Central Garages Torbay continue support for 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 2025 season, with ‘The Central Garages Torbay’  Spring / Autumn Autocross.

“It’s been a difficult time for Autocross over recent years” said Torbay Motor Club chairman Roy Sims, “Events have received low entries, which has meant some clubs having to cancel events, 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.”

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 continue our sponsorship of Torbay Motor Club with their Autocross events, as both of my children, Luke and Polly, are now competing in this discipline.”

“Autocross is a great place for young people to start competitive motorsport,” said Simon, “as the Junior Autocross Class runs from the ages of 14 to 17. In fact, if your 14th birthday falls in December, it is quite possible you could undertake a full season of Autocross at just 13!”

“Junior drivers can also compete in speed events” added Simon, “as back in 2021, UK Motorsport changed to rules to permit junior drivers using standard cars of up to 1400cc, to compete in both hillclimbs and sprints.”

Luke is now 19 with Polly 15 and, driving their MG ZR’s, both drivers had the most incredible seasons last year. 

In just her second full season of competition, and after a season long battle with her brother, Polly won the Association of South Western Motor Clubs 1st Choice Finishes Autocross Championship. The gap between siblings was just three points at the end of the season, with Luke finishing runner-up for the third time. Polly also won the associations ‘Under 21’ and ‘Allrounders’ championships.

Last season, both Luke and Polly dipped their toes into speed events, Luke driving his self-built 1460cc A series Mini and Polly, another MG ZR.

For the 2025 season, Luke will race a 1600cc K series engined lightweight Mini in Autocross, and will once again drive his 1460cc Mini in hillclimbs and sprints, whilst Polly will use her MG ZR in Autocross, and a diminutive 1300cc Daihatsu Copen in speed events

Both drivers have already raced this year, taking part in the opening round of the Torbay Motor Club Speed Championship at Clay Pigeon, near Dorchester. Polly won the junior class, whilst Luke’s progress was interrupted by engine issues.

Both drivers were out competing last weekend when, along with father Simon, they took part in the opening round of the 2025 Association of South Western Motor Clubs 1st Choice Finishes Autocross Championship, organised by Torbay Motor Club.

“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 87, 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.”