Driven by success - Driving experts plan new home at Seighford Airfield
A former RAF airfield at Seighford, North West of Stafford has been the subject of speculation recently on plans for a driving activity centre. The brains behind the idea are three entrepreneurs from the North West who love driving and want to share this passion.
Allan Davies, Paul Evans and Andy Davies were test driving and demonstrating with most of the world’s leading car manufacturers and experience companies before forming Driveme.net Ltd. in 2002. They began driver experiences at Oulton Park in Cheshire, but in 2004 found Seighford airfield more flexible on availability and better at meeting the “experience” market rather than the “speed” user. Driveme has been running driver experience days there ever since.
Allan Davies, director of Driveme.net Ltd. explains;
“Driveme.net Ltd runs a range of professionally run driving experiences for members of the general public or for corporate events. All cars are fitted with dual controls and have a competent instructor in attendance at all times to ensure the safety of the customer. Visitors attend a health and safety briefing before they get into any vehicle.
The instructor is there to teach, coach and train the customers about driving safely in various conditions and the handling characteristics of the vehicles. The experiences give the customers an insight into how to drive their own vehicles more capably. It also gives customers the chance to drive cars they’ve always wanted to drive; supercars such as a Ferrari or Aston Martin. Other experiences include driving techniques in the wet and off-road.
Junior driving experiences are also offered for youngsters between the ages of 12 and 16 years old. These experiences typically involve driving a small car safely and the dangers involved are highlighted. Driveme have also held sessions at Seighford for those with impaired vision.
The circuit has been used by motor manufacturers to demonstrate new features of their cars to their sales team with Driveme instructors. Peugeot launched the 308 and the 4007, Mercedes launched the new C Class and Renault launched the new Laguna during 2007 at Seighford.”
Talking about any plans for the future Allan added; “It is not a speed circuit or about racing and no owner cars are permitted. The plans are seeking to redesign it with more bends to test the driving and handling skills of our customers. We would love to invest in the site to have a world-class driving experience facility here in Stafford. This would include an eco-friendly visitor and hospitality centre, a maintenance and storage area, specialised and dedicated vehicle tracks, and landscaping to include car parking and protection of the natural habitat & wildlife involving the local community too.
Visitors like Seighford as it is friendly and they like the convenience of the M6 and the local rail station. But we are so limited with what we can do without purpose built facilities.”
Driveme has grown into one of the largest suppliers of experiences in the UK. Turnover increased twofold last year and staff numbers have increased to 10 full and 25 part-time staff based at Stafford.
Ends: 508 words
PHOTOS (300dpi plus), PRESS OFFICE & REGULAR UPDATES at <a href=”http://www.marketingprojects.co.uk/clientpo/95/news ”>www.marketingprojects.co.uk/clientpo/95/news
driveme.net Ltd. provides professionally guided driving experiences for the general public and corporate driving days for team building and client invitation. It also instructs less able and partially sighted visitors and young drivers 12 to 16 years old in a safe and fully supervised driving environment.
The driveme.net range of experiences include driving under supervision or being driven in road legal vehicles that include saloon cars, higher powered performance cars and 4×4’s.
Press Contacts: Marketing Projects T: 01244 330000 W: <a href=”http://www.marketingprojects.co.uk/clientpo/95/news ”>www.marketingprojects.co.uk/clientpo/95/news W: www.driveme.net/staffordactivitycentre
Phil Brotherhood Jane Harrad-Roberts E: phil@marketingprojects.co.uk jane@marketingprojects.co.uk M: 07884 493370 M: 07785 395705
Return to Driveme.net listings
> Return to Client Press Office
