Central Garages Torbay to support Torbay Motor Club Autocross

Torbay Motor Club has announced that Central Garages Torbay will be continuing their support of the clubs Autocross events into the 2024 season, with ‘The Central Garages Torbay’  Spring / Autumn Autocross.

“It’s been a difficult time recently for the sport” said Torbay Motor Club chairman Roy Sims, “so this support is a great bonus for the club and competitors alike. 

“The Ashley family, Central Garages and Torbay Motor Club go back a long way together” said Simon Ashley.”

“Beginning with my father and uncles competing in speed events during the sixties and seventies, then with myself during the nineties, when our garage sponsored the popular Torquay Oddicombe hillclimb.”

Simon himself entered the hillclimb and sprint scene in 1991 at just 21 years of age He began in a Ford powered Royal RP31M, before moving to a Ralt RT3 two years later. A race car which took him to numerous awards, including several fastest times of the day and even outright records.

In 2002, Simon moved to circuit racing, competing for five years at Castle Combe in Wiltshire, where he became Formula Ford champion.

However, now, it’s time for a new generation of the Ashley family to join Torbay Motor Club and cut their teeth in the world of competitive motorsport.

“It’s a pleasure to once again sponsor Torbay Motor Club with their Autocross events, as both of my children, Luke and Polly, are now competing in this discipline.”

In 2022, aged just 16, Luke Ashley had a spectacular second season in autocross in his MG ZR saloon, resulting in a highly commendable second place in the Association of South Western Motor Clubs 1st Choice Finishes Autocross Championship. In 2023, after a season-long battle with Exeter Motor Club’s Gemma Raymond, Luke once again finished second, this time by a single point, whilst younger sister Polly finished second in her class and fifth overall.

In the most recent event, ‘The Central Garages Torbay’ Spring Autocross (the opening round of the Association of South-Western Motor Clubs 1st Choice Finishes Autocross Championship), Luke finished second in class, well ahead of his nemesis Gemma Raymond, so maybe things are looking up for 2024.

“Autocross is a great place for young people to start competitive motorsport,” said Roy Sims, “as the Junior Autocross Class runs from the ages of 14 to 17. As a way to encourage more competitors to enter, UK Motorsport the sports governing body, recently released a short video entitled ‘What is Autocross?’ which can be accessed via https://youtu.be/Zxb9Pi2MDlI or by searching YouTube.”

“Central Garage was formed in 1954” said Simon, “shortly after Torbay Motor Club.”

“My Grandfather, Norman Ashley, began the business in Brixham out of a small Milton Street workshop with two petrol pumps. The enterprise flourished, with a Torquay branch opening in 1995 and is now in its fourth generation, with Luke joining us and my father Peter, now 86 still working six days a week!”

“We hope our support will help the Torbay Motor Club continue to run highly successful Autocross events in the future.”