recognise that our conference is about bringing together like-minded businesses with the ability to network at an event like no other. Independent garages face considerable pressures and so the fact that they can share their experiences with fellow garages under the TerraClean umbrella demonstrates how tight-knit a network we have become.”

Peter Welch of TerraClean Service Centre, Scotlands Ash Garage, Didcot said: “It’s really encouraging to see growing numbers joining the TerraClean network year on year, and this year’s event proved to be no exception. No other supplier goes to the lengths that Randstad does; through these meet-ups you always get a clear sense of the effort it puts in to driving business into our workshop.”

Scotlands Ash Garage, based in Didcot, has appointed Andrew Jubber in the new position of auto electrical specialist and vehicle technician.

Andrew has extensive experience in the motor trade having entered the industry in 1983 before going self-employed as a mobile auto electrical technician in 2001.

He is skilled in car, commercial vehicle and marine and joins the award-winning garage with a view to ensuring the business remains ahead of the competition when it comes to diagnosing and repairing electrical faults on modern vehicles.

Andrew said: “I’ve known Peter Welch for nearly 30 years, so when the opportunity came to join the team I couldn’t say no. The business is incredibly forward thinking and with the amount of electrical content on vehicles increasing dramatically, I am here to ensure we maintain our reputation of being a leading garage that can service and repair modern vehicles.”

Peter Welch, Scotland’s Ash Garage proprietor, said: “We’re delighted to have Andrew on board. He has a wealth of experience that will complement the team. In addition to our investment in the latest tools and equipment, we also invest in our people and Andrew has now undertaken his MOT testing accreditations.”

Colin Turkington will head to the final race weekend of the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch in a head to head battle for the title.

Just 10 points cover championship leader Ash Sutton and TerraClean ambassador Colin Turkington following a frenetic race weekend at Silverstone. The championship finale at Brands Hatch takes place from 30 September to 1 October 2017.

In the first two races on Sunday 17 September at Silverstone, the BMW driver pulled out all the stops to ensure he out-scored his rivals.  Turkington edged his way up the field from 8th to 4th in race 1 and made his way up to P3 in the opening laps of Race 2. Despite a last corner attempt at usurping him from the podium, Colin eventually claimed 3rd.

Race 3 was an unfortunate end to the day, as contact on lap 1 saw Colin spinning off the track before re-joining in P21.  The BMW 125i M Sport suffered heavy damage that forced a visit to the pits for repairs. Turkington emerged to finish the race in P22, scoring valuable manufacturer points.

Turkington said: “Learning to deal with the ups and downs is all is par for the course in the BTCC and over the years I’ve learnt how to manage it and turn the frustrations into a positive. There isn’t time to lick our wounds from race 3 – we’re fully focused on the ultimate goal. It’s game on!

“Brands Hatch GP is one of my favourite circuits and one where I’ve enjoyed huge success in the past with BMW and West Surrey Racing. I have full confidence in Team BMW, the 1 Series and myself that we can do this.  Second place is not an option for me.”

Phillip Dowd, Randstad Ltd sales director, UK home of the TerraClean brand, said: “It is all set to be a thrilling finale to the BTCC season and the entire TerraClean family is behind Colin as he bids for a third championship title.”

TerraClean ambassador and double BTCC champion, Colin Turkington, has placed himself in contention for a third championship, lying second in the standings with just two events to go.

Turkington’s consistency has shone through recently, recording three top 6 finishes in the most recent races to keep him firmly in the fight for the 2017 crown.  He is the only driver to have qualified in the top five at every event so far and continues to exercise his impeccable ‘clean and fast’ racing technique.

Driving for Team BMW and WSR in the 125i M Sport, Turkington is quietly confident for the upcoming races at Silverstone on 16-17 September and final races of the season at Brands Hatch from 30 to 1 October.

He said: “I’ve been around long enough to know the twists and turns are far from over and I’m hoping my best spell is yet to come. I’m ruling nobody out just yet, and I’ll be doing everything in my control to continue to bring my ‘A Game’ in just over two weeks’ time.”

Phillip Dowd, Randstad Ltd sales director, UK home of the TerraClean brand, said: “The entire TerraClean service centre network is behind Colin with two events left this season. He has made time in his busy schedule to attend our awards and karting event and this has made him a very popular member of the TerraClean family.”

Peter Welch, proprietor of Scotlands Ash Garage, has gone through a tough time over the past few years, for which he was commended for at the TerraClean Awards 2016, held at Holiday Inn Northumberland,, achieving the ‘Above and Beyond’ award.

For Peter, a further surprise lay in store at the event as he was joined on stage by wife Ruth and daughter Libby, who made the trip to the event without Peter knowing. Libby was diagnosed with a nerve sheath tumour at the age of just 20 and is recovering well. Meanwhile, Peter was diagnosed with prostate cancer and is also recovering well. The award acknowledged the incredible journey the family had taken.

