Left to right, Edmund Bailey, Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Gwynedd, with David Hodgetts, managing director of Honda UK, Ben Taylor, managing director of Wales Rally GB and WMW chairman Huw Thomas. Dayinsure Wales Rally GB has been awarded the highest accolade by Welsh Motoring Writers, as recipient of the Tom Pryce Memorial Trophy, while Honda UK's has received the Terry Davies Automotive Award, recognising its reliance on component suppliers in Wales for production at its Swindon plant.
The team behind Dayinsure Wales Rally GB – the UK round of the FIA World Rally Championship – have produced a truly world class rally experience which has attracted significant investment and provided a real boost to the local economy.
The spectacle of top-class drivers and cars vying with each other against the backdrop of the towering mountains and dramatic coastline of Wales has created a following for it going well beyond the ranks of those already into rallying.
The Terry Davies Automotive Award 2018 recognises Honda's excellence in automotive engineering, and its investment in Swindon marked the beginning of a turnaround in the fortunes of the UK’s motor industry.
The team behind Dayinsure Wales Rally GB – the UK round of the FIA World Rally Championship – have produced a truly world class rally experience which has attracted significant investment and provided a real boost to the local economy.
The spectacle of top-class drivers and cars vying with each other against the backdrop of the towering mountains and dramatic coastline of Wales has created a following for it going well beyond the ranks of those already into rallying.
The Terry Davies Automotive Award 2018 recognises Honda's excellence in automotive engineering, and its investment in Swindon marked the beginning of a turnaround in the fortunes of the UK’s motor industry.
Ben Taylor (right), managing director of Wales Rally GB, receives the Tom Pryce Memorial Trophy from Edmund Bailey, Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for Gwynedd. The awards were presented by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Gwynedd Edmund Bailey at the Quay Hotel & Spa, Deganwy which overlooks the historic and picturesque Conwy estuary.
Ben Taylor, managing director of Dayinsure Wales Rally GB said. “This is a huge honour and one that I’m delighted to receive on behalf of the entire team.
"It takes an enormous effort from so many people throughout the year to put together these four days in October, and this award is due recognition for all of them.
"We are extremely proud of what we have achieved in recent years, not just in the creation of a world class rally but also in the development of an event that takes its place alongside other great Welsh attractions and makes such a significant contribution to the people, communities and businesses of Wales”.
Ben Taylor, managing director of Dayinsure Wales Rally GB said. “This is a huge honour and one that I’m delighted to receive on behalf of the entire team.
"It takes an enormous effort from so many people throughout the year to put together these four days in October, and this award is due recognition for all of them.
"We are extremely proud of what we have achieved in recent years, not just in the creation of a world class rally but also in the development of an event that takes its place alongside other great Welsh attractions and makes such a significant contribution to the people, communities and businesses of Wales”.
Edmund Bailey, Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for Gwynedd presents the Terry Davies Automotive Award to David Hodgetts, managing director of Honda UK. David Hodgetts, managing director of Honda UK, said: “We are delighted to be this year’s recipients of the prestigious Terry Davies Automotive Award.
"Our factory in Swindon, which produces both the five door Civic hatchback and Civic Type R for a global audience, currently works with eight suppliers who are based in Wales and spends nearly £50m with those businesses every year. The Welsh link in our supply chain is vital to our operations and long may this continue!”
Huw Thomas, WMW chairman added: “Welsh sporting prowess is headline-grabbing stuff at present and the Dayinsure Wales Rally GB has put this aspect of motorsport here up there with soccer, rugby and cycling as unequivocally world class showing the country at its best. The concluding road section around the Great Orme, Llandudno during this year’s rally was truly spectacular.
“Honda Motor Company Ltd has grown from Soichiro Honda’s 1940s workshop for motorcycles in a modest wooden shed into a global automotive manufacturer with engineering excellence as its touchstone.
"Its impact on the UK motor industry has been immense and its long-standing relationship with the automotive sector in Wales of great significance to the economy here. The opportunity to recognise the achievements of both recipients this year has been a privilege and a pleasure.”
Photos: Erfyl Davies
"Our factory in Swindon, which produces both the five door Civic hatchback and Civic Type R for a global audience, currently works with eight suppliers who are based in Wales and spends nearly £50m with those businesses every year. The Welsh link in our supply chain is vital to our operations and long may this continue!”
Huw Thomas, WMW chairman added: “Welsh sporting prowess is headline-grabbing stuff at present and the Dayinsure Wales Rally GB has put this aspect of motorsport here up there with soccer, rugby and cycling as unequivocally world class showing the country at its best. The concluding road section around the Great Orme, Llandudno during this year’s rally was truly spectacular.
“Honda Motor Company Ltd has grown from Soichiro Honda’s 1940s workshop for motorcycles in a modest wooden shed into a global automotive manufacturer with engineering excellence as its touchstone.
"Its impact on the UK motor industry has been immense and its long-standing relationship with the automotive sector in Wales of great significance to the economy here. The opportunity to recognise the achievements of both recipients this year has been a privilege and a pleasure.”
Photos: Erfyl Davies
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