The Toyota Parallel Pomeroy Trophy was designed for all aspiring Toyota owners and enthusiasts to gather and compete in a series of events at the racing circuit, Silverstone.
The question is now, why don’t other car manufacturers do these events for their customers?
You can see why Toyota are one of the best companies, when it comes to customer relations.
Toyota GB stand at the Parallel trophy 2019
With roughly 35 Toyota’s competing, and owners coming from across the country it was certainly a day to remember. A range of different Toyota models competed, ranging from the tiny iQ up to the sporty rally-influenced Celica GT4.
The event was very professional, everyone was treated with respect and all the cars had full appreciation. The day began with having to sign in along with gathering all the information of what to expect from the day.
Toyota Yaris T Sport Phase 2 and 1, Toyota Yaris GRMN
Every car was given a number and all cars went through scrutineering to make sure that they were road worthy. Leading onto a competitors briefing just to go through all of the rules to make sure no one cheats or fails.
Three auto tests were set to see how each car performed. Test A involved a slalom to see how agile the cars were, and then having to brake between the final two cones. Test B was an acceleration and braking maneouvre and Test C was a braking and reversing test involving straddling and astriding between lines to test the skills of the driver.
The auto tests consisted of one section in the morning and then one again in the afternoon, alongside the owners being timed and scored to receive the Pomeroy Trophy.
One opportunity that you can’t turn down is a parade lap of the full Silverstone circuit. This is what happened half way through the day with no drivers allowed to overtake but enjoyed a warm up lap, a pedal-to-the-metal lap and then a cool-down lap. This leads us back to the question of why other car manufacturers aren’t offering this to their customers?
Cars lined up ready to go out on track
I certainly would recommend it to other manufacturers, because it makes customers appreciate the company more which in return leads the customer back to that showroom to buy again in the future. Toyota as a brand have just boosted their image even higher on the customer satisfaction survey. Simply giving something back to the customer on days like this is what all manufactures should be doing – excellent work Toyota.
Cars lined up ready to go out on track
Rounding off the day, the event concluded with the results with everyone receiving a Vintage Sports Car Club Pomeroy Tankard with the competitors names engraved in the cup – the winner recieved a large tankard.
The event finished around 4pm, competitors decided to make a move, but be sure that Toyota will be doing another event like this in the near future.
Elderly drivers, we see them coming along a busy road and we pull out as soon as possible! Due to their age we think that they are going to be slow, unpredictable and dangerous, but is that the case?
Hanging up the car keys
We’ve all heard those stories! The old man in his K registered brown Rover going the wrong way around Sainsbury’s roundabout or the old lady driving up the wrong way of the motorway. People over the age of 70 are at a higher risk of causing road accidents, deaths and casualties due to poor eye sight, lack of judgement, speed, concentration and hearing.
Last month saw the accident involving the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip. The pictures told the story with his Land Rover Freelander on its side. But we may forget that the Duke of Edinburgh is 97-years-old! Is that too old to be driving a vehicle? Should it be that it takes an accident like this where a innocent persons life was in danger before the individual realises their driving skills are not as good as they once were? Luckily since the accident, Prince Philip has retired from driving, but in July 2017 figures suggest that 108,777 drivers in the UK are over the age of 90 which is a very high number.
Re-taking a driving test
Is there a solution? Or is it a good idea to force people over the age of 70 to have a refresher course to see if they are still capable of driving safely?
In conversation with my grand parents Kenneth and Gloria Richards, they are very capable and observant drivers. Being the ages of 89 and 83 years of age, I asked a few questions on what they thought about elderly drivers and whether they agree on any restrictions and enforcement’s.
Q’s
Do you think if a person is too old to be driving it should be down to the individual. Or should it be down to the government and relatives to decide?
”It should be down to the individual, we are not all the same. Some people of an age should be straight off the road but some others not at all. Some are more capable than others”.
As drivers of an older generation, do you feel that people over the age of 70 should have a refresher test or re-test for their license?
”Yes. We do think people over 70 do forget things, they are a bit inclined to think that they are better than they are and should be checked. That goes for us too”.
Do you think that both of your driving skills have got worse over the last couple of years?
My Grandmother went onto to say, ”No we think both of our driving levels have stayed the same, your grandfathers reflexes are still the same and his observation is just as good as it was 20 years ago”
Not all elderly drivers are dangerous. Some are very good in fact, but the problem is that taking advice and having a possible refresher course could be vital for some. It would make elderly people realise if their driving isn’t safe or up to speed whether they should continue driving or not. In the UK it is still up to the driver on whether it is time to hang up the keys. But should there be intervention from the Government (DVLA) or family members, to make that decision?