Scotlands Ash Garage proprietor, Peter Welch, said: “My complete gratitude goes to TerraClean for this award and for the constant support I have received during this tough period from family, friends and customers.”

Phill Dowd, Randstad (TerraClean) sales manager, said: “Despite the difficult situation, Peter has always remained positive and simply grateful that he had been given the opportunity to allow for early treatment. He took inspiration from his family and battled cancer head-on. We were thrilled to present the ‘Above and Beyond’ award to such a brave and hardworking member of the TerraClean family.”

Welch’s family-run garage is a well-known contributor to the Didcot community with the garage regularly sponsoring local events such as Astonbury, as well as local football team, Wallingford Town FC. The garage is also an active fundraiser, donating £1 for every MOT it carries out to the Teenage Cancer Trust. In 2016, the garage donated more than £2000 to the charity and has carried on the initiative into 2017.

In March April and May 2017 we have raised £492.08p for the Teenage Cancer trust, this is through a collection box and donating £1 from every MOT carried out!

Thank you to everyone who has donated!

The total amount raised is £3,466.18 up to the end of May 2017.

We will keep you informed of our ongoing progress. Look out for updates.

 

Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

With summer just around the corner it is important to ensure your vehicle is prepared for longer journeys if you are setting off on holiday or are having to endure long commutes in the warmer weather.

One of the biggest problems we are experiencing at this time of year is air conditioning failures. This comes as no surprise as with the weather beginning to heat up after a long, typical British winter, drivers reach for their air conditioning (A /C) for the first time in months.

The problem here is that if you leave you’re A /C off for months at a time it can cause the system to break down.

When the A /C is switched on, the coolant lubricates rubber seals and pipework helping to keep them in a good condition. Naturally, if the system is not used for a long interval these parts are not kept lubricated.

Moisture can also accumulate as it is not being pushed out regularly causing mould and bacteria. This is then blown into the car when you turn the A / C back on.

If it is too late for your system, don’t fret, we have the tools to bring it back to life and ensure you are the coolest driver on the road this summer.

And when the summer months inevitably come to an end, we recommend using your air conditioning every week or so on the coldest level to circulate coolant throughout the system. If you want to stay warm in the winter, you can always leave you’re A / C on and turn the heater to warm.

The TerraClean network of service centres have come to the aid of Renault Clip Cup racing driver Shayne Deegan of SDR Motorsport, after he suffered a major crash in the series at Donington recently.

The side-impact crash resulted in his car being ruled out for the rest of the season – but the engine de-carbonising brand TerraClean has stepped up and got behind the driver, sponsoring him and helping to arrange a new car for the remainder of the series.

Deegan is part of TerraClean service centre Regency Autos, based in Cambridge. He  said: “When this sort of thing happens you fear the worst and I’m incredibly grateful that the TerraClean ‘family’ has stepped in and saved our season. We will all be working extremely hard now to get back on our feet and push forward up the championship.”

The TerraClean network also sponsors PP Motorsport’s James Colburn, also in the UK Clio Cup, as well as former double British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) Champion, Colin Turkington.

A TerraClean service, which restores a vehicle’s performance, reduces emissions and improves MPG is available in the UK from Randstad Ltd and delivered through a national network of service centres. Phillip Dowd, Randstad sales director, said: “The TerraClean network of service centres continues to prove it is the most generous and helpful network of its kind to fellow service centres. We are a very tight-knit network and so when we heard of Shayne’s crash and its implications, the network rallied together and voted to support Deegan and his SDR Motorsport team for the rest of 2017.”

“It takes a great deal of effort, hard work and funding to prepare for this cup and it is extremely unfortunate that this has happened to Shayne so early on in the season. However, we are determined to get him back on track and look forward to helping him on his road to recovery and seeing him shine once more.”

Randstad, via its engine decarbonising brand TerraClean, is sponsoring both PP Motorsport in the UK Clio Cup and double British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) champion, Colin Turkington for the second year running.

Turkington narrowly missed out on top spot last year and is on track for another successful season with TerraClean’s full support after recently claiming a win at Thruxton and currently standing third in the table.

Turkington said: “I’m delighted to receive TerraClean’s support once again and I am thoroughly enjoying the race for top spot so far. Not only is TerraClean great for the environment as it reduces harmful emissions, but it also benefits a motorist’s pocket as they can save on increased MPG and complete performance restoration.”

Meanwhile, the PP Motorsport sponsorship sees the TerraClean logo running along both sides of the team’s car, as well as on all PP Motorsport clothing, including the driver’s – James Colburn – racing suit.

John Creasey, PP Motorsport team owner, said: “It’s fantastic that we have TerraClean on board for a second year. We are making strides towards our goal of pushing up the table and TerraClean’s support is a huge help.”

Phillip Dowd, Randstad sales director, said: “With close to 40,000 track-side crowds and live coverage on ITV4, the opportunity will continue to increase brand exposure and generate intrigue and custom to the growing network of TerraClean service centres, all of which are supported by our new national TV advertising campaign.”