When you’re a student, it can be tricky to get on the road at an affordable price. Take into account tax, petrol, maintenance and insurance, car ownership is quite simply, a financial nightmare. However, if you set yourself a realistic budget and stick to it, there are several cars that you can get behind the wheel of, building your way onto the car ownership ladder. They are…
Toyota Yaris (1999-2005)
The first iteration of Toyota’s supermini was a ground-breaking car. Great looks, economical engines, bulletproof reliability, durability and quality, the Yaris was certainly a car that you can trust as well as enjoy owning. Its oddball design may not be to everyone’s taste, but that’s what makes the Yaris left-field; a sensible choice among buyers. The interior looked as though it had been designed from the next century, with curves and a centrally-mounted digital dashboard made the Yaris extremely futuristic compared to the competition. A clever sliding rear seat to increase boot space or legroom also benefits the Yaris in being one of the most ingenious small cars around. Added to that, punchy 1.0-litre, 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) petrol engines gives decent economy while delivering decent power. (Insurance group: 5 for a 1.0 T Spirit model)
The first-generation Yaris is one of the best small cars around. (Toyota)
Honda Jazz (2001-2008)
The Honda Jazz, like the Toyota Yaris, is an extremely reliable and sensible choice for young car buyers. Practicality is the main priority with the Jazz, a standard five-door body style, as well as having one of the biggest boots in the small car sector; managing to swallow a bicycle. The Jazz certainly won’t disappoint in the space department, however the Jazz’s overall design may put young people off because of the boxy shape and tall roof line, but if you ignore that, than the Jazz should be at the top of any student’s car shopping list, because if you want a practical, reliable cheap car, the Jazz is in a class of its own. (Insurance Group: 12 for a 1.2-litre S model)
The Honda Jazz is a very practical choice. (Honda)
Nissan Micra (2002-2010)
If you want a car big on technology, the Nissan Micra has a Mercedes-Benz in its sights. Models built between 2002-2010 were the third generation, and personally speaking, one of the best Micras ever produced. If you want automatic air condoning, keyless entry, parking sensors and automatic headlights, the Micra can offer all of that for less that £1,500. If you go for an SE model, you will be able to find all of that equipment for around £1,300. Furthermore, its cute looks and clever sliding rear seat, the Micra is a great all-round cheap car for students. (Insurance group: 6 for a 1.0-litre E model)
The Nissan Micra K12 was built in Sunderland, UK. (Nissan)
Mitsubishi Colt (2004-2013)
The Mitsubishi Colt has always been a very affordable proposition, as well as great engines and a spacious cabin, the Colt is all about the simplicity of car ownership; getting you from A to B with the smallest amount of fuss. The interior quality may not be the best with scratchy hard, brittle plastics scattered everywhere, but you have to look beyond that with the Colt and see it for being an extremely cheap car to insure, which for a student is more important than anything else with the 1.1-litre CZ1 model sitting in insurance group 10. (Insurance group: 10 for a 1.1-litre CZ1 model)
The Colt is a sensible choice. (Mitsubishi)
Mazda2 (2003-2007)
The Mazda2 is basically a Ford Fiesta underneath, but don’t let that put you off. The Mazda 2 was Mazda’s first proper small car sold in Europe. It demonstrated that small cars, like the Toyota Yaris and Honda Jazz, could be practical. Like the Jazz, the Mazda2 has a high roof line and boxy shape to give occupants inside the most possible space, as well as economical engines make the Mazda2 a really easy car to drive and live with, and because it’s Japanese, it certainly won’t be an endless money pit. (Insurance group: 7 for a 1.25-litre S model)
The Mazda2 is a left-field option. (Mazda)
Toyota Aygo (2005-2014)
Built in conjunction with Citroen and Peugeot, the Toyota Aygo makes the top 10 because of its rock-bottom running costs. It will cost £30 a year in road tax; it can deliver a fuel economy figure of 60mpg, while Sport and Active Plus models sit in insurance group two. Any student will really appreciate the running costs of the Toyota Aygo, plus it has plenty of equipment such as a USB port and auxiliary cables, so young drivers can hook up their music to the car’s stereo. It’s also offered in a choice of bold colours and decals to make everyone’s Aygo stand out from the rest of the crowd. (Insurance group: 2 for a 1.0-litre Fire model)
The Aygo provides ultra-low running costs. (Toyota)
Ford Fiesta (2002-2008)
A nation’s favourite, with the current Fiesta at the top of the best-sellers list and it’s easy to see why. Affordable pricing, good looks and cheap insurance means the Ford Fiesta is still one of the best cars for students, especially if you just want a no nonsense state of the art car. Available with either a three or five-door body styles, the Fiesta offers a lot for the younger driver with sporty models such as Zetec S which add a touch of enhanced styling while keeping small engines to keep insurance groups at bay. (Insurance group: 5 for a 1.3-litre Finesse model)
The Fiesta is a great small car. (Ford)
Volkswagen Polo (2001-2009
It maybe a tad boring, but the Volkswagen Polo is a dependable solid car that will deliver a comfortable driving experience. The looks might not get your hearts racing or the interior which is about as grey as a businessman’s suit. Overlooking those negatives and the Polo is a very good car. The engines maybe weedy, but they provide low insurance and impressive fuel economy and the Polo has a big-car feel which will encourage and give the driver full peace of mind when behind the wheel. (Insurance group: 5 for a 1.2-litre Twist model)
The Polo is a sturdy and practical first car. (Volkswagen)
Hyundai Getz (2002-2008)
Not a popular choice, but it’s certainly a wise one. The Hyundai Getz was one of the best cars to come out of Korean back in the mid 00s due to its European design, decent ride, handling and affordable pricing. The 1.1-litre and 1.3-litre petrol engines are powerful enough while retaining fantastic fuel economy, and because it’s a Hyundai; it comes with reliability built in as standard. Also the flagship CDX trim comes with a sunroof, air conditioning and four electric windows. (Insurance group: 9 for a 1.1-litre CDX)
The Hyundai Getz changed the brand’s image. (Hyundai)
Honda Civic (2001-2006)
A Japanese car built in the UK, Swindon precisely. The Honda Civic like any other Japanese car has legendary reliability, alongside excellent customer care. The Civic brings a touch of perceived quality in a practical hatchback body. A smooth range of engines and comfortable driving experience puts the Civic at the top of the list for those looking for an easy-to-drive and practical car. The three-door model is a better looking car than the five-door, but all models come lavishly equipped, and even top-specified variants such as the SE Executive come with a full leather interior. The Honda Civic is a great car for a student looking for something a little different from the small hatchback class. (Insurance group: 9 for a 1.4-litre Vision model)
The Honda Civic is good to drive and spacious. (Honda)
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